Breaking Down the Wild Card Race, Blue Jays' Playoff Scenarios
The Blue Jays have a 99.9% chance of making it to the MLB playoffs. They are in the thick of a Wild Card seeding battle with the Rays and Mariners.
The Jays are alone atop the AL's Wild Card standings. Five more games separate the Orioles from the final playoff spot. Baltimore and Chicago are on the brink of elimination. In 2022's new playoff format, three Wild Cards make the postseason from each league. The top two division winners get a first-round bye, while the other four teams play a best two-of-three opening series.
Tampa Bay Rays are currently 82-66, 2.0 back of Toronto. If the season ended today, the Rays would travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays in the Wild Card round. The Jays have four final games against Tampa later this week. They must win the series 3-1 or 4-0 to ensure they have the tiebreak over the Tampa.
Seattle Mariners are currently in the final Wild Card spot. They have the easiest remaining schedule, with remaining series against the four worst teams in American League. The Orioles are 7.5 back of the Blue Jays in 7th place. Even if the Orioles win out, the Jays would have to finish 8-6 to secure a playoff spot over Baltimore. . .. It would take a miracle streak for Baltimore to snag the last playoff place, and a tough remaining Schedule doesn't help.
Yankees have fallen back to the AL East pack since the All-Star break. Blue Jays are 5.5 games back of the division lead. They have a chance to win the league, but it's slim. The Yankees have three games against the Orioles and four at Texas.
The Blue Jays can make the Wild Card round by winning the AL East and securing a bye. They will play in a best-of-three series to determine the fate of their season on Wildcard weekend.
The Blue Jays are in the Wild Card race. They could play against Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners or Cleveland Guardians. If they finish first in Wild card standings, they would host the No. 2 seed. Finishing second would send them to the 1 seed, while third would see them play the 3rd-ranked division winner.
