Blue Jays clinch playoff spot with 8-5 win over Royals

The Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

The Toronto Blue Jays officially clinched a playoff berth after defeating the Kansas City Royals 8-5 on Sunday.

It will be the first post-season appearance for the Jays (90-66) since 2023, when they were topped by the Minnesota Twins in the wild-card round.

Toronto also became the first team in the American League to clinch a playoff berth.

Toronto entered the day needing a win or losses from the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians.

The Blue Jays boast the best record in the AL. However, Toronto only has a two-game edge on the New York Yankees for top spot in the AL East with six games left in the regular season.

A division crown along with clinching the first or second seed in the AL would give the Blue Jays a bye through the wild-card round and home-field advantage in the AL Division Series.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 21, 2025.