The Toronto Blue Jays have closed in on the Cleveland Guardians in the competition for the final American League wild-card spot. The Blue Jays will need to maintain their momentum, while also hoping for the Guardians to stumble in their double-header on Friday.

Both Toronto and Cleveland have won the same number of games so far this season, with 70 wins each as they head into Friday’s matchups. The Guardians will have the opportunity to increase their wins as they face the Detroit Tigers in a double-header.

If the Guardians manage to win both games against the Tigers, they will end the day with a record of 72-70. On the other hand, the best outcome for the Blue Jays would be to secure a victory against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, bringing their record to 71-71 and bringing them back to a .500 win-loss ratio since June.

The competition for the third AL wild-card spot is intense, with the Blue Jays, Guardians, and several other teams all vying for the coveted playoff position.

In a recent three-game series between Cleveland and Toronto, the Blue Jays emerged victorious by winning two out of three games, including a 6-3 triumph on Thursday. The Blue Jays will now face off against the Kansas City in a three-game series starting Friday. With only 21 games left in the regular season, Toronto must continue to secure wins to keep their playoff aspirations alive.

In the American League, a total of six teams will advance to the postseason, including three division winners and the three teams with the next best records that earn wild-card berths. Currently, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox hold the wild-card spots outside of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Following a win on Thursday, the Texas Rangers improved to a 70-71 record, staying neck and neck with the Blue Jays in the playoff race. Conversely, the Baltimore Orioles suffered a loss to Boston, bringing their season record to 69-72.