With post-season hopes fading fast for the reigning American League champions, they’ll return to the field Sunday looking to salvage a victory in the finale of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers in Arlington (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT).
Miles has been among the few bright spots in an uneven Blue Jays season, posting a 2.65 ERA over 47 appearances (91.2 innings) as an opener, middle reliever and late-inning arm in his debut campaign.
The Blue Jays will be leaning on Miles once again Sunday as they enter the day three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the final AL wild-card berth with just seven contests remaining in the season.
Toronto has endured a crushing start to what lined up as a pivotal series against the Rangers, dropping the first two games 7-1 and 6-2 as a long-awaited offensive breakout remains on hold.
They’ll face a stiff test in deGrom, who’s enjoyed a strong and healthy season, registering a 3.79 ERA and 1.07 WHIP across 29 starts while striking out 194 across 154.1 innings.
He’ll take the mound with Texas looking to build on its one-game AL West lead over the Houston Astros.
Toronto, meanwhile, has managed just 11 hits through two games in the series and has scored only nine runs over its past four games, three of which were losses.
Now, the Blue Jays, at 76-79, will need help if they want to make a miracle run at the post-season. Scoreboard watching on Sunday will include the White Sox (79-76) hosting the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians (80-75) taking on the Athletics.
The Blue Jays wrap their regular season with three games on the road against the Baltimore Orioles beginning Monday before returning home for a closing three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday.
Any ideas of continuing to play beyond that likely begin with a win against the Rangers.