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The clinch was a cinch as the Jays’ improbable journey became complete Sunday at home, where the club last laid claim to first place in the AL East way back in 1992.
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Yet another sold-out crowd was on hand, many of whom weren’t either born or were too young to remember the franchise’s last feat, but all will certainly cherish this moment as the Jays move on to the best-of-five divisional series.
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With Kevin Gausman on the mound, the crowd whipped into a frenzy, the stakes as high as they were; this became a coronation, though Gausman failed to live up to his billing as staff ace.
The undisputed star to emerge was Alejandro Kirk, who would record 14 total bases in four at-bats, beginning with his homer in Saturday’s win.
Sunday, he went deep twice, including belting a career-first grand slam, en route to a six-RBI afternoon as the Jays beat the Rays, 13-4, to win the AL East title.
He was given a curtain call following his first-inning slam and was later accorded two standing ovations when he stepped up to the plate.
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A third was given when Kirk struck out in the eighth inning.
The normally placid Kirk couldn’t hold back his emotions.
His exploits in the team’s most meaningful game, for now that is, almost make people overlook Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ongoing ineffectiveness.
The Jays’ run in the coming post-season will be short-lived if the half-a-billion-dollar first baseman doesn’t regain some kind of power presence, especially if Toronto ends up meeting the power-centric Yankees.
The Yankees, who entered the day tied with the Jays atop the AL East, lost control of their destiny when Toronto won the season series and with it the tiebreaker.
New York would also win Sunday.
The Jays and Bronx Bombers are in the same playoff bracket, paving the way for a potential first-ever matchup between the two sides.
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The following are three takeaways on a day the Jays would win the franchise’s seventh division title by going 94-68 on the season, a day when Toronto’s once-maligned bullpen came through, a day when the Jays would hit four home runs in winning their fourth game in a row.
1. Kevin is not OK
In his biggest start of the season, Gausman was far from his best.
In fact, he was mediocre.
Through three innings, Gausman had thrown 66 pitches, including 39 in the third when the Rays scored three runs.
He left with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning, but would be bailed out when Mason Fluharty, who has been clutch in big-time moments this season, came in relief to record the third out on a strikeout at a critical juncture.
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He promptly retired the side in order in the fifth.
For Gausman, his 3.2-inning outing, his second-lowest of the season by the way, increased his year-long total to a career-high 193.0 innings.
He was picked up by his offence, and in particular, Gausman’s battery mate in Kirk.
Gausman is expected to start Game 1 in the ALDS because his body of work merits it.
The Kevin Gausman on Sunday won’t cut it, but it’s doubtful a second stinker will be produced.
2. By George, he’s been elite
There was the night deep in Texas when Bo Bichette came off the bench to hit a pinch-hit home run and the night when the Jays avoided what would have been the first home series sweep when Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam.
In terms of defining moments, rewind to July 3 when George Springer hit two home runs in sparking the Jays to an 8-5 win over the Yankees as Toronto completed its franchise-first four-game home sweep over their AL East rivals.
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The win vaulted the Jays atop the division and they would never look back.
As soon as Springer was reinserted into the leadoff spot, his presence in the order has been unmistakable as it’s been indispensable.
Springer has never hit for a .300 average in his career, entering the season finale batting .306, while launching 31 homers and recording 82 RBI.
He added to those totals in a 3-for-4 day that included a home run.
He ends the regular season with a .309 batting average and a .959 OPS.
3. Clean slate
Anthony Santander hit cleanup Sunday, which seemed fitting because no one will remember his first injury-plagued season in Toronto if he’s able to find his form in the post-season.
In other words, his slate has effectively been wiped clean.
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He struck out in his first at-bat Sunday, Santander’s fourth game back from his extended shoulder setback.
He struck out in his second at-bat.
In his third, Santander, a switch-hitter, batted left and drew a walk.
Santander went 1-for-8 with four strikeouts in his previous three games.
Up next
The ALDS awaits the Jays, who will now wait and see if Bichette (knee), Chris Bassitt (back) and Ty France (oblique) become available; rest will help, but perhaps rust will also play a factor knowing Toronto’s next game won’t be played until Oct. 4, but it will be at home where the Jays went 54-27 during the regular season; Toronto’s opponent will be the winner of the Yankees-Boston Red Sox wild card series.
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