Despite wobbles in Sacramento, Blue Jays in first at All-Star break for sixth time in franchise history

Edmonton Journal

13-07-2025

First things first, as the Blue Jays impressively reached the All-Star break in what as recently as two months ago seemed like an unlikely spot: Leading the American League East.
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Yes, they've wobbled some on their way to the four-day break, falling 6-3 to the Athletics on Sunday in Sacramento for their second loss in a row and third in the past four.
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And yes, with a record of 55-41, the Jays have indeed won more games at the break than any other point in club history. Before getting carried away with that rosy narrative making noise, though, note that the 2025 Jays needed nine more games to get to that total than the 1992 team, which was 53-24 back when the Midsummer Classic came closer to the middle of a season.
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But all things considered, it's been quite a run for a Jays team that will scatter from the temporary home of the Athletics with a two-game lead over the defending division champion Yankees. With a 3-3 record on the now completed road trip, however, the Jays allowed the suddenly surging Boston Red Sox – now winners of 10 in a row – to get within three games of the lead.
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Schneider was ejected in the fifth inning after a spectacular showdown with the entire umpiring crew in protest of a Davis Schneider bomb to left field that was ruled as foul in the shoddy, minor league venue that is Sutter Health Park.
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That bit of ill temper aside, Schneider the manager has plenty to like about a squad that has galvanized in the clubhouse and performing leaps and bounds better than last year's version.
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It's just the sixth time in franchise history that they've been in first come All-Star time and the first since way back in 1993. The team has played well over the past two months to reach that lofty position atop the AL East, a division it hasn't won since 2015.
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The break probably comes at a good time, however, for a team that could use the rest, especially on the pitching side. They certainly showed it in California, after the red-hot streak from earlier in the month chilled somewhat.
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Sunday's starter, Jose Berrios, looked weary and Kevin Gausman, who took the loss on Saturday, acknowledged that the respite would be important for him to reset and ideally be as effective as he was in the closing months of the 2024 season.
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The rest of the rotation could say the same, given the earlier injury issues for Max Scherzer and the struggles of Bowden Francis left them short-handed.