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The Toronto Blue Jays are headed into the Major League Baseball post-season in good position after clinching the American League East Wednesday evening.
The crown ensures the team won’t have to play in a one-game wild card showdown. Instead, they’ll be playing in the American League Division Series for the first time since the playoff format changed shortly after the team won the World Series in 1993. Toronto earned that right after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 15-2.
It’ll be the first time in over 20 years the Jays return to the playoffs, and fans in Regina couldn’t be happier. But with that feeling of joy also comes a slight sense of disbelief.
“I’m a Blue Jays fan. I’m used to losing. This is weird,” said Matt Lawson proudly wearing his Blue Jays ball cap inside the Canadian Brewhouse.
“It’s been a good year to watch the Blue Jays. It’s been 20 years of struggling,” he insisted. “You’re a true fan if you suffer through losing seasons, so this is a good reward for all that.”
While Lawson felt good about the team securing the AL East, he admitted he would feel better if the team had the outright best record in the American League. That would enable them to hold home field advantage throughout the entire playoffs, including the World Series after the American League beat the National League in July’s All-Star game.
At a table nearby sat Jordan Walker decked out in his Jays jersey. His one-year-old son played right beside him in a little Blue Jays shirt.
“It’s exciting for Canada baseball. It’s exciting for everybody,” Walker said.
“We’ve been watching for years and now they’re finally competitive and it’s fun to watch them be successful after getting killed for years.”
The talk now for fans immediately gravitates towards potentially buying tickets to Toronto. However, Lawson admits before the season started reaching the post-season was something he thought was a little out of grabs for the team.
“I spent my playoff budget going to Spring Training this year.”
Toronto’s playoff opponent is yet to be determined.
