The Toronto Blue Jays did it—they punched their ticket to October this weekend after their win over the Kansas City Royals. They are not just looking to make it deep in the postseason or win the division crown—they now have a hope to win the ring and go till the end. The journey till here has been anything but simple for them, because back in May, if you’d told anyone that the Jays would be WS contenders, others would have laughed it off. The team was under .500, and the offense looked lackluster. But the tables have turned.

However, even then, the mood in Toronto might be less celebration and more cautious exhale. Because Jays are sure to be in, but everyone knows the real test is what’s still to come. The Blue Jays have a mountain to climb—they need to break a 32-year drought. They haven’t lifted a pennant since 1993, and every new playoff berth only makes the absence more glaring. In fact, they haven’t made it to even getting the division crown since 10 years ago—the last being 2015. Every season, it has been a close miss for them.

But this season, it is different. For a franchise that has climbed from last place to first in the AL this season, the pressure is not about qualifying. It is about the fact that they can cross the final finish line. And according to ESPN, that pressure is reaching suffocating levels.

ESPN’s Pressure Index puts Toronto at 105.1, one of the highest among teams. ESPN noted that, “The Blue Jays’ rise from fifth place to first place in the AL East has ratcheted up the tension for a franchise that hasn’t seen the World Series in more than three decades despite a number of strong teams during that span. The Jays also have some big-name free agents in Bo Bichette, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Shane Bieber, who has a player option. Imagine what the pressure might feel like if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had not inked an extension back in April.” 

Well, truly, given so many superstars of the team have one foot out the door, Guerrero’s contract with the Jays gives them a breather. But, well, the pressure, as ESPN notes, is true, because even fan sentiment seems to highlight the same. Every year, The Athletic comes out with the Hope-O-Meter, and it shows the teams the fans are optimistic will win the World Series. Well, among the contenders, the Jays tanked dead last in optimism. Only 18.3% believe that this is their year. Now compare that to the Dodgers with 99.7% or the Diamondbacks at 99.4%, and the story is telling.

But part of the skepticism might have to do with the pitching staff. Although the offense looks great, there is a lack of a true ace. Kiley McDaniel of ESPN also ranked the rotation poorly and pointed out that they don’t stack up well against the superstar aces like Max Fried and Tarik Skubal. Sure, they added Shane Bieber during the trade deadline, but while he is steady, he is not dominant. The Jays simply don’t look like the staff may be built for October bats. And that’s making the fear creep in—will history repeat itself? But this was what could go wrong—now let’s look into what they can do to not let history repeat itself.

What do the Toronto Blue Jays need to make the WS?

The Toronto Blue Jays have no doubt flipped the script, and by now, they have been atop the AL East, holding off the Yankees for a good number of days. They have looked like one of the most dangerous teams. But making the postseason is something, but surviving October is just another layer of the challenge. And if the Jays are serious about making their first WS since 1993, then they will need one piece back in the lineup—Bo Bichette.

Bo Bichette has been the offensive anchor for Toronto all season. He has been the one to set the tone at the plate. However, a sprained knee sent him to the IL earlier this month. And sure, the Jays have kept winning without him—October games are not so forgiving. Bichette, for sure, won’t return before the regular season ends. And right now, the team and fans are waiting with fingers crossed, hoping that he can make it to the postseason.

And look at his numbers—18 home runs, 94 RBI, and one of the best OPS marks on the team. More RBI than strikeouts? That is just a weapon one can’t replace. But even then, there is a silver lining, or one thing that the Jays have going for them- Rogers Center. Opponents have found it almost impossible to win there. The place is smaller, and the crowds are loud—whether the cheers from the crowd help the Jays be unbeatable in their home ground or not, no one knows. But they boast one of the best home records in baseball.

Offensively, they have led the AL in batting average, on-base percentage, OPS, and RBI. In short, this lineup can crush from top to bottom. Now the question is whether they can make do without Bichette. Maybe they can. But can they go all the way without him? Well, they will need their star shortstop leading for sure.