Big Series Ahead for Blue Jays Coming off a Much-Needed Sweep

The Blue Jays start a big series on Tuesday on the road, facing a Cleveland Guardians team they are chasing for the last American League Wild Card.

Toronto needs to finish strong to make the postseason, and after losing three of four games, they really helped their cause in their last series with a sweep over the visiting Seattle Mariners.

Not Alone in Chasing the Guardians 

The Blue Jays are one of four teams that are within 3.5 games of the Guardians for the last Wild Card. Heading into Monday’s action, the Baltimore Orioles are a half-game back, the Blue Jays and the Texas Rangers are 1.5 games back, and the Minnesota Twins are 3.5 games back.

Tuesday’s game against the Guardians will be Toronto’s first of a nine-game road trip. One thing the Jays have in their favour is that the Cleveland series is the last of the season facing a team that currently has a winning record, and even they are only one game over .500.

In the first half at home, the Blue Jays won two of three games facing the Guardians.

Home Sweep Was Needed 

The Blue Jays’ playoff hopes were bolstered in their last series when they swept the Seattle Mariners, outscoring them 19-4 in the three games.

In the last game of the series, Max Scherzer harkened back to his days as a three-time Cy Young winner, tossing seven scoreless innings and striking out 10 in the 7-0 win. He only gave up one hit in the game; two relievers did not give up any hits, and the future first-ballot Hall of Famer moved into ninth place on the all-time strikeout list.

Like the sweep, Scherzer’s sharp outing was also needed to aid a pitching staff that has been beset by injuries to starters and has had an overworked bullpen.

It's difficult to believe that the team that came within one win of a World Series title last season is still in the playoff hunt despite being under .500 and in the basement of the AL East. However, that is where the Blue Jays stand on the first day of September, as they enter a big road series against the team they are chasing for the last Wild Card.

Toronto Not Getting Much Love from Oddsmakers 

Anything can happen in the playoffs if the Blue Jays even make it, but, not surprisingly, oddsmakers are not giving them much love. At Sports Interaction, they are longshots to win the World Series (+5000) and the AL Pennant (+1900).