The Blue Jays are still alive. Toronto avoided a sweep in Texas with a much-needed 7-2 win over the Rangers on Sunday, improving to 77-79 with six games remaining. The Jays enter the final week of the regular season three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot, with Chicago owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

On game 157 preview of Flight Deck, Dan Riccio breaks down Toronto’s season-saving win in Arlington. The Blue Jays put together 11 hits against Jacob deGrom and the Rangers, with Nathan Lukes and Charles McAdoo each driving in two runs. Brett Bateman was the catalyst at the top of the order, reaching base three times and scoring all three times as Toronto finally generated consistent offence.

The game broke open in the seventh inning, when Toronto scored four runs to turn a one-run lead into a comfortable advantage. Spencer Miles provided three scoreless innings as the opener before the bullpen combined to shut Texas down the rest of the way, allowing the Jays to escape Arlington with at least one win.

But the victory came with another injury concern. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited in the fourth inning with lower-back tightness, an issue that had already been bothering him entering the game. John Schneider said the Blue Jays were being cautious and hoped Vladdy would be ready for Monday, making his status something to watch ahead of first pitch.

Dan will also get into the latest concern surrounding Dylan Cease. Toronto’s ace was sent for an MRI on his right shoulder after experiencing decreased velocity in his latest start and has already been scratched from Wednesday’s scheduled outing. With only six games left, could the Blue Jays be without their best starter for the remainder of the regular season?

Looking ahead, Trey Yesavage returns from the injured list to start the series opener in Baltimore. Yesavage enters at 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA and 91 strikeouts after missing time with left-knee inflammation. Toronto is expected to limit him to roughly three innings or 45-50 pitches, putting plenty of pressure on an already heavily used bullpen.

Baltimore counters with Shane Baz, who enters at 6-15 with a 4.11 ERA and 152 strikeouts. The Orioles are 75-81 and coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of Milwaukee, meaning both AL East teams enter this series desperately trying to keep their fading postseason hopes alive.

There is no room left for a prolonged slump. Toronto’s postseason elimination number is down to three, and even winning out may require help from around the American League. Can Yesavage give the Jays what they need in his return, can the offence build off Sunday’s 11-hit performance, and can Toronto keep its season alive for another night?

We finish with Dan’s picks presented by bet365.

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The Blue Jays are officially running out of runway. Toronto dropped its second straight game to Texas on Saturday night, falling 6-2 and sliding to 76-79 with only seven games remaining. The Jays are now three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot, and because Chicago owns the tiebreaker, Toronto needs to finish outright ahead of them.

On game 156 preview of Flight Deck, Dan Riccio breaks down another costly loss in Arlington. José Soriano struggled through five-plus innings, allowing six runs — five earned — as Texas took advantage of walks, defensive mistakes and a wild pitch to build an early lead. Toronto has now lost four of its last five games at the worst possible time.

The offence once again couldn’t generate enough pressure. Alejandro Kirk drove in Toronto’s first run, while Davis Schneider provided the only extra-base damage with a solo home run in the seventh. The Jays finished with only six hits and were held in check after Rangers starter Cal Quantrill left the game with an injury in just the second inning. Jordan Montgomery stepped in and delivered 3.2 hitless innings as Texas’ bullpen completely shut down any chance of a comeback.

Dan will also look at a playoff picture that has become extremely difficult for Toronto. The White Sox won Saturday, Cleveland also picked up another victory, and the Rangers have now won six of their last seven to move into first place in the AL West. Toronto not only needs to start winning immediately, but also needs significant help around the league over the final week.

Looking ahead, Spencer Miles gets the start as Toronto tries to avoid being swept. Miles enters at 6-2 with a 2.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 87 strikeouts over 91.2 innings. He has been outstanding recently, working 7.1 scoreless innings across his last four appearances, and is expected to serve as the opener with Spencer Arrighetti available to provide bulk innings behind him.

Texas counters with Jacob deGrom, who enters at 11-9 with a 3.79 ERA and 194 strikeouts. DeGrom is coming off five innings of two-run baseball with eight strikeouts against Boston and owns a 2.53 ERA across 15 starts at Globe Life Field this season.

There is at least some positive pitching news on the horizon for Toronto. Trey Yesavage is scheduled to return Monday against Baltimore after undergoing meniscus surgery in August. He is expected to work roughly three innings and 40-50 pitches as the Jays try to piece together their injury-depleted rotation for the final week.

With seven games left, there simply isn’t much margin for another loss. Can Miles and the bullpen keep Toronto alive, can the offence find a way to solve deGrom, and can the Blue Jays salvage the finale in Texas before heading to Baltimore?

We finish with Dan’s picks presented by bet365.

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Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.

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For Game 2 of the three-game series, the Toronto Blue Jays turn to José Soriano with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance after a disastrous 7-1 loss to the Texas Rangers in the series opener.

Dylan Cease struggled badly in Game 1, lasting just 2.2 innings while walking six batters. His command and velocity were concerns throughout the outing, leading to questions about whether something could be bothering the Blue Jays’ Cy Young candidate. Toronto also continued to struggle offensively with runners in scoring position, going just 1-for-6 in those situations, while the Rangers took advantage of Toronto’s pitching and defensive mistakes to pull away.

Now, José Soriano gets the ball looking to keep the Blue Jays alive. Soriano was dominant in his previous start against the Detroit Tigers, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning before ultimately allowing four runs in a 6-5 Toronto loss. Standing across from him will be Canadian right-hander Cal Quantrill, who has been one of the Rangers’ standout stories this season. Quantrill enters the matchup with a 2.90 ERA over 108.2 innings.

With the Rangers surging and Toronto desperately needing a win, can Soriano deliver a huge performance and keep the Blue Jays’ postseason hopes alive? Or will Texas continue its strong play and put Toronto in an even deeper hole in the American League Wild Card race?

Watch the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers Game 2 preview, including José Soriano vs. Cal Quantrill, Dylan Cease’s concerning start, Toronto’s offensive struggles, the Blue Jays’ playoff hopes, the Rangers’ red-hot form and everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s crucial matchup.

We finish with Dan’s picks presented by bet365.

LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation.

Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck.

Thanks to our partners:

bet365: http://www.bet365.ca

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#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck

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