The Blue Jays need luck on their side in upcoming rough stretch of schedule

The Blue Jays had another successful week last week, going 4-3 where they got a well-deserved split against the Orioles and won a 3-game series against the Athletics. As a result, they find themselves two games back of the third Wild Card spot, but the schedule is set to get tougher starting with the Brewers (the Blue Jays dropped game one in 3-1 fashion), followed by the Guardians, Red Sox and Yankees. By the time they face the Astros on July 1, we'll have a rough idea of the team's plans for the trade deadline.

Toronto is headed into the Milwaukee series with some momentum having won 7 of 9 games against the White Sox, Pirates and Athletics, who have a combined record of 74-124 and are all last place in their respective divisions. However, Milwaukee, Cleveland and the Yankees all lead their respective divisions and are in the Top 10 in ERA, with the Jays at 18th (4.15).

Of all the teams they'll face in the tougher part of the schedule, the most intriguing team are the Red Sox. They are right at .500 and sit just two games back of Minnesota in the Wild Card standings but are 5th in ERA, (3.40), 8th in OPS, and an expected win/loss record of 36-20. The Guardians, who lead the AL Central despite the loss of Shane Bieber due to Tommy John Surgery, are sixth in ERA with a rotation led by Triston Mackenzie, Tanner Bibee and Logan Allen. They have a team batting average of .240 compared to Toronto's .232 and are led by José Ramirez, who 18 home runs and 62 RBI, almost double the number of Blue Jays home run leader Daulton Varsho. Don't forget the Yankees, who are led by offensive powerhouses Juan Soto and Aaron Judge.

Toronto will need luck on their side in this upcoming rough stretch. The good news is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is heating up at the plate batting .305 in his past 15 games with a pair home runs and eight driven in. Isiah-Kiner-Falefa is battIng .327 in that timespan but the bullpen is the second-worst in MLB with a combined 4.88 ERA, only Colorado's is worse and with the fewest strikeouts. On the other hand, the Cleveland bullpen is the best, (2.35 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP), Yankees 3rd, Brewers 6th, despite the injury to Devin Williams and the Red Sox 8th. If the Blue Jays are going to be successful, they'll have work their starting pitchers, they'll have to hope that underperfoming players step up and the rotation is more consistent. Their playoff odds currently sit at 19%, but there there are still rumors going surrounding the futures of Guerrero and Bichette. By the time they play the Astros on July 1, we'll have a better idea of where this team stands.