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3 teams that made the postseason after starting 1-7

J. Meric / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Toronto Blue Jays are making it increasingly harder on themselves as the losses pile up, now off to a franchise-worst 1-7 start to the season.

On paper, the Blue Jays still carry tons of talent, indicating the team can break out of its current funk. History would suggest it won't be that easy, though. In fact, only three teams (the 2011 Tampa Bay Rays, 1995 Cincinnati Reds, and 1974 Pittsburgh Pirates) have ever managed to rebound from similar starts to clinch a playoff berth.

If the Blue Jays want to be the fourth to do so, the club should study how the others overcame early deficits to land in the postseason.

2011 Tampa Bay Rays

Previous season record: 96-66
1st 10 games: 2-8
April record: 15-12
Final record: 91-71

The pesky Rays, managed at the time by Joe Maddon, started 2011 with six straight losses, scoring just eight runs in the process. Led by Evan Longoria and Melvin Upton (remember him, Blue Jays fans?), the Rays rebounded from a 1-7 start to finish April on a 14-5 tear. Tampa Bay also finished the season strong, with a combined 35-20 record in August and September.

The team managed to defy the odds once again in the eighth inning of Game 162 against the Boston Red Sox, claiming a wild-card spot only after erasing an 8-0 deficit and surging past their AL East rivals, thanks to Longoria's walk-off home run. Tampa Bay went on to lose its ALDS series against Texas in four games.

1995 Cincinnati Reds

Previous season record: 66-48
1st 10 games: 2-8
April record: 0-5
Final record: 85-59

If the Reds' April record has you confused, the start of the 1995 season was delayed due to the strike that began the previous year, with MLB finally resuming play on April 26. The Reds started off 1-9 and were shut out twice over that stretch. However, they followed that skid with six straight wins, and finished May with a ridiculous 20-6 record.

Led by Reggie Sanders and eventual MVP Barry Larkin, the Reds would go on to win their division and sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The magic would wear off in the NLCS, with the club losing in four games. Unfortunately, the Reds would go on to miss the postseason for the next 14 seasons after that.

1974 Pittsburgh Pirates

Previous season record: 80-82
1st 10 games: 2-8
April record: 6-12
Final record: 88-74

Three years after the tragic death of Roberto Clemente, the Pirates rebounded admirably after a horrid start that saw the club begin the 1974 season 2-10.

Pittsburgh posted a 17-27 record over April and May, but started to improve with an 18-14 July before taking off in August with a 20-8 mark that included separate five- and six-game winning streaks. Outfielders Willie Stargell and Richie Zisk would combine for 196 RBIs to lead the offensive charge throughout the season. Unfortunately, the Pirates couldn't prevail in the NLCS, losing to the Dodgers in four games.

(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)

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