It's been a disappointing year for the reigning American League champions, but they have a chance to end it on a high note.
After roughing up the Kansas City Royals 9-2 on Friday night, the Toronto Blue Jays have now won six of their last seven games to pull back to .500 at 71-71.
Furthermore, they are also only one game back of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final wild card spot, and they have the tiebreaker over Cleveland as well should it be necessary.
As noted by ESPN, this is the first time the Jays have been .500 since they were 39-39 on June 22. If they can win on Saturday, they will surpass the .500 mark for the first time since they were 4-3 on April 3. It's been that kind of year for the Jays, who have been marred by regression from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and injuries to several key contributors at various points of the year. However, they have a chance to end it right and get back to the playoffs for the second straight season.
And with the mediocre nature of the American League, you don't have to be a great team, just being a hot team might suffice. And that's what the Jays are right now.
About last night
Toronto got multi-hit games from Guerrero, Myles Straw, Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement in the win, with Clement registering his 30th double of the campaign. It was also his 40th extra-base hit, putting him into exclusive company in team history among second basemen.
On the pitching side of things, Toronto effectively used a bullpen game in a game started by Jameson Taillon, who was fresh off the injured list.
Unfortunately, he lasted only two innings and appears destined for the injured list again (elbow). The Jays got three innings at the end from Michael Lorenzen, who registered the save as a result.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Michael Lorenzen (55) celebrates with catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) after defeating the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. William Purnell-Imagn ImagesAbout Saturday's contest
The two teams will play again on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET as Max Scherzer pitches against veteran righty Seth Lugo. Scherzer is just 2-7 with a 6.16 ERA, but he's coming off a masterful performance against the Seattle Mariners in which he struck out 10 over seven innings. Lugo has struggled this year as well, going 6-8 with a 5.03 ERA.
The Royals are just 63-79 on the season.
Scoreboard watching
The Guardians will host the Detroit Tigers at 6:10 p.m. ET. Left-hander Framber Valdez will pitch for Detroit while young lefty Parker Messick pitches for Cleveland. He's 11-8, but has an ERA of 2.46.
