My recommendation is to try and book anything in advance that you can. Prices the week of will be expensive. And, thinking of future years, booking even farther in advance is better. Right now, you won't see the savings that you would if you had booked in January or December.
Most hotels allow you to book in advance but also cancel without penalty (usually they give you 24 or 48 hours before check in) - although make sure to read the fine print as every hotel and even room type could be different. You may need to pay for the slightly higher price for flexibility, but that will be worth it in the long run as waiting to book would certainly be more expensive.
Southwest allows you to book a flight and then cancel for a travel credit. So, if you think you'd eventually be able to use those travel credits later in the year, you can book in advance on Southwest to multiple cities and then cancel on selection sunday. No penalty, other than it'll be refunded as a travel credit.
Delta, which would be a nonstop option for Salt Lake, has a refundable option. It is more expensive but would still be cheaper than waiting until Selection Sunday. I assume other airlines do this as well.
Most airlines allow free cancellations if you book with points, so that is obviously the best option, if you have the points.
The Jays are right on the borderline of being a top 4 seed. If they are top 4, they would get sent to the closest possible location. Sadly, Omaha isn't an option, so none of the options are great (like Des Moines and Denver last year). If I had to bet, I would say Salt Lake City. There are closer options (Indy and Memphis are the closest and Pittsburgh is even slightly closer than SLC). But there are so many good eastern and midwest teams that the competition for those spots will be quite tough.
If they are a 5 seed or higher, all bets are off and they could get sent anywhere.
As for tickets, I would price shop ticketmaster and stubhub. That said, if you are ready to go as the bracket is announced, you might be able to get seats direct from the source. Salt Lake has plenty of seats available right now without looking at the secondary market.
Personally, I'm second weekend or bust this year. Booking for just four possible options is easier than the variability of the first weekend. Now the Jays have to just make it so I can go!