The Toronto Blue Jays playoff push is in full swing as the team rides a six-game win streak and edges closer to clinching a postseason berth. With an 89–62 record after their latest win over the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto now holds a five-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. That advantage puts them within days of officially securing their October spot.
Baseball fans are keeping a close eye on the standings, and with just a few weeks left in the regular season, Toronto’s path to the playoffs is becoming clearer. Here’s a simple guide to the team’s current clinching scenarios.
Postseason Berth Magic Number: 3
Toronto’s magic number to secure a spot in the playoffs is down to three. That means any combination of three Blue Jays wins or Cleveland Guardians losses will guarantee the Jays a postseason berth. Cleveland recently kept the race alive with an extra-innings win over the Detroit Tigers, but Toronto controls its own destiny.
To learn more about how playoff magic numbers work, check MLB.com’s explainer on magic numbers.
AL East Title Magic Number: 6
Winning the AL East is always special, and Toronto hasn’t done it since 2015. Their magic number to clinch the division is six, thanks to winning the season series over the Yankees 8–5. Even if New York continues to fight, Toronto’s cushion and tiebreaker give them the inside track.
According to FanGraphs’ AL East playoff projections, the Blue Jays have a 98.3 percent chance to win the division, while the Yankees sit at just 1.6 percent.
First-Round Bye Magic Number: 5*
A bye past the wild-card round would be huge for Toronto’s playoff run. With the Seattle Mariners trailing the Detroit Tigers in the AL standings, Toronto’s bye-clinching number sits at five. However, they must clinch the AL East before this comes into play.
If the Houston Astros regain the AL West lead, they could become Toronto’s closest challenger. Since Houston owns the head-to-head tiebreaker, the Blue Jays’ magic number against them is also five.
What’s Next for Toronto?
For the Blue Jays, the focus remains on banking wins and keeping momentum strong. Their offensive core, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer, has been red hot, and pitching depth is carrying them through tight games.
As Toronto fans count down the magic numbers, the buzz around the city grows louder. If all goes well, the Toronto Blue Jays playoff journey could include not only a return to October baseball but also a deep postseason run.
For more updates, check Sportsnet’s Blue Jays coverage, follow the latest ESPN MLB standings, or dig into Baseball Reference’s team stats.
