Blue Jays can’t figure out Cole, denied sweep of Yankees

NEW YORK — Some nights you win, some nights you lose and some nights you don’t even get to choose.

Gerrit Cole decided everyone’s fate on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium with a nearly flawless game, a pair of doubles the only blemishes on what felt like an exclamation point on an American League Cy Young season. Toronto nearly pulled off a ninth-inning rally, but Cole had put them in too much of a hole with eight strong innings.

Even coming off a 5-3 loss that snapped a five-game winning streak, though, the Blue Jays leave town with a series win and a clear path to the postseason.

“They knew where we’re at,” said manager John Schneider after his team loaded the bases but fell just short in the ninth. “You tip your hat to a really good pitcher. I love the effort. Our defense was awesome the entire series, as was the pitching.”

Thursday’s loss cost the Blue Jays a half-game on their hold of the second AL Wild Card spot with the Mariners, Rangers and Astros all off Thursday. With the Blue Jays hopping a flight to St. Petersburg to face the Rays on Friday, the Mariners and Rangers will play their first of seven remaining games against one another, which should significantly limit the likelihood that both can outpace Toronto.

You’re already seeing signs of how the Blue Jays will try to condense their strengths for the postseason, and more will come over these final nine games. Bullpens shrink, stars are leaned on and every inch matters, particularly late in games.

Here’s how the Blue Jays will look different over the final nine games and beyond.

Bad luck, bad timing for VladdyThe good news? An MRI showed no structural damage to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s right knee. Nothing is torn, nothing is strained.

The bad news? One of the Blue Jays’ best hitters, and one with more potential to change a game than anyone in this lineup, is hurting. Guerrero pinch-hit late with the bases loaded on Thursday. He beat out a double play, but was immediately replaced by a pinch-runner.

“I’ll tell you the truth, it’s very hard for me not being in the lineup,” Guerrero said through a club interpreter. “I thank God that we’re in an OK position right now. We are holding a playoff spot. I would rather take care of this now than risk losing the rest of the season or playoffs.”

This means more reps for Spencer Horwitz, who started at first on Thursday, and more time for Cavan Biggio in the corner as well. Brandon Belt can still be a factor if he returns from a back injury, but after he felt good coming out of Tuesday’s swinging session, Wednesday “didn’t feel as great,” Schneider said.

More of: BiggioRegardless of where Biggio plays, he’s no longer just being wedged in here and there when someone else needs a breather.

Biggio is suddenly a core piece of what the Blue Jays are doing in late September. He’s earned it on both sides of the ball, shaking off a slow start and inconsistent playing time through the year to find the best baseball of his career when it matters most.

“Honestly, the biggest thing is that I’m playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Biggio said. “I’m doing whatever I have to do to help this team win offensively, defensively or with baserunning. It’s the time of year where not a whole lot of thought goes into it. It’s just about going out there and competing, doing whatever I can do to make the play.”

More of: Late-game aggressionCam Eden is here to run.

The Blue Jays promoted Eden on Wednesday with that in mind after he went 53-for-57 on stolen-base attempts at Triple-A Buffalo this season. Stealing 53 bags is impressive, but his success rate is absolutely incredible.

“There’s a few different tells with different pitchers, for sure,” Eden said about that success. “Jake McGuiggan, one of our assistant coaches down in Buffalo, he’s huge on finding the tells, so we study before games. Once I get on base, I’m looking for an offspeed count, which for the most part are good counts to go on. Other than that, I just really trust my speed to get me there and make sure I focus on a really good jump. I usually feel pretty safe if I get a good jump.”

Eden is also a strong defender, but he’s here to steal 90 feet. Think of Dalton Pompey in 2015 as the Blue Jays grow bolder and more aggressive down the stretch.