COMMENTARY
Three years ago, the Blue Jays hosted the Orioles in the AL Wild Card game, a pair of 89-win teams who outpaced the “rebuilding” Yankees while the Sox won their first of three straight division titles.
How quickly can times change? Chris Davis hit 38 home runs for Baltimore in 2016. Reigning MVP Josh Donaldson was fourth in the ’16 AL race for Toronto, just ahead of Manny Machado. The Jays’ staff was the AL’s best, posting a 3.78 ERA with first-year starter Marcus Stroman bringing up the rear.
Jose Bautista had his last great season, capped by slugging the first of three home runs in an extra-inning classic most notable for who didn’t pitch in it.