MLB playoffs 2016: 3 reasons the Blue Jays make it

After being left out of the playoffs for over 20 consecutive seasons, the Toronto Blue Jays are on the verge of going back for a second straight year. Can they hang on?

The Toronto Blue Jays stormed away from the rest of the American League East last year after wheeling and dealing at the trade deadline. It has been a much bumpier road back to the postseason this year, and the Jays have not been able to bash their way past opponents like they did last year.

Injuries and an inconsistent offense have relegated the Blue Jays to the wild-card chase, but they currently hold a one-game lead over the Detroit Tigers with only nine games left in the season. With all remaining games against AL East rivals who are also in contention, Toronto has to step up if it hopes to bring the postseason back to the Rogers Centre.

Here are three reasons the Blue Jays can make that happen.

Aaron Sanchez bounced back from a rough start

The Blue Jays have had to massage their young ace’s innings in all sorts of creative ways in the second half — skipping starts, six-man rotation, a brief demotion to the minor leagues. Those best-laid plans were almost scuttled after a blister popped up during Sanchez’s start against the Boston Red Sox on September 11. He was forced out of the game after allowing six earned runs and walking four in only 3.2 innings.

After the rough start against Boston, Sanchez went ten days between starts and bounced back spectacularly. He allowed only four hits and one run in six innings against the Seattle Mariners in a key matchup. With his innings total up to 179, Sanchez has surpassed his previous career high by nearly 100.

On the year, Sanchez is 13-2 with a 3.12 ERA. His past seven starts have been a bit of a battle, however. Sanchez has thrown only 39.2 innings with a 4.54 ERA and a 3.9 BB/9. The 24-year-old right-hander is a huge part of the future in Toronto, so the care with which he was handled this year makes sense. In the here and now, however, it may have served only to disrupt his rhythm.

Sanchez is slated to start next Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles and then could fall in line to start the season finale in Boston. Depending on how well the Jays play over the next week, that could be the most important start of Sanchez’s young career.