Blue Jays face crucial final month of season

For some teams, September baseball can be one of the most agonizing parts of the season. For others, it can be one of the most exciting. 

For the Toronto Blue Jays, it's the latter. 

Heading into Wednesday's games, Toronto is in first place in the American League East (75-57), sitting two games in front of the Boston Red Sox and three games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles. In fact, the Jays' recent surge — they've won four of their last five  — has seen them move into a tie with the Cleveland Indians at 75 wins for the second most in the American League, trailing only the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.

The Blue Jays were in an almost identical position last year, when they were 74-57 (a half game worse than their current record), and led the Yankees by 1½ games for the division lead on Aug. 31. They would end up going 19-12 the rest of the way to clinch their first division title since 1993. 

Now, once again, Toronto faces an all-important final month as it tries to secure a spot in the post-season.

Here's a look at the Jays' end-of-season opponents and how they stack up.

All statistics through Aug. 30.

@ Baltimore Orioles (Aug. 30-31)

• Head-to-head: 8-7 
• Orioles' record: 72-60 (3rd in AL East, hold final wild card spot) 
• Last 10 games: 5-5

The Orioles have the worst record in the division since the all-star break at 21-24. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays have the best in the entire AL at 24-17. 

@ Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 2-4) 

• Head-to-head: 6-7
• Rays' record: 56-75 (5th in AL East) 
• Last 10 games: 5-5 

Tampa Bay's defence and pitching have been among the best in all of baseball since the all-star break giving up the fewest number of runs in the AL with 151. They've also scored the second most with 205, resulting in a 22-21 record since the break.

@ New York Yankees (Sept. 5-7) 

• Head-to-head: 9-3 
• Yankees' record: 68-63 (4th in AL East, 3½ games out of wild card) 
• Last 10 games: 6-4

Since Gary Sanchez's call-up on Aug. 3, the Yankees have gone 14-10 to stay in the wild card hunt. Sanchez has hit .400 with 11 home runs and 21 RBI in those 24 games. 

Vs. Boston Red Sox (Sept. 9-11)

• Head-to-head: 7-6
• Red Sox' record: 73-59 (2nd in AL East, hold top wild card spot) 
• Last 10 games: 4-6. 

ESPN's Buster Olney noted that in games started by anyone other than Rick Porcello, the Red Sox have a record of 53-52. In games started by anyone other than J.A. Happ, the Blue Jays have a record of 56-51.

Vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Sept. 12-14) 

@ Los Angeles Angels (Sept. 15-18) 

• Head-to-head: 1-2 
• Angels' record: 58-74 (Last in AL West)
• Last 10 games: 7-3

Albert Pujols is one home run away from grabbing sole possession of ninth place all-time. He is currently tied with Frank Robinson at 586.

@ Seattle Mariners (Sept. 19-21) 

• Head-to-head: 1-2
• Mariners' record: 68-64 (4 games out of wild card)
• Last 10 games: 2-8

Just 11 days ago, on Aug. 20, the Mariners were 66-56, one game behind Baltimore for the final wild card spot in the AL. Since then, they've lost eight of ten games. 

vs. New York Yankees (Sept. 23-26)

vs. Baltimore Orioles (Sept. 27-29) 

@ Boston Red Sox (Sept. 30-Oct. 2)