The Toronto Blue Jays have the chance to end MLB’s longest playoff drought over the weekend when they host the Tampa Bay Rays for their final regular season home series of 2015.
But considering who’s on the mound for Tampa Bay, the Blue Jays have a challenge ahead. Here’s what to watch for …
LISTEN: Jeff Blair and Ben Nicholson-Smith on Baseball Central
Friday, Sept. 25 – 7:07 p.m. ET
R.A. Dickey vs. Jake Odorizzi
Saturday, Sept. 26 – 1:07 p.m. ET
David Price vs. Chris Archer
Sunday, Sept. 27 – 1:07 p.m. ET
Mark Buehrle vs. Matt Andriese
Champagne on ice
The Blue Jays can officially clinch a playoff spot as soon as Friday, but they’ll need some help. If the Blue Jays win and the Twins and Angels lose, Toronto will reach the postseason for the first time in 22 years.
The AL East is also within reach for the Blue Jays, who now have a magic number of eight to clinch the division. How would they celebrate? Jeff Blair weighed in on that topic earlier in the week.
Price vs. former team
David Price will face his former team for the third time ever on Saturday, when he opposes Chris Archer in a matchup of Cy Young candidates. The Rays, who drafted Price first overall in 2007, managed just one hit when they faced him in August of 2014, striking out nine times. But the left-hander faltered against Tampa Bay in 2015, allowing five earned runs in six innings in his final start for the Detroit Tigers.
Realistically, though, Price seems well-positioned to come through with another impressive start. He’s been pitching as effectively as ever of late, with a 1.95 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 10 starts with Toronto, and Tampa Bay ranks 27th in MLB with just 595 runs scored.
Shutdown relief
On June 21, Brett Cecil had a 5.91 ERA. But since then the left-hander has been utterly dominant with 38 strikeouts in 28 innings for a 0.00 ERA.
“Not too many guys are getting good swings off of him,” catcher Russell Martin says. “He’s working that two-seamer in on the hands of lefties, he’s got that devastating 86 mph breaking ball. Just that combo right there makes a really tough at bat.”
Some of Cecil’s success comes from his willingness to throw his curveball at any time. Martin considers the pitch a real weapon and Marcus Stroman even suggested it might be the best pitch in all of baseball.
A remaining question
The Blue Jays have a strong roster featuring an elite offence, a suddenly-impressive rotation and some shutdown relievers. This is an excellent team.
But it’s not perfect, particularly when it comes to left-handed relief. Cecil has been phenomenal, but on nights he’s unavailable or has already been used, the Blue Jays lack strong alternatives. Aaron Loup has run into some bad luck, and will presumably earn consideration for a potential postseason roster, but the Blue Jays don’t have as much confidence in him as they once did, particularly against right-handed hitters.
Pillar producing
Kevin Pillar produced in all facets of the game against the New York Yankees this week with four hits, including a home run, a walk and three stolen bases. The 26-year-old has made a difference on defence all year, but he wants to be a multi-dimensional player.
“That’s my goal: to go out there and for people to say he’s a good baseball player, not just a good defender or he runs the bases well, but to go out there and try to be the best player on the field every day,” Pillar says. “That’s my goal and everything’s starting to come together.”
Considering Pillar didn’t have a guaranteed job on the roster entering spring training, the Blue Jays are getting far more than they bargained for.
