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The Blue Jays’ starting rotation could hurt them in October

The Toronto Blue Jays finally officially clinched a playoff spot yesterday afternoon (Sunday), and the Toronto outfit will now be looking to win the American League’s Eastern Section title.

It’s been a great year for the Canadiens, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

And it won’t be easy. The Blue Jays haven’t won a game at the fall dance since 2016, and things are likely to get complicated again in October, not least because of the starting rotation.

Indeed, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, the Jays have one of the worst starting pitching corps of any team currently in the playoff picture.

It’s a bit surprising to see the Blue Jays’ starting rotation so low on this list, but the reasoning behind it is that they’re missing an ace pitcher in 2025, and the frequency with which a team is likely to use its pitchers one and two in a series has a lot of impact.

When you look at some of the other lineups expected to participate in October baseball in the American League, there are names like Tarik Skubal, Max Fried, Garrett Crochet, Bryan Woo and Hunter Brown surfacing, to name but a few, that are far superior to Kevin Gausman, Max Sherzer and Trey Yesavage (for now in the case of the latter).

At the trade deadline, Toronto attempted to remedy this shortcoming by adding former AHL Cy Young Trophy winner Shane Bieber to their ranks, even though he was recovering from Tommy John-type surgery.

In six starts, Bieber posted a 3.57 earned-run average and just under one strikeout per inning pitched. The right-hander’s numbers are solid, but they’re not at the level of an ace pitcher.

With Jose Berrios and Eric Lauer in the bullpen in addition to Chris Bassitt in the infirmary, the Jays’ starting rotation will be tested more often than not in the coming days.

And it’s not as if the relief bullpen inspires much more confidence.

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A.J. Hinch refuses to push the panic button

Back in July, the Detroit Tigers held a fourteen-game lead at the top of the American League’s Central Section and had a fifteen-and-a-half-game cushion over the Cleveland Guardians, who at the time were in third place in the division.

But since then, the toothless Tigers have been concocting one of the worst collapses in MLB history.

Detroit was swept by the Atlanta Braves yesterday (Sunday), suffering its sixth straight loss and ninth setback in its last ten games. Fortunately for the Tigers, Cleveland lost to the Minnesota Twins, ending an excellent run of ten consecutive wins and fifteen victories from their last sixteen duels.

The Tigers’ ten-and-a-half-game lead over the Guardians at the beginning of September has suddenly evaporated and is currently one game down with six to play.

Yet manager A.J. Hinch refuses to push the panic button.

I don’t see our guys giving up, I don’t see our guys down, I don’t see our guys pouting, I don’t see our guys conceding anything. And we shouldn’t. I want to remind everyone that we’re a first-place team, and right now, it’s hard for everyone to see us that way. We’re in control of our own destiny, and we have the opportunity to face the Guardians in a three-game series.

Hinch certainly has a point, the good news for the Tigers being that they still control their destiny with a three-game series against the Guardians starting on Tuesday. Ace pitcher and American League Cy Young Trophy favorite Tarik Skubal should get the start in Game 1 of the series.

But let’s just say there’s a sense of urgency in the Motor City.

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Mets not in playoffs as we speak

Right now, there are three clubs in the news for all the wrong reasons: the Mets, Astros and Tigers. The teams are in the midst of a spectacular drop in the standings.

And for the Mets, who have a payroll of $340 million this year, it’s particularly catastrophic.

As we speak, the Cincinnati Reds have the same record as the Mets. But since the Reds have the tie-breaking advantage, the Mets are behind in the standings.

Let’s put it this way: if the series started today, the Mets would be out.

MLB

Tito Francona’s Reds currently control their destiny, which is an absolutely fascinating outcome one week before the playoffs. It’s all got to come to a head in New York, doesn’t it?

And what about the Diamondbacks, who are a game behind the Mets and have the tie-breaking lead? They, too, can hope to sneak into the playoffs.

The Padres are one game away from confirming their playoff spot (it could be as early as tonight), which means there’s only one spot left in the Nationals. And clearly, it’s going to be hard-fought in the corners.

Let’s just say it’s more open in the American, where only the Blue Jays are guaranteed to make the playoffs.

MLB

The Tigers watched the Guardians lose yesterday, which means they remain one game ahead in the division. But nothing’s decided yet, and the club is definitely at risk of missing the playoffs.

But even if the Guardians don’t beat the Tigers in the division, the playoffs are within reach.

The fact that the Astros were wiped out by the Mariners (who now have a three-game lead and tie-breaking advantage in the West Division) means that if the playoffs started today, the Astros wouldn’t be there.

No one is playing today in the American League. But for the remaining six games in 2025, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

PMLB
  • If the series started today…

  • A true dynasty.

  • Wow.

  • Over four million fans at Dodger Stadium this year.

  • Nate Pearson DFA by the Cubs.

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The Blue Jays confirm their playoff berth

It’s here: an American League club is officially in the playoffs.

The Toronto Blue Jays, as everyone predicted, have become the first American League team to qualify for October baseball. They join the Brewers, Cubs, Phillies and Dodgers, all Nationals clubs.

They did it with an 8-5 win in Kansas City. Trey Yesavage didn’t dominate, giving up four runs in as many innings.

So that means the Blue Jays boys had a chance to celebrate with champagne in the locker room after today’s game. Obviously, many were able to enjoy it en masse.

This is the 11th time in their history that the Toronto Blue Jays have participated in the playoffs. In recent years, the club has qualified in 2015, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2025.

That’s quite a comeback after a difficult 2024 season.

But the club hasn’t won an elimination match since 2016. This year, the goal will clearly be to make it a long way in the playoffs.

But until then, the club’s goal is still to win as many games as possible against the Red Sox and Rays.

It’s all about finishing ahead of the Yankees in the division. Note that the Bombardiers won today, which means the Blue Jays still have a two-game lead – plus the tie-breaker – with six games to play.

The Blue Jays’ goal is also to finish at the top of the American – at least among the top two clubs, at the very least – and have the edge in the standings against several Nationals teams.

PMLB
  • Have the Tigers played their last home game in 2025?

  • The Brewers (like the Phillies) have won their division.

  • Buck Martinez honored by the Royals.

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MLB in brief: Brandon Woodruff injured | Jacob Misiorowski in relief?

Brandon Woodruff injured

What a blow as the playoffs approach.

Jacob Misiorowski in relief?

The Brewers are considering it.

Charlie Morton DFA

He wasn’t getting the job done.

Portrait of the Savannah Bananas

Read on.

Season over for Will Smith?

Will he be able to play in the playoffs?

Quite a story

How did the Cardinals’ boss get into baseball? Read more.

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Nolan Arenado: here we go again

Are you ready for another winter of rumors involving Nolan Arenado?

Last year, the Cardinals wanted to trade their veteran third baseman to get younger and save money. They almost succeeded, as an agreement was reached with the Houston Astros.

The player said no, however, to see what his options were. In the end, he wasn’t traded at all.

Arenado is no longer the player he once was. Offensively speaking, he can no longer make the difference he once did in his heyday with the Colorado Rockies.

But will a club take a chance on him this winter?

Possibly. And in the meantime, Arenado, like this time last year, is well aware that it’s possible he’ll be playing his last few miles for the Cards.

Even if he hasn’t exactly improved in 2025 compared to 2024, there’s still one element that works in his favor (to give him market value): the effect of the passage of time.

With a two-year contract instead of three (at $16 million and $15 million in 2026 and 2027 instead of $21 million in 2025), a club that went after him would be taking less of a risk. It would be easier for a GM to take a chance.

And we say that even though Arenado, who has slowed down, has never played up to his contract. He was a good player in St. Louis, but he wasn’t the one to keep the franchise healthy following Yadier Molina’s retirement.

Arenado never wanted to leave St. Louis at any cost. He’s happy in the city and doesn’t want to leave just for the fun of it. This complicates matters for the Cardinals.

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Here’s what it will take for the Yankees to overtake the Blue Jays in the standings

Let’s take a look at the standings in the American as of this morning.

There are seven teams above the playoff line because of the tie between the Guardians and Astros. It’s among these seven clubs that it’s going to come down to the wire, as I can’t see the Rangers and Royals, for example, closing the gap (five and six games) between now and next Sunday.

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But in these seven clubs, each of which still has seven games to play between now and the end of the season (Sunday, September 28), there’s still plenty at stake. Five of them are at real risk of missing the playoffs: the Mariners, Tigers, Red Sox, Guardians and Astros.

I’d be relatively surprised to see the Yankees miss the playoffs… and the Blue Jays are one win away from securing their place in the sun. It’s only a formality.

Speaking of the Yankees and Blue Jays, the Yankees are only two games behind the Blue Jays, who have lost their last four games. The division title is more than ever at stake… even if Toronto has the advantage in the tie-breaker.

In reality, here’s what it would take to see the Bronx representatives, who have the league’s best record (27-14) over the past month and a half, win the American League’s East Division.

If the Yankees win two or fewer of their last seven games, they have no chance of finishing first. If they win three games, they need the Blue Jays to lose all their games by next Sunday.

If the Yankees win four games, they’ll have to hope the Blue Jays win just one. If the Yankees win five games, they’ll have to hope the Blue Jays win only two.

If the Yankees win six games, they’ll have to hope the Blue Jays win only three. And if the Yankees win all seven games, they’ll have to hope the Blue Jays win only four.

In other words: the Yankees need three more wins than the Blue Jays in seven games. The Toronto club has its fate in its own hands, not only for the division, but to finish at the top of the American standings in general. However, nothing is decided yet.

The Blue Jays are in Kansas City this afternoon and have tomorrow off. After that, the Red Sox and Rays are in Toronto next week for two three-game series.

The Yankees are in Baltimore this afternoon and will also have tomorrow off. It all comes down to two three-game home series against bad teams: the White Sox and the Orioles.

And the other teams in the race? How does it look?

The Mariners are in Houston this afternoon and will be looking to extend their two-game lead at the top of the division against these same Astros. They’ll also have Monday off before finishing at home in two three-game series against Nationals clubs: the Rockies and Dodgers.

The Tigers, who are in total disarray and only one game ahead of the Guardians, host the Braves this afternoon. They’ll have tomorrow off… and then they’re off to finish the season in Cleveland and Boston on the heels of two three-game series. #Ouch

The Red Sox are in Tampa Bay today, they’ll have tomorrow off, and they’ll face the Blue Jays in Canada three times starting Tuesday. The last three games of the season will be at home against the Tigers. They’ll have to stand up because right now, as Alex Cora says, there’s pain in Boston.

The Guardians take on the Twins in Minnesota this afternoon and from Tuesday onwards, the last six regular games will be at home. There will be three against the Tigers and three against the Rangers.

As for the Astros, they’ll host the Mariners this afternoon. And after tomorrow’s vacation (I should have said at the outset that all American clubs have tomorrow off ), it’s off to Sacramento and Anaheim for two three-game series.

Who will be the three division winners? Who will avoid the best runner-up games? Which club will be left out of the playoff picture? All the answers next Sunday, on the heels of the final day of the season.

On Tuesday, September 30, the wild card series begins. The following Saturday (October 4) marks the start of the divisional series.

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Giancarlo Stanton hits the 450th home run of his career

Giancarlo Stanton played a key role in the New York Yankees’ success in the recent playoffs, recording a 1.048 OPS with seven home runs as the Bombardiers reached the World Series for the first time since 2009.

And Jean-Carl continues to carry the New York lineup on his shoulders into 2025, having held down the fort during the absence of captain Aaron Judge and continuing to rack up not only his share of long balls, but an excellent batting average this year.

This continued last night (Saturday). In the second game of the Yankees’ series at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles, Stanton cannoned a three-run home run off Tomoyuki Sugano in the first inning to give New York a 3-0 lead in a 6-1 victory.

In addition to being the winning four-run homer, the bomb was the 450th of Stanton’s illustrious career.

The 35-year-old is now alone in 41st place for most home runs in MLB history, breaking a previous tie with Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Vladimir Guerrero.

He is also the active leader by a wide margin, with Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout 50 home runs behind him after hitting the 400th of his career at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies on the same night.

Should Stanton reach the 500 long ball plateau, his induction into the Hall of Fame would be all but assured.

Much will depend on his health, as Stanton has only played more than 120 games twice since being traded to the Yankees from the Miami Marlins prior to the 2018 season.

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MLB in brief: Nick Castellanos questions Rob Thomson’s communication | The Matt Olson effect

Nick Castellanos questions Rob Thomson’s communication

Nothing’s going right for him in Philly. Will he be traded this winter?

The Matt Olson effect

Is he better than Freddie Freeman?

How close was Dave Roberts to losing his job?

If he’d lost to San Diego last year, it would have been hard to stay.

The gear change that changes everything

Improving it helps Shane Bieber in his new colors.

Aaron Judge the MVP?

According to his bench coach, yes. #Of course

George Springer outdoes himself

30 home runs in one season, that doesn’t happen often, in his case.

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Chris Bassitt leaves on injured list

Tonight, Shane Bieber will attempt to ensure that the Blue Jays become the first team to qualify for the American playoffs. Will he succeed? We’ll see.

Will he do better than Max Scherzer?

But before the game, the Blue Jays announced some bad news: Chris Bassitt has been placed on the injured list due to back pain. Reliever Mason Fluharty has taken his place.

Bassitt will be able to return in time for the division series. At what point did the Blue Jays just give him a break to boost the bullpen and rest a veteran who needs it?

So the Blue Jays, who just placed Jose Berrios in the bullpen, didn’t opt for Alek Manoah for their encore: they opted for backup in the form of a reliever from Buffalo. Fresh strength after Max Scherzer’s short outing, it can’t hurt.

Eric Lauer and Berrios will remain in the bullpen for the time being, even though the Blue Jays only have four starters. Berrios will do everything for the club, but he’s not exactly happy at the moment.

Tonight, Bieber will pitch. Tomorrow, it’ll be Trey Yesavage, who’s really coming into his own with the club. And after Monday off, it’ll be Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber respectively from Tuesday to Thursday.

Are these the four playoff starters?

For the series against the Rays (Friday to Sunday), nothing has been decided. Yesavage could pitch on Friday and Gausman on Sunday, but theoretically, someone would be missing on Saturday.

One imagines that if the Blue Jays have meanwhile made sure of winning the American League, this could change plans. Will Alek Manoah get a call-up down the road? Will Jose Berrios get a start? We’ll see.

PMLB
  • Bryan Woo should avoid the injured list.

  • Season over for Pablo Lopez.

  • Wilyer Abreu back tomorrow?

  • Anthony Santander gets better in Buffalo.

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