On October 1st, the game is cast and the six teams that will fight for the title in the American League are now known: Houston, New York, Cleveland, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Seattle all have their ticket in hand allowing them to continue their 2022 season beyond the end of the regular calendar.
Classified as inactive on Thursday, the Blue Jays were able to make it official in front of their fans yesterday, thanks to a convincing 9-0 victory against the Boston Red Sox.
Once again, starter Alek Manoah dictated his rule for six innings by shutting out the visitors and limiting them to two hits and two walks. The big right-hander collected a 16th gain this season.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 31st long ball of the season and he was followed by teammates Raimel Tapia (7) and George Springer (25). Tapia is a big revelation for the Jays this season, having so far hit 103 hits in 2022.
John Schneider’s men were able to celebrate their place in the playoffs in front of their supporters, even if everyone knew that this place had been acquired since the day before.
By entrusting the command of the team to Schneider to replace Charlie Montoyo, the management of the Toronto team was able to give the necessary energy to a team full of talent, but which had developed bad habits, mainly in terms of ‘attitude. Knowing the group that forms the current core of this team well, Schneider was able to capitalize on this relationship and lead his people to the next season.
The Seattle Mariners, beating the Oakland A’s 2-1, end the longest losing streak in the Majors. The Mariners hadn’t made the playoffs since 2001, when they won the American West title (the Houston Astros were playing on the side of the National at that time).
Fans of the team will long remember Cal Raleigh’s home run after two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Called up in the game as a pinch-hitter, Raleigh jumped on a shot from reliever Domingo Acevedo to propel his team into the 2022 playoffs.
The East Division will be very well represented as the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays will take part in the playoffs. As for them, the Baltimore Orioles lacked energy in the final stretch, they who had decided to divest key elements at the deadline of the transactions.
The Houston Astros, true to form, will be the last dance for a sixth consecutive year. Dusty Baker’s men will have the best record in the American.
For their part, the Cleveland Guardians have distanced themselves from the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins in recent weeks thanks to a desire to win that their division rivals couldn’t match. This end of the season ends in fishtail for the Twins, while the White Sox had a very disappointing year 2022 for a team that most experts described as a safe bet.
As a curtain raiser if the ranking does not move: the Jays will face the Mariners, while the Rays will cross swords with the Guardians. The Yankees and Astros will await the winners in the next round.
- Bo Bichette was dominant in August.
- Sandy Alcantara can be proud of his season.
- Charlie Morton is in Atlanta to stay.
- The former Jays prospect will get his chance.
