They were among baseball’s best teams last year. Now they could miss the playoffs.

The Toronto Blue Jays, once poised to win the World Series last season, now face the possibility of missing the playoffs. Just nine months after reaching the championship series against the Seattle Mariners, both teams find themselves struggling to maintain their high standards. The Blue Jays, who finished with 94 wins, tied for the best in the American League, now sit below .500, while the Mariners, who secured 90 victories in their breakout 2025 campaign, also trail the cutoff for postseason contention. With less than a month remaining in the regular season, the race for the final wild-card spot has intensified, leaving the door open for unexpected contenders. The Blue Jays' downward spiral began early in the season. Manager John Schneider noted that routine errors, such as failed tag-ups and mishandled bunts, contributed to a sluggish start. By mid-April, the team was already 4-4, and Schneider expressed concern over the team's performance. “We’re eight games into the season, and I feel like we’ve had some games that scream ‘not us,’” he said. “And when we play ‘us,’ we’re good.” Despite these early signs of trouble, the Blue Jays remained optimistic, especially with the emergence of pitcher Dylan Cease, who has become a Cy Young contender. Cease has allowed just nine home runs and posted a .175 batting average against, showcasing his dominance on the mound. However, the team's offensive struggles have undermined its success. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the franchise’s cornerstone, has struggled to replicate his stellar performance from last season. In 117 games this year, he has hit just seven home runs, including none at home. This drop-off has raised concerns among executives and fans alike. General manager Ross Atkins admitted the team has not yet found the right approach to help Guerrero perform at his peak. “I lose sleep … and we need to do a better job,” Atkins said during a recent radio interview. “It has been very disappointing that we haven’t been able to provide the right support for him.” Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners, who also enjoyed a historic season in 2025, have faced similar challenges. Star player Cal Raleigh described the team’s current state as “very, very, very bad” in multiple facets of the game. The Mariners, too, have seen their offense falter, ranking among the worst in the league in key categories such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Their inability to sustain the momentum from last year has left them in a precarious position, mirroring the Blue Jays’ plight. As both teams prepare for a crucial three-game series, the broader landscape of the American League reveals a competitive battle for the postseason. The Tampa Bay Rays lead the division with a 79-54 record, followed closely by the New York Yankees, who remain in contention despite star player Aaron Judge’s injury. The Boston Red Sox, despite firing much of their coaching staff, hold the third-best record at 73-60. Even more surprising is the resurgence of the Chicago White Sox, who have improved significantly from their dismal 41-win season two years ago. Seven other teams are within six games of .500, creating a chaotic and unpredictable race for the final playoff spots. Both the Blue Jays and Mariners have seen their offensive numbers plummet compared to last season. Last year, they ranked in the top five in runs scored, walks, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. This year, however, they have struggled to maintain that level of production. The Blue Jays have drawn the fewest walks in the league and have the worst on-base percentage, while the Mariners rank fourth worst in that category. Both teams now carry a negative run differential, marking a sharp contrast to their previous performances. With the stakes rising and time running out, the Blue Jays and Mariners will look to turn things around in the coming weeks. Whether they can reclaim their former glory or settle for a playoff berth remains uncertain. For now, the focus is on addressing internal issues and regaining the form that once made them contenders for the World Series.