“Please don’t be long … please don’t you be very long” — I’m hoping the topic’s not moot by the time you finish!

(1) Since 1969 and before Toronto’s current streak, there were 66 one-season streaks of at least 11 wins that had a chance to be extended.* Those teams went 30-36 bidding for game 12.

* The 1970 and ’71 Orioles each won their last 11 games of the year and are not included in this count.

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(2) Through 6/23/2013, Atlanta is the only division leader that also owns the division’s longest winning streak this year:

• Boston’s best is 7, surpassed by Toronto’s 11;
• Detroit’s 5 is topped by Cleveland & KC (6 each), and matched by Minnesota;
• Three AL West teams have longer streaks than Texas’s 5 (A’s 9, Angels 8, Astros 6);
• Milwaukee has the longest streak in the NL Central (9), plus a share of last place; and
• Arizona’s 3 pursuers all have longer streaks than the Snakes’ 5-gamer (Rockies 8, Padres 7, Giants 6).

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(3) Last year, 9 of the 19 longest streaks were by teams that missed the playoffs, including 5 of the 10 longest:
(bold=division winner, bold italic=wild card):

• 10 — Reds, Yankees
• 9 — Athletics, White Sox
• 8 — Nationals, Rangers, Rays, Angels, Padres, Mariners
• 7 — Braves (twice), Yankees, Athletics, Rangers, Marlins, Mariners, Phillies, Rays

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(4) For the last 20 World Series champions, the median best win streak is 8:

• 2012 Giants, 6 (there were 19 longer streaks; 10 the longest)
• 2011 Cardinals, 5 (44 longer streaks; 12 the longest)
• 2010 Giants, 5 (36 longer; 11 the longest)
• 2009 Yankees, 9 (4; 11)
• 2008 Phillies, 7 (15; 10)
• 2007 Red Sox, 5 (29; 11)
• 2006 Cardinals, 7 (27; 12)
• 2005 White Sox, 8 (4; 10)
• 2004 Red Sox, 10 (2; 12)
• 2003 Marlins, 7 (14; 12)
• 2002 Angels, 10 (1; 20)
• 2001 Diamondbacks, 9 (6; 15)
• 2000 Yankees, 8 (5; 15)
• 1999 Yankees, 7 (13; 14)
• 1998 Yankees, 10 (3; 11)
• 1997 Marlins, 8 (6; 10)
• 1996 Yankees, 5 (43; 11)
• 1995 Braves, 9 (1; 12)
• 1993 Blue Jays, 9 (3; 11)
• 1992 Blue Jays, 8 (7; 13)

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(5) Win streaks of 12 or more in the divisional era:
(within one season, regular season only, completed seasons only)

• 20 wins — 2002 Athletics — Lost first round
• 16 wins — 1977 Royals — Lost ALCS
• 15 wins
  — 2001 Mariners — Lost ALCS
  — 2000 Braves — Swept in first round
  — 1991 Twins — WON IT ALL
• 14 winss
  — 1999 Padres — Finished 74-88
  — 1991 Rangers — Finished 85-77 (10 games behind)
  — 1988 Athletics — Lost WS
  — 1973 Orioles — Lost ALCS
• 13 wins
  — 1999 Orioles — Finished 78-84
  — 1992 Braves — Lost WS
  — 1991 Phillies — Finished 78-84
  — 1987 Brewers — Finished 91-71 (7 games behind)
  — 1982 Braves — Swept in NLCS
  — 1978 Orioles — Finished 90-71 (9 games behind)
  — 1977 Phillies — Lost NLCS
• 12 wins
  — 2011 Rangers — Lost WS
  — 2011 Tigers — Lost ALCS
  — 2006 Red Sox — Finished 86-76 (9 games behind wild card)
  — 2004 Astros — Lost NLCS
  — 2004 Devil Rays — Finished 70-91
  — 2003 Diamondbacks — Finished 84-78 (7 games behind wild card)
  — 2001 Cubs — Finished 88-74 (5 games behind division & wild card)
  — 1999 Astros — Lost first round
  — 1995 Red Sox — Swept in first round
  — 1988 Red Sox — Swept in ALCS
  — 1982 Cardinals — WON IT ALL
  — 1980 Twins — Finished 77-84
  — 1976 Dodgers — Finished 92-70 (10 games behind)

— Just two out of 29 teams that won at least 12 in a row, went all the way.

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(6) Win streaks of 11 or more by World Series champs in the divisional era:

• 15 — 1991 Twins
• 12 — 1982 Cardinals
• 11 — 1986 Mets
• 11 — 1970 Orioles
• 11 — 1969 Mets

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(7) The Blue Jays are 52-79 all-time in Tropicana Field, and their starting pitcher tonight, Esmil Rogers, has pitched better at home (which seems only fitting).

May the better team win!