With second half set to begin, Blue Jays are riding high atop AL East standings
The team has had significant contributions from unexpected sources while some big names have not performed up to expectations. Injuries have also been an issue but backups have often shone with the opportunity.
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Global News
4 hours ago
- Global News
Batting depth lifts Jays to 6-3 win over Giants
TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays may have star power, but they've had contributions from unsung heroes this season. That happened Saturday afternoon when Toronto's 7-8-9 hitters accounted for all six runs and went a collective 5-for-10 in the team's 6-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants at Rogers Centre. Second baseman Ernie Clement finished with an RBI. Third baseman Will Wagner hit a two-run double. And catcher Tyler Heineman had one of the best games of his career, hitting a two-run homer in the sixth inning to finish 2-for-3 with three RBI. Blue Jays manager John Schneider credits his club's hitting coaches for this lower-lineup success. 'It starts with Pop, and Lou and Hunter,' said Schneider of Toronto's hitting staff. 'And really diving into what these guys are good at and how they are going to get pitched and having a plan. And then it's the guys buying into that plan and sticking with it. It's not easy to do when you don't play every day and you're hitting 7-8-9. Story continues below advertisement 'The tendency is to chase results and the guys aren't doing that.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Blue Jays got contributions from more than their batting depth Saturday. Starter Eric Lauer picked up his fifth win of the season while allowing two runs and no walks in six innings of work. Lauer also struck out seven batters. Signed to a minor-league deal Dec. 13, 2024, after he was cut by the KBO's Kia Tigers, Lauer has been a strong addition to the Blue Jays' rotation in 2025. The left-hander has a 2.80 earned-run average and a 1.04 walks plus hits per inning pitched in eight starts for the Blue Jays this season. 'One, probably,' said Clement of where Lauer would rank among Toronto's unsung heroes. Story continues below advertisement 'What he's been able to do and come in and just give us a chance to win every game. It's invaluable. So, tip of the cap to him. He's probably been our unsung MVP so far.' Schneider says Lauer's demeanour hasn't changed as his quality starts increased. 'That's one of the things I love about him,' Scheider said of Lauer post-game. 'He's kind of a flat-liner…Not getting too high or too low, and kind of doing what everyone's doing, where you go out and do what we ask of you and you move on to the next time you go out there.' Accustomed to a long relief role as well as a starter this season, Lauer believes the latter is where has earned the right to be. 'I'm just trying to make sure that I stick in the rotation, honestly' Lauer said. 'That's what I want to do, and that's where I think I can help the team best.' With Bowden Francis still on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, the Blue Jays need Lauer in the rotation moving forward. Toronto will attempt to sweep the three-game homestand against the Giants on Sunday before hosting the New York Yankees in a three-game set starting Monday. Story continues below advertisement This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2025.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
‘Didn't miss a beat': Savvy veteran Bassitt leads Jays to win in return from break
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) works against the San Francisco Giants during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, July 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO — Chris Bassitt doesn't mind leaving his comfort zone. So for the third season in a row, the Toronto Blue Jays veteran pitcher volunteered to start in the first game back from the All-Star break. Bassitt (10-4) came through with 6 1/3 shutout innings to lift the Blue Jays to a series-opening 4-0 win against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The 36-year-old Bassitt's last start was on July 8, and he even came out of the bullpen against the Athletics last Sunday to pitch an inning and help an overburdened relief corps. 'Chris does weird well,' Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. 'I think coming out of the pen in Sacramento was not easy to do. 'We trusted him to do his thing over the break, and he didn't miss a beat.' Bassitt became the first pitcher in Blue Jays' history to yield 10 hits and earn a shutout. But he didn't issue a walk and struck out five in his 97-pitch outing. He reached the 10-win mark for the fifth straight season. 'I've done it (started the first game out of the break) the last two years, so I'm confident in doing it,' Bassitt said. 'I understand the routine we need to do at home to be sharp out of the break. 'I wasn't the sharpest, but overall it was OK.' While some of his teammates vacationed in exotic locales, Bassitt spent the break at home with his wife and children. 'It makes me happy just seeing them in their element rather than mine,' he said. 'I just enjoy time with them.' The Blue Jays hit the break with a two-game losing streak, but in occupancy of the top spot in the American League East. Toronto's 55 wins were a club record win total before the break, and for only the sixth time in team history, they have the division lead after the league's mid-season showcase. But after back-to-back losses to the Athletics heading into the pause in action, the Blue Jays didn't know how they would emerge. 'You never really know how it's gonna go,' Schneider said. 'But I thought the guys did a good job of coming in (Thursday) to shake the rust off a little bit. But it starts in the mound, and Chris was outstanding.' Third-baseman Will Wagner also enjoyed a sound first game after the break with his two-run double in a four-run second inning that took some pressure off Bassitt. The Blue Jays sent 10 batters to the plate in the second inning to make life rough for 42-year-old Giants starter Justin Verlander (0-8). 'It was kind of weird,' Wagner said. 'We want the break, but we're playing so well that you don't want to take the break at the same time. 'I think everyone was just excited to get back and keep going with what we were doing before the break.' At 33-16, the Blue Jays have the best home record in the American League. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2025. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
17 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Blue Jays star Joe Carter hosts annual charity golf tournament
On June 18, the Joe Carter Classic Golf Tournament returned for its 16th year. Hosted by Toronto Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter, the event featured pro athletes and celebrities coming together for a day of friendly competition and fundraising. The previous evening, attendees celebrated with a reception at Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays met the Arizona Diamondbacks. To date, the Joe Carter Classic has raised more than $5 million in support of numerous charities.
