The MLB playoff push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for October.
Latest on the Blue Jays: The Blue Jays’ hopes of celebrating a division title were temporarily halted when Tuesday’s game in Baltimore was postponed due to rain. But the night still proved fruitful for the club, as the Royals and Yankees suffered losses.
This means Toronto now holds a 1.5-game lead over Kansas City in the race for the American League’s top spot. The New York defeat drops the Blue Jays’ AL East magic number to one.
Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will look to secure that clinching win in the first game of a doubleheader against the Orioles on Wednesday. R.A. Dickey goes in Game 2.
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Angels
ALDS
Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees OR Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Last night: Postponed (rain)
Next up: Games 2, 3 vs. Orioles
Pitching matchups: Marcus Stroman vs. Miguel Gonzalez; R.A. Dickey vs. Kevin Gausman
Kansas City Royals
Last night: Royals fall to White Sox for 4th loss in last 5 games
Next up: Game 2 vs. White Sox
Pitching matchup: Edinson Volquez vs. Jose Quintana
Texas Rangers
Last night: Rangers snap three-game skid with win over Tigers
Next up: Game 3 vs. Tigers
Pitching matchup: Matt Boyd vs. Yovani Gallardo
New York Yankees
Last night: Blue Jays’ magic number down to 1 after Yankees’ loss to Red Sox
Next up: Game 3 vs. Red Sox
Pitching matchup: Wade Miley vs. Masahiro Tanaka
Los Angeles Angels
Last night: Pujols, Angels crush Athletics for seventh straight win
Next up: Game 3 vs. Athletics
Pitching matchup: Barry Zito vs. Garrett Richards
Houston Astros
Last night: Astros’ playoff pursuit damaged after falling to Mariners
Next up: Game 3 vs. Mariners
Pitching matchup: Scott Kazmir vs. TBD
Minnesota Twins
Last night: Postponed (rain)
Next up: Games 2, 3 vs. Indians
Pitching matchup: Kyle Gibson vs. Carlos Carrasco; Mike Pelfrey vs. Cody Anderson
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NLDS
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates OR Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets
St. Louis Cardinals
Last night: Postponed (rain)
Next up: Game 2, 3 vs. Pirates
Pitching matchup: Michael Wacha vs. Gerrit Cole; Tyler Lyons vs. Charlie Morton
New York Mets
Last night: Ruf delivers decisive blow as Phillies snap Mets’ winning streak
Next up: Game 2 vs. Phillies
Pitching matchup: Logan Verrett vs. Alec Asher
Los Angeles Dodgers
Last night: Kershaw pitches Dodgers to third straight NL West crown
Next up: Game 3 vs. Giants
Pitching matchup: Mike Bolsinger vs. Mike Leake
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last night: Postponed (rain)
Next up: Games 2, 3 vs. Cardinals
Pitching matchup: Michael Wacha vs. Gerrit Cole; Tyler Lyons vs. Charlie Morton
Chicago Cubs
Last night: Four-run first-inning all Cubs need to topple Reds
Next up: Game 2 vs. Reds
Pitching matchup: Jon Lester vs. Anthony DeSclafani
