The Toronto Blue Jays are in a close race with the Cleveland Guardians for the final wild-card spot in the American League. Both teams have an equal number of wins with Toronto at 70-71 and Cleveland at 70-70. The Guardians have a double-header against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, giving them a chance to pull ahead.
If the Guardians win both games, they will finish the day with a record of 72-70. Toronto, on the other hand, can only reach 71-71 by securing a victory against the Kansas City Royals, aiming to reach the .500 mark for the first time since June.
The competition for the third AL wild-card spot is intense, with the Blue Jays, Guardians, and several other teams vying for the coveted position.
In a recent three-game series, the Blue Jays emerged victorious over the Guardians, winning two out of three games, including a 6-3 triumph on Thursday. Toronto is now set to begin a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, with 21 regular-season games left to play as they strive to stay in the playoff contention.
In the American League, a total of six teams will advance to the post-season, including three division winners and three wild-card teams with the best records. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox currently hold two of those wild-card spots, while the Texas Rangers’ recent win has kept them on par with the Blue Jays at 70-71.
On the other hand, the Baltimore Orioles suffered a loss to Boston, leaving them with a 69-72 season record. The outcome of Friday’s games will be crucial for both the Blue Jays and the Guardians as they continue their pursuit of a playoff berth.