5 postseason keys for the Toronto Blue Jays

Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates scoring a run with catcher Russell Martin (55) during the eighth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

The Toronto Blue Jays look like World Series favorites entering the playoffs, but their path to a title won’t come easy.

More from MLB

Fresh off snapping the longest playoff drought of the four major sports, the Toronto Blue Jays are ready to seriously challenge for a World Series title.

Toronto clinched its first postseason birth since 1993 with a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays, and now with a healthy lead in the AL East, the Blue Jays have a good chance to host the winner of the AL Wild Card Game in the ALDS, which very well could end up being a tense series with the division rival New York Yankees.

The Blue Jays have risen to the top of the AL behind a complete team effort. Everyone knows Toronto features a potent lineup lead by MVP candidate Josh Donaldson, but the Blue Jays also rank among the best in the Majors in several pitching categories since the All-Star break.

A number of moves at the trade deadline set up Toronto for a postseason run. While David Price and Troy Tulowitzki stand out as the biggest of those acquisitions, a few smaller moves helped turn the Blue Jays into a team with minimal weaknesses.

Toronto is an intimidating matchup for anyone and will present major problems for the starting rotations of other AL playoff teams. However, just like with any contender, a few key things will have to go right for the Blue Jays to win their third World Series title.

Next: Have a healthy and effective Troy Tulowitzki