The 2020 MLB season went from 162 to 60 regular season games for each team this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. It seems like baseball just got started, but we are heading into the final week of the regular season for every team in the sport.
The Toronto Blue Jays have nine games left and currently have a record of 26-25. Despite losing five consecutive games after losing a doubleheader sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night. Ordinarily, finishing barely above .500 at this point of the season would mean the team isn’t in the discussion too much for the playoffs. However, the MLB expanded its postseason so half the teams are invited to the playoffs in a unique 2020 season.
Toronto figures to be a part of the 2020 MLB Playoffs. The regular season is scheduled to end on Sunday, Sept. 27 with the playoffs getting underway on Sept. 29.
Futures Odds
So where do the oddsmakers see the Blue Jays going? Will they make the playoffs? Could they make a run? It’s impossible to know right now on Sept. 19, but here’s a look at what the experts see in Toronto and what chance the Blue Jays have do some damage once the postseason starts.
All odds are according to a popular United States sportsbook.
American League East
- Tampa Bay Rays: -10000
- New York Yankees: +1100
- Toronto Blue Jays +50000
Toronto cracked the only three teams that have a chance to win the American League East, but it’s highly unlikely the Blue Jays accomplish that feat. As of Saturday, Sept. 19, the Blue Jays are 7.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and 3.5 games behind the New York Yankees. It would take a minor miracle for Toronto to become the American League East champs with so few games left to play.
While Toronto is looking for its first victory since Sunday, Sept. 13, the Yankees and Rays are on a bit of a hot streak. New York is going for its 10th win in a row when it plays the American League East’s last-place team Boston Red Sox at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Rays won three in a row coming into their 7:35 p.m. ET matchup with the Baltimore Orioles, which is fourth in the division.
American League
- Tampa Bay Rays/New York Yankees: +300
- Chicago White Sox: +450
- Oakland Athletics: +500
- Minnesota Twins: +600
- Houston Astros: +1100
- Cleveland Indians/Toronto Blue Jays: +1500
While winning the American League East is nearly impossible, the Blue Jays have much higher odds to represent the American League in the World Series. With the unique postseason format, it should give underdogs a better chance to make a postseason run. The opening round series will be best of three, while the divisional round will see a best-of-five format.
Toronto’s American League East rivals have the two best odds of advancing through the American League to reach the World Series. The Blue Jays have the seventh best odds, tied with the Cleveland Indians at +1500.
World Series
- Los Angeles Dodgers: +340
- Tampa Bay Rays: +650
- New York Yankees: +750
- Chicago White Sox/Oakland Athletics/San Diego Padres: +1000
- Atlanta Braves/Minnesota Twins: +1250
- Chicago Cubs: +1400
- Houston Astros: +2200
- Cleveland Indians: +2500
- Miami Marlins/Philadelphia Phillies: +3500
- Cincinnati Reds/St. Louis Cardinals/Toronto Blue Jays: +4000
If the Blue Jays reverse course late in the season and are able to go on a run, those who bet on them to win the World Series would receive quite the pay day with they can pull off a magical postseason. Toronto is currently tied for 14th in the MLB at +4000 odds with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals from the National League Central division.
The Blue Jays reaching any three of these marks would be an incredible accomplishment, though highly unlikely. With only a short amount of time left in the regular season, Toronto put itself in position to at least be in the conversation and should have a chance to do something special this postseason.
