The Blue Jays beat the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday afternoon to move within 0.5 games of the third and final wild card spot.
The Toronto Blue Jays toppled the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Thursday afternoon to move within 0.5 games of the third and final wild card spot in the American League.
With the win, the Jays are also within one game of .500 at 70-71. They are trying to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year in an effort to follow up last season's trip to the World Series.
Jose Soriano threw 4.2 innings and was backed by stellar bullpen work, including that of the historic Louie Varland, who earned his 32nd save.
Offensively, the Blue Jays were led by Nathan Lukes, who had a big double to break a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning, giving Toronto a 3-1 lead at the time.
Beyond Lukes, rookie Brett Bateman, acquired in the Kevin Gausman trade at the deadline, continued his hot hitting. The lefty swinger went 3-for-5, giving him 30 hits already in his limited action. In fact, his 30 hits have come in 22 games, making him the second-fastest Jays player ever to 30 hits. Only Bo Bichette reached the mark faster, doing it in 21 games, courtesy of StatsCentre.
Bateman was selected in the eighth round of the 2023 draft out of Minnesota by the Cubs. He hit .312 with an impressive .430 on-base percentage at Triple-A this year, and he also stole 20 bases before getting called up.
Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Brett Bateman (21) advances to third on a hit by right fielder Nathan Lukes (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Progressive Field. Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesHe's a contact-oriented player who has just six career home runs in the minor leagues. He has not hit one yet in the big leagues. That's something to watch for moving forward. All three of his hits on Thursday were singles.
What does the future hold for him? It's unclear right now, but he's certainly making a case to be part of the 2027 outfield for Toronto.
With George Springer set for free agency and Daulton Varsho traded, the Jays figure to have four left-handed hitting outfield options: Bateman, Jesus Sanchez, Addison Barger and Lukes. Not all of them are likely to be with the group out of spring training, and we've already speculated that Randy Arozarena could be a fit for Toronto in free agency.
Up next
The Blue Jays will be back in action on Friday night on the road at the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET as Jameson Taillon makes his return to the rotation.
He'll be opposed by left-hander Daniel Lynch.
While the Royals are just 62-78, they've played much better of late, and they beat Toronto two-of-three just last week at Rogers Centre.
