Baseball fans in Toronto are feeling a combination of excitement and anxiety as the Blue Jays head into the final stretch before the MLB playoffs after securing a post-season berth on Friday night.

After a tense game, the Jays beat the hometown Kansas City Royals 8-5 Sunday and clinched a playoff spot, placing them one step further on the team’s quest to win the American League East division.

Toronto is the first team in the American League to secure a spot in the playoffs, returning to the post-season for the first time since 2023.

It’s been a long road since the Jays last won a World Series title back in 1993 — but fans are crossing their fingers in hopes the team’s decades-long title drought might soon come to an end.

Ryan Pasternak says the nerves are all part of being a typical Jays fan.

“Everyone’s nervous. Everyone thinks the Yankees are going to catch them. That’s just the way that they are, always on edge,” he said.

Still, he thinks good things are coming.

“I think this might be the year. I think they can do it,” Pasternak said. “They just never quit and there’s a lot of excitement that hasn’t been around this team for a while.”

WATCH | Blue Jays fans in the lead-up to Friday’s nail-biting game against the Royals: 

He says part of the reason the Blue Jays are doing so well is because of the cooperation among players.

“Everyone’s participating, everyone’s playing a role,” Pasternak said.

Tracey Gushue, who was thrilled after the game Sunday, agreed.

“It’s all about teamwork. You can have all the skills you can possibly have, but if you don’t have the teamwork and you don’t bond together, you’re never the winner,” she said.

While fans are evidently excited about the post-season berth, the Blue Jays store is already stocking up their shelves. As of Monday, fans can secure their very own, all-new, Blue Jays post-season merch.

While fans are evidently excited about the post-season berth, the Blue Jays store is already stocking up their shelves. As of Monday, fans can secure their very own, all-new, Blue Jays post-season merch. (Mehrdad Nazarahari/CBC)

Cole Papalazarou told CBC News he’s not a huge baseball fan, but said the vibrancy of the city as the team clinched a playoff berth has him riled up.

“A lot of friends are excited, and that’s got me kind of more tuned in,” he said. “Tons of people seem to be … paying attention to what’s been happening with them. So, definitely, you can feel it in the city.”

Michael Calouro says the energy around the team can be felt both on and off the field.

“You’re seeing the buzz. You see the jerseys. The stadium last week was electric,” he said.

Calouro has been watching the games with his kids at home. He was young himself when he last watched the Blue Jays play in the World Series.

“It’s [an] awesome time for sure,” he said.

The Blue Jays are set to face off against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday at the Rogers Centre.