Must-Win in Texas with John Schneider
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What is the current wild‑card picture and why do the Jays need to win now?
All right. Welcome to Blair and Barker on Sportsnet 590. And Sportsnet. Well, the Jays had last night off. It was basically like they had a four-game losing streak. In the process, Kevin Barker. I mean, basically everything that you didn't want to see happen on an off day if you're the Blue Jays did happen on the out-of-town scoreboard. So here we are. Two games back, the final wild card spot, which is now held by the Cleveland Guardians, with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers about to start tonight.
Yeah, it's not going to be easy. I mean, you've dug yourself this hole. You know, what happened last night with all the teams that were winning that you didn't want to win just means now that you have to win a lot more than you lose. And, you know, we were talking about it yesterday, 7-2, 8-1, 9-0. I think those are the three numbers. Like, you have to at least go 7-2 to think you're going to have any chance whatsoever. That's 83 wins. You have to get to at least 83 wins because the other teams you just mentioned all have more wins than you other than the Rangers. Rangers have 76 just like you do. The White Sox and the Guardians have 78, and the Astros have 77. So they're a leg up on you a little bit, which would mean that whether you want to or not, to think you have a chance and have those last three games of the season matter, which I know what me and you want, you kind of have to go and shoot for the moon.
And it's not going to be easy with the lack of pitching that you have, the middle of the order not doing a ton. Like the way you've had to abuse your bullpen. Like there's some things, Jeff, but this is kind of where they're at. It's kind of fun. It's going to be fun to see if they can work through this and figure it out and score enough and not let the other team outscore the lineup, which is kind of the goal here. Let's
take a look at the wild card standings. And a reminder, we will be joined by John Schneider, the Blue Jays manager. In about half an hour, John Marossi will join us as well, and Evan Grant, who covers the Rangers for the Dallas Morning News. What a show. He will join us as we get you set for an 8-10 first pitch. Do we have the standings that we can go to? The wild card standings? Maybe not. There you go, Jeff. There you go. What? Don't be afraid to give my heads up. The Guardians hold down the wild card. The Rangers and Blue Jays are both two back. Baltimore is three back. Baltimore is 75 and 78. There we go. There
it
is. I mean, we don't really care about Detroit, Minnesota, Seattle, or Kansas City. The only thing we care about is Detroit. is you'd like to see them win some games against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox won last night, so they are now holding down the central lead. Hence, the Guardians are in the third wildcard spot. That wildcard spot, I think we could safely say, is either going to be the Guardians or the Chicago White Sox. Maybe Houston. Maybe Houston. Houston and Texas are kind of vying for that spot. But that wildcard spot, those are the teams you're probably going to be aiming for.
Look, I think because you've dug yourself this hole, Jeff, I don't think it's about the teams that are around you. You're just trying to win every single game. If you go 9-0, that'd be great. That'd be best-case scenario. If you can go 8-1, I think if you go 6-3 for me anyway, you've got no chance. I think that's kind of where we're at because of the teams in front of you other than the Rangers who have the same record that you do. I'm going to say this. 6-3 is hard.
Here's where I might disagree. Here's where I might disagree with that. If you take two of three from Texas or three, what you can't do is you can't just win one of three against Texas. You either got to take two or three from Texas or sweep Texas. If you sweep Texas, then I think you might be able to get in with six and three. But, yeah, I mean, the simple fact of the matter is the math is not great right now. Like the standings, you know, you'll look at the standings and go, what do you mean, Jeff?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the current wild‑card picture and why do the Jays need to win now?
0:06–4:30
2
How did the Mets’ Jared Young–Nolan McClain collision affect the conversation?
4:30–8:53
3
What are the expectations for Dylan Cease in the series opener?
8:53–14:49
4
Why did the Blue Jays call up José Rodríguez and how will he be used?
14:49–18:52
5
What is the status of Shane Bieber and Trey Savage heading into the weekend?
18:52–29:24
6
How is Dylan Cease handling his velocity dip and what adjustments are planned?
29:24–40:41
7
Will the Jays adopt a more aggressive bullpen strategy in the final stretch?
40:41–49:20
8
What are the key takeaways and outlook for the Jays after the Texas series?
49:20–49:23
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from Blair & Barker
Wild Card Down to the Wire with Jon Morosi and Evan Grant
Blue Jays' Offseason Options with David Samson
Pitching Plans, Playoff Pushes, and CBA Clashes
Rotation Plan Before the Postseason + Dan Shulman and Jensen Lewis
Questionable Decisions + Tigers' Future with Bobby Scales
Can Vladdy's Homer Spark Jays' Push?