GDB +1.0: Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays kick off 2023 playoffs against Minnesota Twins

Playoff baseball has arrived.

It’s been a long, arduous journey to get here, but we are a mere few hours away from Toronto Blue Jays post-season ball.

The stage has been set. The scrappy Minnesota Twins, who came out atop a flaccid AL Central with an 87-75 record up against the Jays — a team that some would say underperformed this season, yet were more than deserving of a Wild Card berth.

Some may call it a David vs. Goliath, of sorts. Minnesota’s soft division surely helped propel them to the post-season while the Jays — the so-called Goliath in this scenario — just eeked into the playoffs. Toronto would be fools to think they could roll the Twins in this series.

After all, these two teams split the six regular season games they played this season. Toronto took three games with 7-6, 3-0 and 3-1 wins, while Minnesota’s three saw them take 9-4, 3-2 and 9-7 victories. On average, nine runs were scored in each game, so more offensive fireworks should be in tow this week.

Both teams are looking to break playoff droughts. Minnesota’s dates back to 2004 when the Twins faced the New York Yankees in the ALDS taking game one of the series. They’ve dropped 18 since.

Toronto, meanwhile, is looking for their first win since the 2016 ALCS against Kansas City.

No matter what comes next, this series will be a treat to watch.

First pitch: 4:38 p.m EST — Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650.

Moneyline: TOR +100; MIN -110.

*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks playoff baseball.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.