Heading into this week’s three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles, many thought the result of this series could determine the Toronto Blue Jays’ fate.

Those who made that statement were just a tad off. Sure, the Orioles are division rivals, and happen to be the team Toronto is chasing for the American League East title.

But it turns out the next two series against the Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners could very well sink the Jays. When you look at the opposing pitchers Toronto will see in the next six games, it is truly frightening.

Aug 5, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

First, on Friday night, Anibal Sanchez gets the ball for the Tigers in game one. Sure, his numbers are down from last year, when he had the lowest earned run average in the American League, but Sanchez is no slouch. The Venezuelan is coming off a seven-inning, two-hit shutout against the Colorado Rockies. He threw in 12 strikeouts for good measure.

What is terrifying is the fact that Sanchez’s 3.37 ERA is the highest of any of the pitchers Toronto will see in the foreseeable future.

On Saturday, Max Scherzer takes the mound. Last year’s Cy Young winner has not allowed more than three runs in any of his last eight starts. Then on Sunday, it’s David Price‘s turn to haunt the Blue Jays wearing a new uniform. Over the course of his career, Price has amassed a 15-2 record against Canada’s team. He also holds an ERA of 2.31 during that time. Toronto struggles against southpaws, so going up against one of baseball’s best could be a disaster.

Moving to the Mariners series, surprise, another former Cy Young winner will be on the bump. Who is it? Felix Hernandez, the all-star starter for the American League this season. King Felix is making a strong case for another Cy Young with his 1.97 ERA and WHIP of 0.88 in 2014. Yes, you read those numbers right.

Aug 5, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Then it’s on to Chris Young, the 6-10 right-hander. Young is having an outstanding season, but has been flying under the radar. The 35-year-old has pitched at least five innings in 20 consecutive starts. He has been as reliable as they come.

Finally, finishing up this nightmare of a stretch for the Jays will be Hisashi Iwakuma. An all-star a season ago, Iwakuma has a dazzling 2.94 ERA in 18 starts this season. His WHIP sits under 1.00, thanks mostly to his major league-leading 0.8 walks per nine innings.

Yikes.

Seattle is one of the teams battling the Blue Jays for the second Wild Card position, so if it does not go well, this six-game stretch could all but end Toronto’s season, or at the very least, put it on life support. At least Brett Lawrie is back, right? Oh, wait…

What do you think Toronto’s record will be in these next six games?

What will the Blue Jays' Record be in the Next Six Games? 6-0

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