The MLB playoff push is our daily look back and ahead at the post-season picture as teams position themselves for October.
Latest on the Blue Jays: The Toronto Blue Jays capped a weekend full of celebrations by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. Josh Donaldson played the hero with a walk-off homer in the ninth inning of that game, which came a day after the Blue Jays’ epic clubhouse party feting a berth in the playoffs.
Toronto still sits ahead of the Kansas City Royals in the race for No. 1 spot in the American League, a desirable prize that would ensure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Though the clubs own the same record, the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker.
The Royals defeated the Cleveland Indians on Sunday and now head to Chicago for a makeup game with the Cubs. Meanwhile, Toronto opens a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
On the AL East front, the Blue Jays’ magic number to clinch the division is four.
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros
ALDS
Toronto Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees OR Houston Astros
Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers
Toronto Blue Jays
Last night: Donaldson’s walk-off homer lifts Blue Jays to sweep of Rays
Next up: Game 1 vs. Orioles
Pitching matchup: Marco Estrada vs. Chris Tillman
Kansas City Royals
Last night: Royals beat Indians to keep pace with Blue Jays atop AL
Next up: Makeup game vs. Cubs
Pitching matchup: Yordano Ventura vs. Kyle Hendricks
Texas Rangers
Last night: Keuchel improves to 15-0 at home in Astros’ win vs. Rangers
Next up: Game 1 vs. Tigers
Pitching matchup: Justin Verlander vs. Colby Lewis
New York Yankees
Last night: Yankees top White Sox, one win away from 10,000
Next up: Game 1 vs. Red Sox
Pitching matchup: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Ivan Nova
Houston Astros
Last night: Keuchel improves to 15-0 at home in Astros’ win vs. Rangers
Next up: Game 1 vs. Mariners
Pitching matchup: Lance McCullers vs. Roenis Elias
Los Angeles Angels
Last night: Surging Angels complete sweep of Mariners for 5th straight win
Next up: Game 1 vs. Athletics
Pitching matchup: Felix Doubront vs. Hector Santiago
Minnesota Twins
Last night: Buxton powers Twins to crucial win over Tigers
Next up: Game 1 vs. Twins
Pitching matchup: Phil Hughes vs. Corey Kluber
If the playoffs started today…
Wild Card
Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
NLDS
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates OR Chicago Cubs
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. New York Mets
St. Louis Cardinals
Last night: Rogers hits grand slam in 9th as Brewers rally past Cardinals
Next up: Game 1 vs. Pirates
Pitching matchup: Lance Lynn vs. J.A. Happ
New York Mets
Last night: DeGrom, makeshift lineup for NL East champion Mets finish season sweep of Reds with 8-1 win
Next up: Day off
Pitching matchup: Day off
Los Angeles Dodgers
Last night: Nolan Arenado hits 3-run homer as Rockies sweep Dodgers with 12-5 win
Next up: Game 1 vs. Giants
Pitching matchup: Zack Greinke vs. Jake Peavy
Pittsburgh Pirates
Last night: Arrieta perfect into 7th in 21st win as Cubs beat Pirates
Next up: Game 1 vs. Cardinals
Pitching matchup: Lance Lynn vs. J.A. Happ
Chicago Cubs
Last night: Arrieta perfect into 7th in 21st win as Cubs beat Pirates
Next up: Makeup game vs. Royals
Pitching matchup: Yordano Ventura vs. Kyle Hendricks
