Blue Jays Make Long Series Of Lineup Changes Ahead of Biggest Series of Season vs. Guardians

We're now into September, and things are getting serious for teams chasing a playoff spot. In the American League, the last Wild Card berth is up for grabs, with as many as six teams in the wild scramble to try to claim it. Two of the frontrunners meet head-on for a three-game series starting Tuesday night, with the Toronto Blue Jays in Cleveland to take on the Guardians.

In preparation, the Jays have made a long series of moves to switch up their roster.

Former top prospect Ricky Tiedemann is back up with the big club, as is top minor league slugger Sean Keys. Additionally, left-hander Joe Mantiply has been activated from the 60-day IL and will be available out of the bullpen immediately. Infielder Josh Smith is also activated from IL.

The casualties are outfielder Daz Cameron, who has been designated for assignment, and Simeon Woods Richardson, who has cleared waivers and elected free agency.

Blue Jays add power bat and top pitching prospect to bullpen for September stretch run

Keys will add another power bat to the roster, certainly something the Jays can use. They currently rank 28th in MLB in Home Runs. Keys has 28 long balls in the high minors this season, with a 1.019 OPS. He got his feet wet in the majors back in July with 37 plate appearances. Some pop off the bench could certainly come in handy for Toronto.

Tiedemann was the Jays' No. 1 prospect just two years ago. But after missing a year and a half due to Tommy John surgery, he's back this season and is once again looking like he could help the major league team. He has posted a 3.75 ERA in 11 minor league appearances this year, striking out 12.8 batters per nine innings. The left-hander has been working out of the bullpen. Tiedemann made one appearance for the Jays two weeks ago, pitching 1.2 innings against the NY Yankees.

Going into this critical three-game set, Toronto sits only 1.5 games back (two in the loss column) of Cleveland for the third and final American League wild-card spot. The Jays are tied with the Texas Rangers at 68-70. The Baltimore Orioles are one game better and one back of the Guardians.