

Chris Fox, CP24.com





If you weren’t able to snag a ticket for any of the Blue Jays playoff games this week but still want to cheer on the team alongside a huge crowd you may just be in luck.

The City of Toronto has announced that it will broadcast Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division series on a large six-foot by six-foot screen set up in Nathan Phillips Square, or as it is being dubbed on social media the #BirdsNest

According to a press release, food trucks will also be parked in the square to give fans a “stadium-like experience.”

In Mississauga arrangements have similarly been made for the first two Jays playoff games and select playoff games after that to be shown on the big screen at Celebration Square.

Game 1 gets underway at 3:37 p.m. today while Game 2 starts at 12:45 p.m. on Friday.

Details about possible screenings of subsequent playoff games at Nathan Phillips Square will be announced at a later date but a city official tells CP24 that the intent is to show all home and away games during the playoffs on the big screen.

The estimated cost of screening playoff baseball at Nathan Phillips Square is $10,000 per game.

“We anticipate that the Jays will go deep and we are going to bring more and more food trucks and just keep building on the momentum,” Special Events Coordinator Harold Mah told CP24 on Thursday morning. “The longer the Jays go, the more I think this will pick up.”

Blue Jays fever builds

As the Blue Jays first playoff game in 22 years draws closer, the buzz in and around Toronto is building to a near fever pitch with water cooler conversations about David Price’s dominance and Troy Tulowitzki’s return from the disabled list becoming the norm.

Meanwhile, due to the afternoon start times for Game 1 and 2 a number of workplaces are making special arrangements for employees to watch the action on television while the Blue Jays themselves are circulating a fill-in-the-blank sick note from “Dr. October” excusing Jays fans who have come down with "postseason fever" from work.

City councillor and social media celebrity Norm Kelly even weighed in on Twitter, suggesting that food poisoning, a migraine, a pet emergency or a dental emergency would all be good excuses for Jays fans looking to duck out of work to catch the big game.

Speaking with CP24 outside city hall on Thursday afternoon, Mayor John Tory said he hopes Torontonians just enjoy the ride.

“You gotta enjoy this. It is the first time in 22 years and it is the start of what I hope will be a long run right through Nov. 4 (when Game 7 of the World Series would be played),” he said. “I think it energizes the city and makes you feel good about the Blue Jays but also where we live and who we are. It’s all positive.”

Tory told CP24 that he plans to go to both Game 1 and 2 with two of his children and a good friend and expects memories of Blue Jays World Series wins in 1992 and 1993 to come flowing back.

Feelings of nostalgia may be stoked even further when former Jays manager Cito Gaston throws out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of today’s game.

One city councillor who spoke with CP24 earlier on Thursday said he is banking on a Jays playoff run bringing the city together in a way it hasn't been for some time.

“There is nothing better to bring a city together than a successful sports franchise. The Jays have been out of the playoffs for so many years and it so exciting to see them back,” Ward 10 Coun. James Pasternak said. “Toronto is ready for another great athletic success and the Blue Jays have a great opportunity to bring it.”

TTC and Metrolinx to beef up service

Metrolinx and the TTC plan to have extra trains on hand at Union Station following all Blue Jays playoff games to help take baseball fans home. The TTC also plans to have transit ambassadors on hand at Union, St Andrew and Spadina stations to help direct riders.

A number of road closures will also be effect for the area in and around the Rogers Centre to help accommodate the exodus of baseball fans after all playoff games.

The road closures are as follows:

The southbound lanes of Blue Jays Way from Front Street West to Navy Wharf

The eastbound lanes of Bremner Boulevard from Spadina Avenue to Rees Street

The westbound lanes of Bremner Boulevard from Lower Simcoe to Navy Wharf

Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.

In case you need some excuses to skip work today to watch the @BlueJays: - Food poisoning - Pet emergency - Migraine - Dental emergency — Norm Kelly (@norm) October 8, 2015

Don't worry #Toronto, I've got you covered for work and school this afternoon! #ComeTogether pic.twitter.com/WeMymGzN2P — Mark Grimes (@Mark_Grimes) October 8, 2015

TO Residents, please excuse me from today's budget meetings. I have other numbers on my mind. #ComeTogether #TOpoli https://t.co/1e5z8THYCu — Gary Crawford (@CllrCrawford) October 8, 2015

Dear Ward 22 residents (my boss), about tomorrow, well, 3:37pm onwards. May I? I promise to continue working hard for you! #ComeTogether — Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) October 8, 2015

Remember for instant breaking news follow @cp24 on Twitter.