Blue Jays mathematically eliminated from postseason contention

The Blue Jays blasted the Mariners 10-2 on Tuesday night, scoring eight runs against AL Cy Young front-runner Felix Hernandez in 4 2/3 innings, but it wasn't enough to keep their postseason hopes alive. Kansas City's 7-1 win over Cleveland mathematically eliminated Toronto from the wild-card race with five games left in the season.

As recently as the beginning of August the Jays were in the second wild-card position but a 9-17 record that month saw them slip in the standings and they never recovered. A 21-9 May propelled Toronto to the top of the AL East and they held onto first place in the division until July 3 when the eventual division winning Orioles took over and never looked back.

With the Royals poised to take the second-wild spot, they have a three game lead over the Mariners, their current 28-season playoff drought would come to an end. That would leave the Blue Jays and their now 21-year postseason hiatus as the longest current streak in baseball.

The focus now shifts to how the front office plans to retool the roster in the offseason. Outfielders Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus and closer Casey Janssen will be free agents and GM Alex Anthopoulos has already stated that finding a full-time second or third baseman (Brett Lawrie will play whichever position isn't filled) is a priority. Many will call for the firing of manager John Gibbons after a second disappointing year but Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that Gibbons will be back in the Blue Jays dugout in 2015.

Before Tuesday's game the team announced that Marcus Stroman, currently serving a five-game suspension for throwing near the head of Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph, will not start again this season but could be used in relief. His turn in the rotation will be picked up by September call-up Daniel Norris, who will make his first major-league start on Thursday in the series finale against Seattle.

Toronto closes out the season this weekend with a three-game set at home against Baltimore.