After last night's victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the Toronto Blue Jays have guaranteed themselves a spot in the postseason for the first time in over 20 years, which snaps the MLB's longest such streak.
Toronto leads the New York Yankees by four games in the AL East and have all but clinched the division title, but as of this morning the numbers have been crunched and it was determined the Blue Jays are guaranteed at least a wild-card spot.
"Though the Blue Jays' mathematical magic number remains at 1 to clinch at least the second American League wild-card spot, that one loss by teams contending with Toronto is guaranteed to happen because of the remaining head-to-head schedules of the three AL West contenders (Texas Rangers, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels)," according to ESPN.
Playoff bound! The @BlueJays are heading to the postseason https://t.co/0MCQXylqky #ComeTogether pic.twitter.com/vvWSVxzuv6
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 26, 2015
The Blue Jays' worst possible record is 88-74, and that's if they lose their final nine games of the season. They're currently finishing a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays and will have a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles next week before they close out the season against the Rays again.
"The Astros and Angels already have 74 losses, and if both win out, the Rangers (currently 84-69) will have at least 75 losses. If the Blue Jays and two AL West teams all finish 88-74, the AL West teams would play off for the division title, and the loser would be a wild card along with Toronto."
Toronto last made the playoffs in 1993, which was also the last time they clinched a division title and won the World Series. After the Blue Jays were found to have clinched a postseason berth earlier today, the Seattle Mariners now have the longest current playoff drought in the MLB as this year will be their 14th straight without making the postseason.
According to Bovada Sportsbook, the Blue Jays are the favorites to win the World Series at 4-1 odds after the updated future lines were released this week.
