°Õ³ó±ðÌýBlue Jays will be looking to get one step closer to the post-season when their four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays continues Wednesday night at Steinbrenner Field.
Umpires rule that a Rays three-run home run in the third inning would have been a home run either way, despite fan interference on the play. The
The magic number to clinch the American League East division title is six. The magic number to guarantee a spot in the post-season is three. With a win on Wednesday and a bit of luck with the out-of-town scoreboard, the Jays could punch their ticket to the playoffs as early as Thursday.
Here’s what you need to know as the Jays also attempt to extend their winning streak to seven games:
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Game 3 preview
Kevin Gausman will continue to make the case that he should be the Jays’ Game 1 starter in the playoffs with this outing. Gausman has been the Jays’ best pitcher for the better part of three months with 87 strikeouts and a 2.36 ERA across his last 91 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old is in the mix to enter the playoffs as the “ace” but he still faces competition from recent addition Shane Bieber.
Gausman hasn’t pitched against the Rays since his mid-season turnaround began. The last time he pitched against them was May 15 when he allowed six runs on 10 hits across 5 2/3 innings. His ERA back then was 4.59 and it has since been trimmed to 3.44. Gausman enters this outing on a roll having allowed just two earned runs over his last 24 innings, which includes a complete-game shutout vs. the Houston Astros on Sept. 11.
The Rays will counter with lefty Ian Seymour. The 26-year-old rookie made his big-league debut earlier this season as a reliever and he has since transitioned to the rotation. In four starts, Seymour allowed five earned runs while striking out 26 across 19 1/3 innings. His longest outing was 5 1/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox on Sept. 11 and he has yet to face the Jays.
With a lefty on the mound, changes to the Jays’ lineup should be expected. Ty France figures to get a start, either at first base or designated hitter, while Davis Schneider, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Myles Straw are among those who should see action as well. The Jays are 23-13 against left-handed starters this season.
There’s a chance that º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøcould clinch the AL East on Friday, and that road game against the
Looking ahead
The Jays finish their last regular-season road series in Kansas City against the Royals starting Friday. The Royals are out of the playoff picture with a 75-76 record entering Wednesday.
Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the
Star. Follow him on Twitter: or reach him via email: gchisholm@thestar.ca.
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