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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was walking into the showers at the Toronto clubhouse after a 7-3 win over Baltimore when he stopped to look at the television screen above the ground.
The slugger smiled as the Minnesota Twins recorded a key out late in the game and ultimately pulled out a 4-3 victory over Cleveland, a team Toronto is chasing in the race for last place in the American League.
It’s officially scoreboard watching season and the Blue Jays are doing their part.
The Guardians’ lead over the Blue Jays was cut to one game at the end of Saturday. Toronto is holding a tiebreaker between the clubs, creating a must-win feel for every match over the next two weeks.
“It’s hard not to notice [to other games] but we’re all pretty locked in here,” said Toronto right-hander Dylan Keys, who will start Sunday’s rubber game against the Orioles. “I mean, we know we need to win.”
Brett Bateman and Alejandro Kirk homered to lead the Blue Jays to their 10th win in 16 games. Spencer Miles opened for Toronto in a bullpen game that ended with three outs from closer Louis Varland.
The record is 74-75 with 13 games remaining.
The defending American League champions improved to 74-75 with 13 games remaining in the regular season. All of Toronto’s rivals have sub-. 500 entries.
“The urgency level has been high for some time, as has the stress, as has everything else,” manager John Schneider said. “But the future will be the same.”
Bateman, who is not known for hitting, hit his first major league homer in the series opener. On Saturday, it followed a blast that landed in almost the same spot over the wall in right-center field.
“It’s like Willie Mays Hayes from Major League 2,” Schneider joked, referring to the movie character known more for his speed than his strength. “Yesterday on a slider and today on a fastball, it’s just a good swing.”
The American League is so weak right now that the third wild card team will likely face an opponent with a similar record.
The third wild-card team, ranked sixth overall, will face the lowest-seeded division winner in a best-of-three playoff series. Entering Saturday’s games, the Chicago White Sox (center) and Houston Astros (west) were clinging to first place in their divisions, hovering just above the .500 mark.
Much needed reinforcements
Meanwhile, the Blue Jays could soon get some much-needed reinforcements.
Starter Trey Yesavage (knee) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday. If all goes well, he could be back in the rotation next week.
Starter Shane Bieber (shoulder) looks to hit the mound during the current six-game homestand.
Slugger Anthony Santander (shoulder) is a regular in Triple-A Buffalo and could make some adjustments to the batting order if he returns to the big leagues.
The Detroit Tigers will visit Rogers Center next week ahead of the Blue Jays’ six-game road trip to Texas and Baltimore. Toronto will then return home for the final interleague weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds.
A mediocre campaign still has the potential to end in style. To achieve this will require an increased level of play.
“Every game matters, and there are still important games that will be played to the end,” Schneider said.
Toronto entered the day with a 26.5 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to FanGraphs.