Despite a miserable Friday night in Kansas City in their series opener against the Royals, the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays will have another opportunity to clinch a playoff spot on Saturday.
The Blue Jays will clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Royals after the Atlanta Braves defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-5 Saturday afternoon.
The Jays could have also clinched a playoff spot Saturday had they lost if the Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians failed to pick up wins. However, Cleveland defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-0 in the first game of their doubleheader, meaning Toronto will have to win Saturday to clinch.
The Blue Jays are 3.0 games ahead of the New York Yankees for top spot in the division and the American League. The Tigers and Seattle Mariners are both 4.0 games back entering play on Saturday.
After losing 20-1 on Friday, the Jays will go to Shane Bieber on the mound. The 30-year-old righty owns a 3.72 ERA over five starts since being acquired from the Guardians ahead of the trade deadline.