The rivalry between Ottawa and Toronto sports fans is being set aside Thursday as the Toronto Blue Jays start their playoff run.
It has been 22 years since the Jays played baseball in October and Jays fever is spreading quickly over the capital.
The Blue Jays host the Texas Rangers in Games 1 and 2 of the American League Division Series starting on Thursday afternoon.
Anthony Moussignac says everyone in Canada is cheering for Toronto, “the whole nation is behind it, it's really cool, you feel like you are a part of it.”
Mayor Jim Watson and City Councillor Jody Mitic raised a Toronto Blue Jays flag outside of City Hall Thursday morning to support the playoff run. “They had an incredible season, and it’s been 22 years since they made the playoffs, and now this is an opportunity for Ottawa, for Ottawa fans, to finally support a Toronto team,” Watson says.
Charles Soifer remember the last time the Jays were in the playoffs- but didn’t think he would see it again. “ I didn’t think this was going to happen in my lifetime. it's kind of like a pinch me I am dreaming moment,” he says.
Cynthia Lascelle was four years old in 1993, but she calls herself the “biggest Blue Jays fan in Ottawa.” She says it feels like Christmas. “I have been following them for a long time and have a huge passion for baseball and watching them for this far has been awesome.”
But the success of the team has also made some new fans. “Yes, I definitely jumped on the bandwagon, that’s what I did basically,” says Cyr Simon. He bought his first jersey Thursday, after only being a Jays fan for a few weeks.
The Blue Jays and Texas Rangers will play a best of five series, the winner will go on to play in American League Championship Series.
