Why the Toronto Blue Jays Will Make the Postseason

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Labour Day is right around the corner, which can only mean one thing in MLB: crunch time. Clubs have no more leeway, no more margin for error. In just about a month from now, teams that aspire to make the postseason will know whether they have or haven’t. That includes the Toronto Blue Jays.

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The Toronto Blue Jays…Will Make the Playoffs

On the surface, it sounds like a simple question. Will the Toronto Blue Jays make the postseason, yes or no? But then there is strength of schedule, injuries, recent performances, and a host of other factors to consider. Given the Seattle Mariners’ recent surge and the Blue Jays’ struggles, some fans may be tempted to press the panic button.

Bastl lobs up the query for John Gibbons. What says the former Jays manager?

“Yeah, I think so. They have the best pitching out of any of the teams right in the hunt. There’s no reason why they can’t reel off 20 games. They’re good enough to do that.”

To back up “Gibby’s” argument, Toronto is indeed equipped with a stellar pitching staff, and that’s despite Alek Manoah’s struggles this season. Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi are all putting up strong numbers. Chris Bassitt’s ERA is a little high at 4.00, but he wins most of his starts (12-7).

Moreover, as Gibbons points out, really good teams find ways to win when it matters, such as in September when division and Wild Card races heat up. If the Blue Jays really are good, then they should be able to seal the deal.

Consequences of Missing the Postseason in Toronto

It isn’t because the Toronto Blue Jays are in the thick of it and possess a good rotation that they’ll be playing meaningful October baseball. But after all winter and spring hype, surely there will be a price to pay if the Jays finish on the outside looking in. What would Mark Shapiro (CEO) and Ross Atkins (GM) do? Would they be in trouble?

“Obviously they’re going to have to make some changes. They’ll (Shapiro, Atkins) take a lot of heat, there’s no doubt about it.”

John Gibbons reminds fans that hope and confidence should not waiver. Anything is possible. He brings up the 2016 campaign when he managed the club and a win on the final day of the season in Boston versus the Red Sox was required to make the playoffs and they pulled it off.

“Maybe they have a good strong month, play hard, and get into the playoffs. Stick by your boys. They’re not the Maple Leafs! Stick by them!”