Sweet relief: Blue Jays’ bullpen stands tall vs. O’s

TORONTO — The Blue Jays’ bullpen has taken its fair share of criticism throughout the season, but it came through in a big way in Toronto’s 5-2 victory over Baltimore in Tuesday’s American League Wild Card Game.

After six innings of two-run ball from Marcus Stroman, five relievers combined to throw five innings of near-perfect baseball, allowing one walk over that span to help vault the Blue Jays into the AL Division Series vs. the Rangers starting Thursday in Texas at 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS in the U.S., Sportsnet in Canada).

Toronto became the first team to reach the postseason with 30-plus losses from its bullpen. Blue Jays relievers finished the season with 32 losses, while their bullpen also ranked fourth in the AL in blown saves (22) and 12th in ERA (4.11).

Date Result Highlights Oct. 4 TOR 5, BAL 2 Shop for postseason gear: Orioles | Blue Jays • AL Wild Card Game coverage

Toronto relievers especially struggled down the stretch, with a 4.55 ERA in September. By contrast, Orioles relievers led the AL with a 3.40 ERA — 1.89 in the season’s final month — and ranked 14th with just 14 blown saves all season.

“We have confidence in everyone,” Blue …

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