...
By Peter Chawaga
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Toronto Blue Jays finished their regular season with a win over the division rival Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, winning their first American League East title in the last 10 years.
The Blue Jays surged to a share of the best record in the American League with the New York Yankees and, thanks to their tie breaker, will enjoy a bye week in the first round of the playoffs before facing either the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox in an American League Division Series.
And that time off is big news for the Blue Jays, as it opens the possibility that the team will start its playoff push with superstar shortstop Bo Bichette back from the injured list.
Read More on MLB
...
“It’s ‘pretty unlikely’ Bo Bichette would be available for a Wild Card series, John Schneider acknowledged,” according to Sportsnets’ Ben Nicholson-Smith before Sunday’s game. “Hope would be for ALDS if possible.”
Now that the Blue Jays are guaranteed a division series berth thanks to their win, there’s reason to hope Bichette will return. And that could be a significant boost for the offense, as he was Major League Baseball’s hits leader and a key part of a strong lineup when he went down with a knee injury.
“This version of the Jays is better positioned to succeed, particularly if Bichette makes a successful return from a left knee strain when the Jays open the Division Series on Saturday against either the Yankees or Boston Red Sox,” Ken Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic. “No team strikes out at a lower rate.”
After earning their first division title in a decade, the Blue Jays would have to be disappointed with anything less than an American League championship this season. And a healthy return from Bichette for their first playoff series could be a major driver in reaching that goal.
More MLB: Braves Predicted to Sign Padres Star to $160M Blockbuster Deal
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines