BALTIMORE – David Price won’t pitch again until Game 1 of the American League Division Series as the Toronto Blue Jays began gearing up for their first post-season since 1993 by giving their ace left-hander an extended period of rest.

Price, who went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 starts after his acquisition from the Detroit Tigers, was initially scheduled to start Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles, but with the American League East already clinched, the team opted to push him back.

He’ll stay sharp by throwing a simulated game or two before the post-season opener next Thursday.

For the season, Price is 18-5 with a 2.45 ERA in 220.1 innings over 32 starts, positioning him as a top candidate for the American League Cy Young Award.

Mark Buehrle starts Friday’s regular-season closing series against the Tampa Bay Rays with Marco Estrada to follow Saturday.

The Blue Jays were considering a bullpen game Sunday although if Buehrle is short of the 200-inning plateau, he may start the finale to reach the milestone for a 15th straight season.

Marcus Stroman was slated to start that game but Tuesday’s postponement pushed him off turn, although he could throw a couple of innings to stay sharp.

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TULOWITZKI TIME: Troy Tulowitzki’s batting practice session in the cages Thursday went well and the Blue Jays plan to have the all-star shortstop face live pitching in a simulated game Friday before an expected return Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Blue Jays planned to bring a couple of pitchers down to Tropicana Field from their instructional league workouts in nearby Dunedin, Fla., in order to give Tulowitzki a look at some real pitching before returning to the field.

He suffered a fractured left scapula, or shoulder blade, Sept. 12.

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PROPS FROM PAT: Alex Anthopoulos is the second general manager to build an AL East champion club for the Blue Jays, and the first to do it is very happy for Toronto and his former team.

"You naturally have a feeling for the city that gave you an opportunity to really get your feet on the ground, it was my first chance (to be a general manager)," said Pat Gillick, who will be succeeded as Philadelphia Phillies president by Andy MacPhail at season’s end. "I’m a dual citizen, moved up there in 1977 and lived there until 2007, you have a feeling for what the fans are like, what support you got, so you certainly have a special feeling for the city. It’s good for your psyche, it’s good for your morale, for the city, if the people can have something they can attach themselves to, something they can be proud of, whatever it might be.

"Unfortunately professional sports teams in Toronto haven’t been where they should be, so consequently, after 20-something years for them to get back to the playoffs, I’m real happy for them, I’m happy for the fans, and I hope they go out and win another World Series."