If things had played out just a little bit differently over the course of the 2021 season, today’s finale between the Orioles and Blue Jays might be completely meaningless. If the Yankees had been able to beat the Orioles the way the Rays did, the first wild card spot would be long since settled.
If the Red Sox had not stumbled against the Orioles in the season’s final week, the second wild card spot would be settled as well. The Jays, despite having hit the most home runs of any American League team, despite leading the AL in OPS, despite having four players collect 100 or more RBI and despite having five starting pitchers who are league average or better, would be coming into this day on the outside looking in.