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Argos to play upcoming home games in Ottawa due to Blue Jays’ playoff prospects

Toronto Argonauts' Akwasi Owusu-Ansah intercepts the ball from Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Tiquan Underwood during first half CFL action in Toronto on Friday, September 11, 2015. The Argonauts are being forced out of their home stadium by baseball's powerhouse Blue Jays.The CFL club will have to play its Oct. 6 home game against the Redblacks in Ottawa because the Jays could be playing in the American League wild-card game that day at Rogers Centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim

TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts will play their upcoming home game in Ottawa, instead of in Toronto as originally scheduled, due to the Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff hopes.

The Argos said in a statement that the home game against the Ottawa Redblacks, originally scheduled to be played at the Rogers Centre on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m., will instead be played at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.

“We have been aware for some time that Rogers Centre might not be available to our team during the month of October should the Toronto Blue Jays make it into the MLB post-season,” said Toronto Argonauts Executive Chairman and CEO Chris Rudge.

“Due to the tremendous success the Blue Jays have experienced this season, Rogers Centre officials informed us in writing several weeks ago to begin seeking out alternative locations for some of our October home games.”

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Rudge said the organization wanted to communicate plans early so that fans and stakeholders can prepare for the move.

“As an organization, our preference is not to have our team play back-to-back games in Ottawa,” said Rudge.

“But this is an extraordinary circumstance and TD Place Stadium is available, CFL-ready and broadcast-ready.”

He added that the Ottawa RedBlacks organization had been very accommodating and understanding and the team was thankful to them for making this a “viable option.”

“While this scenario certainly offers some challenges to our team,” Rudge said.

“I would like everyone to know that we are excited for the run the Blue Jays have made to date and we wish them best of luck down the stretch and, hopefully, into the post-season.”

Fans who have purchased tickets to the Oct. 6 game will be contacted by a Toronto Argonauts ticket representative in the near future.

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