Here's how the Toronto Blue Jays can clinch a playoff spot on Friday night
The Toronto Blue Jays are getting closer and closer to punching their ticket to the postseason.
The Jays have put together a surprisingly successful 2025 season, as their 89-64 record leads the AL East Division with only nine games to go.
It’s been rather obvious for some time that the Jays would get back into the playoffs this year, though when they would officially punch their ticket remained unknown. All of a sudden, the opportunity to do so has arrived.
The Blue Jays are in action Friday night for the first of a three-game series versus the Kansas City Royals. Though a loss on Thursday hurt their chances, there is a possibility that, with a win over the Royals on Friday, the Jays will have officially clinched.
Not only do the Blue Jays need to defeat the Royals in the opening game of their series, but they will also need some help. Three other teams the Jays are keeping a close eye on are the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians, and Detroit Tigers, who are also in action.
The Red Sox are going up against the Tampa Bay Rays, while the Guardians are set to play the Minnesota Twins. Last, but certainly not least, are the Tigers, who will be playing the Atlanta Braves.
In order for the Blue Jays to clinch on Friday night, they not only need to defeat the Royals but will also need two of the three teams mentioned to lose their respective outings. The Red Sox currently hold the final wild-card spot, while the Tigers are second in the AL with an 85-68 record. The Guardians, on the other hand, sit 1.5 games back of the Red Sox for a wild-card position.
Current MLB standings
Should the Blue Jays not only win but get the help they need on the out-of-town scoreboard, they would be the fourth team to clinch a playoff spot. The first three teams to do so have been the Milwaukee Brewers (94-59), the Philadelphia Phillies (91-62), and the Chicago Cubs (88-65).
As far as winning the AL East is concerned, the Jays have a three-game lead over the New York Yankees, who sit at 86-67. The Yankees will also be in action tonight, taking on the Baltimore Orioles in the second of a four-game series.