The Toronto Blue Jays (89-64) own the top record in the American League entering play on Friday, and can clinch their spot in the playoffs pending a few results around the league in the day’s action.
First off, the Blue Jays will need to pick up a win in Kansas City against the Royals. The Royals enter play at 76-77, effectively out of the playoff race due to a bumpy run in September (they’ve won just three of their last 11 games).
Should the Jays win, the team will clinch a playoff spot if two of the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians or Detroit Tigers lose their games on Friday.
The Red Sox (83-70) open a three-game set against the Rays in Tampa Bay. The Rays enter on a two-game winning streak, but have won just two of ten games against the Red Sox this season.
The Guardians (81-71) are red-hot, making a late surge for the playoffs behind an ongoing seven-game winning streak. Cleveland has won twelve of their last 13 games, and open a four-game set against the Minnesota Twins (66-86) on Friday.
Detroit (85-68) owned the best record in the AL as recently as Sept. 11, when they were surpassed by the Blue Jays. They’ve won just one of their last seven games, and host the Atlanta Braves (70-83) on Friday.
The Blue Jays seek to clinch a playoff berth after missing out last year. They made the playoffs as a wild-card team three of the last five seasons, but haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season.