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<\/p>\nTORONTO \u2013 Just a few days ago, Blue Jays reliever Justin Bruihl was among a group of players at the team\u2019s Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo who continued training in case they were needed at the big-league level.<\/p>\n
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Bruihl got the call-up on Friday and provided a clean inning of relief Saturday in his first game action with Toronto in a month. It was the latest example of how the top-seeded Blue Jays have benefited from a wide variety of player contributions over the course of the regular season.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to stay locked in,\u201d Bruihl said in a recent interview. \u201cYou can\u2019t really let your guard down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Toronto closed out its regular season Sunday with a 13-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. The win locked up the Blue Jays\u2019 first American League East Division title since 2015.<\/p>\n
As the first seed in the AL, Toronto also secured a bye to the AL Division Series starting Saturday at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays will play either the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox.<\/p>\n
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Toronto\u2019s big-name stars like George Springer, Bo Bichette, Kevin Gausman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and others have come through over the course of a 94-win campaign.<\/p>\n
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Lower-profile players have also delivered when needed. Ernie Clement has become a key cog in the infield and Addison Barger has blossomed into a middle-of-the-order power bat.<\/p>\n
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Myles Straw\u2019s speed and defence have been invaluable. Fellow outfielder Nathan Lukes has emerged as an everyday player and utilityman Davis Schneider had a decent second half.<\/p>\n
On the mound, Eric Lauer \u2014 who played in South Korea last year \u2014 was steady as a starter and reliever.<\/p>\n
Brendon Little became a go-to southpaw option while Mason Fluharty and fellow rookie Braydon Fisher became dependable relievers.<\/p>\n
Injuries and underperformance gave some of those players opportunities. Others were promoted after solid play with the Bisons, who wrapped up their season on Sept. 21.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s a common theme \u2014 everybody who comes up is ready,\u201d Clement said. \u201cI think you\u2019ve got to give some credit to (manager) Casey Candaele in Buffalo for keeping those guys ready to compete at the major-league level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s becoming a culture in this organization too, which I think is the most important thing. Guys are ready to win and do what it takes to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the Triple-A season ended, a group of seven or eight players kept up a daily routine last week of batting practice, bullpen sessions and regular training to stay game-ready.<\/p>\n
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