The Blue Jays are still in the hunt, and this weekend in Kansas City could go a long way toward deciding just how real that chase is.
Toronto heads into its series against the Royals tied with the Texas Rangers at 70-71, sitting within half a game of the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League playoff berth after taking the last two games of its trip-opening set in Cleveland. The Blue Jays opened that road swing with a loss, then steadied themselves just enough to keep the wild-card race tight as they move on to the second stop of the trip.
Now comes a three-game set against a Royals club Toronto already saw at home in August, when Kansas City took two of three. The Blue Jays are looking for a cleaner result this time around, and with the standings packed the way they are, this feels like one of those series that carries more weight than the calendar suggests.
John Schneider’s club will start with a pair of veterans on the mound. Friday night brings Jameson Taillon, who is 2-6 with a 5.68 ERA, against Daniel Lynch, who enters at 4-4 with a 3.06 ERA.
First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. On Saturday, it’s Max Scherzer, 2-7 with a 6.16 ERA, against Seth Lugo, 6-8 with a 5.03 ERA, at 7:10 p.m.
Sunday’s matchup is still listed as TBD for Toronto, while Randy Dobnak, 2-3 with a 2.65 ERA, is scheduled to start for Kansas City at 2:10 p.m.
Taillon’s outing will be watched closely after his return from the injured list with right forearm tendinitis. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, he is expected to work under a pitch count, which could matter later in the series with the Blue Jays still waiting to name a starter for the finale.
Scherzer’s start looms as another key moment. The 42-year-old was solid against the Royals last month, throwing five innings and giving up four hits and two runs. He also looked sharp in his most recent outing, working seven innings against the Seattle Mariners last weekend, allowing one run and striking out 10.
Kansas City comes into the series after playing spoiler against the Miami Marlins, avoiding a sweep and handing Miami a loss Thursday night that left the Marlins three games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League wild-card race.
For Toronto, the math is simple. The Blue Jays are still very much alive in the race for the third and final wild-card spot, but anything less than taking two of three from the Royals would leave this weekend feeling like a missed chance.
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