History shows Blue Jays need to finish atop American League in 2025

In 2025, not many would've predicted the Toronto Blue Jays to be sitting at the top of the American League East Division nor be battling for the best record in the American League, but the Blue Jays have since silenced the doubters. Since the start of June the Blue Jays have the best record in the AL at 40-22, while only the Milwaukee Brewers (45-16) have a better record in all of baseball.

The Blue Jays have seen an emergence in their depth to hold a division lead since July 3, however, the Detroit Tigers are battling the Blue Jays for the best record in the AL with both teams sitting at 70 wins. Although, Toronto does have a better win percentage, having lost one-less game than the Tigers through Thursday's game.

As mid-August is here, every game the Blue Jays and Tigers play is crucial. Each game can haven an impact on the standings as they battle for home field advantage throughout the AL side of the bracket. And History shows the Blue Jays need to have the best record in the AL when the season concludes in September, if they want to make their championship dreams come true.

Blue Jays have won World Series each year they had best record in AL

The Blue Jays have won the World series twice in franchise history, in 1992 and 1993. On thing they also did in both of those seasons was finishing in first in the American League standings, and getting home field advantage in the postseason.

In 1992, they tied the Oakland Athletics for the best record in the AL, and only recieved home field advantage because it was an even numbered year. From 1969-1993, MLB rotated home field advantage between the East division and West division, regardless of records. The Blue Jays took down the Athletics in six games, including two of the three played at Skydome.

The Blue Jays then went on to win the World Series in six games against the Atlanta Braves. One year later they repeated and this time they were the outright best team in the AL.

In 1993, the Blue Jays had 95 wins, compared to the Chicago White Sox's 94 wins. Due to the alternating schedule, the White Sox got home field advantage in the ALCS, but the Blue Jays took down the White Sox in six games including winning all three of the games that took place at Comiskey Park (III) in Chicago.

The Blue Jays won the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in six games and in that series they had home field advantage.

The only other time the Blue Jays finished with the best record in the AL and didn't make the World Series was in 1985 when they fell in seven games in the ALCS to the Kansas City Royals after having 99 wins. The other four ALCS losses in Blue Jays history came when the Blue Jays didn't have the AL's best record.

The Blue Jays made it to the ALCS in 1989, 1991, 2015 and 2016 and that's where their season came to an end in losses to the Athletics, the Twins, the Royals, and the Guardians. Only one of those four ALCS appearances went six games for the Blue Jays.

Today in 2025, the Blue Jays are in a tight race for the best record with the Tigers while
the Astros and Mariners could close in as well in an attempt to jump both the Blue Jays and Tigers.