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 Toronto Blue Jays fell to the New York Yankees on Tuesday in the second of a three-game set, cutting their division lead to 2.5 games. The Blue Jays battled hard, with Dioner Navarro tying the contest on a solo homer in the bottom of the ninth off Yankees closer Andrew Miller, before Greg Bird’s three-run shot in the next frame ultimately sealed it for the Bronx Bombers.
With the Kansas City Royals losing to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, the Blue Jays remain 1.5 games behind in the race for top spot in the American League. Toronto sends Marcus Stroman to the mound on Wednesday looking to drive one last stake into his hometown team in the last regular-season meeting between the clubs.
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros
ALDS
Kansas City Royals vs. New York Yankees OR Houston Astros
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers
Kansas City Royals
Last night: Cano, Mariners hand Royals 12th loss in last 17 games
Next up: Game 2 vs. Mariners
Pitching matchup: Roenis Elias vs. Yordano Ventura
Toronto Blue Jays
Last night: Bird’s 3-run HR in 10th powers Yankees past Blue Jays
Next up: Game 3 vs. Yankees
Pitching matchup: Ivan Nova vs. Marcus Stroman
Texas Rangers
Last night: Rangers rally past A’s to extend AL West lead
Next up: Game 2 vs. Athletics
Pitching matchup: Colby Lewis vs. Felix Doubront
New York Yankees
Last night: Bird’s 3-run HR in 10th powers Yankees past Blue Jays
Next up: Game 3 vs. Blue Jays
Pitching matchup: Ivan Nova vs. Marcus Stroman
Houston Astros
Last night: Trout, Pujols homer as Angels beat Astros, gain ground on wild card
Next up: Game 3 vs. Angels
Pitching matchup: Nick Tropeano vs. Mike Fiers
Minnesota Twins
Last night: Santana helps Twins start key series right with win vs. Indians
Next up: Game 2 vs. Indians
Pitching matchup: Corey Kluber vs. Phil Hughes
Los Angeles Angels
Last night: Trout, Pujols homer as Angels beat Astros, gain ground on wild card
Next up: Game 3 vs. Astros
Pitching matchup: Nick Tropeano vs. Mike Fiers
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: Lackey pitches 7 strong innings, Pham drives in 2 runs to lead Cardinals over Reds 3-1
Next up: Game 3 vs. Reds
Pitching matchup: Brandon Finnegan vs. Lance Lynn
Los Angeles Dodgers
Last night: Ray stymies Dodgers through 6 in D-backs’ 8-0 win, Pollock and Goldschmidt homer back-to-back
Next up: Game 3 vs. Diamondbacks
Pitching matchup: Chase Anderson vs. Zack Greinke
New York Mets
Last night: Wisler, Braves stall Mets’ push toward NL East title
Next up: Game 3 vs. Braves
Pitching matchup: Williams Perez vs. Bartolo Colon
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last night: Pirates beat Rockies to close in on 3rd straight playoff berth
Next up: Game 3 vs. Rockies
Pitching matchup: Charlie Morton vs. Christian Bergman
Chicago Cubs
Last night: Arrieta becomes first in MLB to 20 wins, Cubs beat Brewers
Next up: Game 3 vs. Brewers
Pitching matchup: Zach Davies vs. Kyle Hendricks
