Blue Jays clinch postseason spot for 2nd time in 3 years

The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the postseason for the second time in three years.

The Blue Jays punched their ticket to the playoffs after the Baltimore Orioles' 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday.

Toronto remains in a tight race with the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners to secure the AL's first wild-card spot.

The Blue Jays last reached the playoffs during the 2020 pandemic-shortened season, where they were swept by the Rays in the wild-card round. They last won a postseason series in 2016.

"The guys that play 162 appreciate the fact that you're one of the few teams standing after that mark," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.

"That's how it's always been. I really like that. I appreciate that. It's such a long season that you have to take a step back and appreciate where you are."

Toronto entered the 2022 campaign with lofty expectations after a strong performance last season. Despite some inconsistencies, the Blue Jays hit their stride in September and boast one of the American League's most potent offenses.