The Toronto Blue Jays lost their final game of a six-game road trip on Wednesday, falling to the Oakland Athletics 5-2. The loss dropped the Blue Jays back into a tie for the third and final AL wild-card spot with the Texas Rangers.
The Blue Jays were without two of their top players, Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette, who are both injured. Chapman has swelling in his right middle finger, while Bichette has a right quad strain.
Despite the injuries, the Blue Jays have still made significant ground in the playoff race. They have won four of their last six games and are now just 1 game behind the Rangers for the third wild-card spot.
The Blue Jays return home on Thursday for an off-day before opening a 10-game homestand. They will face the Kansas City Royals for three games, followed by the Rangers for four games.
Manager John Schneider said he is confident that the Blue Jays can still make the playoffs, even without Chapman and Bichette.
“We’re still in a good position,” Schneider said. “We’ve got a lot of games left and we’ve got a lot of good players. We’re just going to keep playing and keep winning games.”
The Blue Jays will need to get some production from their other players if they want to make the playoffs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been their best hitter all season, but he has been slumping lately. Teoscar Hernandez has also been a key contributor, but he is also injured and is day-to-day.
The Blue Jays will also need their pitching staff to step up. Hyun Jin Ryu has been their best starter, but he has been inconsistent lately. The bullpen has been a major problem for the Blue Jays all season, but they have been better lately.
The Blue Jays have a tough road ahead, but they are still in a good position to make the playoffs. They have a lot of talent and they are playing good baseball. If they can stay healthy and get some timely hitting, they will be a tough team to beat in the wild-card race.
Here are some additional thoughts on the Blue Jays’ playoff chances:
- The injuries to Chapman and Bichette are a major blow, but the Blue Jays have other players who can step up. Guerrero, Hernandez, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are all capable of carrying the offense.
- The Blue Jays’ pitching staff has been inconsistent, but they have the potential to be a strength. Ryu and Jose Berrios are both capable of giving the team quality starts, and the bullpen has been better lately.
- The Blue Jays have a favorable schedule down the stretch. They will face the Royals and Rangers, two teams that are not currently in the playoff race.
The Blue Jays are still in a good position to make the playoffs, but they will need to play their best baseball down the stretch. If they can do that, they will be a tough team to beat in the wild-card race.
