TheToronto Blue Jays They have earned their place in the 2022 MLB Playoffs as a Wild Card Team, falling short in the divisional race to the New York Yankees, who dominated the standings from the very start of the season and maintained that lead consistently.
Most betting odds showed these two teams as nearly equal in strength throughout the prior season.Ontario sportsbooks At the beginning of the season, they were roughly on par in terms of the odds, but the Yankees secured numerous victories right out of the gate, which compelled the Blue Jays to pursue a Wild Card position, which they successfully attained on September 29 in the afternoon.
MLB Wild Card Teams Since 2012
New Format in 2022
This year, the Wild Card format has been revised; rather than a single game between two competitors, there is now a complete Wild Card round featuring three teams from each league.
This introductory round will also include the division winner from each league with the least successful record, while the other two division champions proceed directly to the divisional playoff round.
The previous format, in use since 2012, has yielded two World Series Championships for Wild Card teams over a span of 18 years , with 16.7% of Wild Card teams reaching the World Series during that period.
With the increase in the number of Wild Card teams this year and the opportunity for two such teams to progress to the divisional series, these statistics may rise further, which would certainly delight Blue Jays supporters as they keep an eye on the.best Ontario betting apps .
Highlighting the triumphs of Wild Card teams in the playoffs since 2012, the 2014 San Francisco Giants and the 2019 Washington Nationals won the World Series after entering the playoffs as Wild Card teams. Interestingly, in 2014, both teams entered the playoffs as underdogs.World Series came in as Wild Cards.
Hope For Toronto
The Blue Jays have had a remarkable season so far. Although they've not managed to catch up to the Yankees, they have established themselves clearly as a playoff-caliber team, currently holding the top position in the Wild Card race.
As they are likely the frontrunner and expected to enjoy home-field advantage in their first round playoff matchup, Toronto has promising odds of making it to the divisional series. They might also find themselves in a position to overcome the Yankees and seek retaliation for their loss of the regular-season divisional title. Currently, atBetMGM Ontario sportsbook , the Jays are listed at +600 to win the American League Championship Series.
Toronto's success can be attributed to their powerful offensive lineup. Initially, they were anticipated to be one of the leading offensive teams in the league; despite not hitting as many home runs as expected, they still rank eighth in the MLB with 190 homers.
They have excelled particularly in terms of batting average, leading the league with an impressive .260 average at present.
Every player in their batting lineup has contributed significantly, with seven players making the top 70 in the league, boasting a batting average of at least .257. Notably, five players have hit over 20 home runs, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading the way with 30.
Bo Bichette has had what can be considered the most all-encompassing offensive season, ranking highly in batting average, home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases. This robust and well-rounded attack will need to be at its best for successful playoff advancement.
As has often been the case with the Blue Jays, there are concerns regarding pitching depth. Nevertheless, Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are strong assets at the head of the pitching rotation, while closer Jordan Romano has established himself as one of the most efficient in baseball. This is an area they need to address, but their potent offense could compensate.
The 2014 Giants and 2019 Nationals set a winning example for the current Blue Jays, and with the newly expanded Wild Card format, Toronto has already secured a playoff spot early on. Should they reach the divisional round, the Blue Jays stand a fantastic chance of becoming the third Wild Card team to claim a World Series title since 2012 and to make history as the first to do so in the new Wild Card era of MLB.
Over atCaesars Ontario Sportsbook , the Blue Jays are positioned at +1600 to win the World Series, trailing only behind the Dodgers, Astros, Yankees, Mets, and Braves.
Fromdeereplanet.com
