Stretch drive: Blue Jays in battle for playoff spot over final 2 weeks of season

Baseball's stretch drive is here, and the Toronto Blue Jays are in the mix as they aim to return to the post-season after reaching the World Series last fall.

With 11 games to go following Monday’s 6-5 loss to the visiting Detroit Tigers, here’s a look at five things to watch over the season's final fortnight.

Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is showing signs that he may be ready for a long-awaited breakout.

Over the weekend, the face of the franchise homered at Rogers Centre for the first time this season. It was part of a 4-for-5 day that included a curtain call from the sellout crowd.

He entered play against Detroit with a .333 batting average and .898 OPS (on-base-plus slugging percentage) over 12 games in September.

Most of Guerrero's offensive numbers this season are below his career averages. But if the first baseman gets hot like he did last October, look out.

The American League has never seemed weaker and that may be good news for the reigning AL champions.

A .500 record might just be good enough for a division crown in the mediocre West Division as well as the middling Central race.

Urgency level high as Blue Jays look to make push for playoff spot

The third wild-card spot will likely go to a team with a similar mark.

Detroit squeaked in last year with a record of 87-75.

The Blue Jays, who took a 75-75 record into their opener against the Tigers, were just one game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the final berth.

Bullpen days have been the norm in recent weeks due to injury woes to Toronto's starting pitchers.

Some much-needed relief may soon be on the way.

Yesavage returns to injured list with knee inflammation

Trey Yesavage, who has been out six weeks after undergoing knee