Latest news with #Jays'
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays suffer third straight lopsided loss in first game of doubleheader with Orioles
A three-peat was not what the Blue Jays imagined when they took the opening three games of a four-game series in Detroit. Article content In the series finale, the Jays got their doors blown off and the bad vibes carried into Baltimore. Article content Article content Simply put, the Jays are not playing well in virtually every aspect and this dramatic slip in performance was underscored in a thoroughly embarrassing 16-4 loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, when the visitors had to resort to having a positional player pitch in the bottom of the eighth. Article content 35.3 mph is the 2nd-slowest whiff-inducing pitch in the Statcast era. Ali Sánchez to Alex Jackson: — Avi Miller (@AviMiIIer) July 29, 2025 Article content The loss was the Jays' third in a row, the first time they've dropped three straight since they were handed a three-game sweep by the host Philadelphia Phillies from June 13-15. Article content The Phils crushed the Jays, who have been obliterated in their past three games with double-digit runs yielded in each loss. Article content Article content The following are three takeaways from the first game of a doubleheader in steamy Baltimore, where B.C. native Tyler O'Neill stroked a three-run homer as part of a six-run sixth inning as the Canadian went deep for the fourth game in a row. Article content In his first at-bat Tuesday against veteran Charlie Morton, Bo Bichette flew out to Cedric Mullins in centre to end the first inning. Article content And, with it, Bichette snapped his club record of registering hits in nine consecutive at-bats, which began with a 5-for-5 day in Detroit on Sunday. Article content In Baltimore, the pending free agent broke the record jointly held by Rance Mulliniks, Paul Molitor, Tony Fernandez and Adam Lind. Article content Article content Bichette led off the fourth inning by drawing a walk and would score on Addison Barger's 15th home run of the season. Article content Article content He was given a hit on a two-out pop up the O's lost in the sun in shallow right field. Article content What stood out was the nonchalance Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had just singled, each embraced when each should have been fully engaged knowing nothing is ever taken for granted. Article content It did illustrate how the Jays' game has slipped of late, a team that has excelled because all the little details have gotten their full attention. Article content In terms of scoring a game, no error was warranted when Easton Lucas threw his first pitch since his previous start on May 31, when he went 4.2 scoreless innings against the visiting Athletics. Article content The physical mistake Lucas committed involved location on the pitch, which leadoff hitter Jordan Westburg crushed off the wall in right-centre that nearly resulted in a home run. It did go for a double as the O's would quickly jump out in front.
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays suffer third straight lopsided loss in first game of doubleheader with Orioles
Article content A three-peat was not what the Blue Jays imagined when they took the opening three games of a four-game series in Detroit. Article content In the series finale, the Jays got their doors blown off and the bad vibes carried into Baltimore. Article content Simply put, the Jays are not playing well in virtually every aspect and this dramatic slip in performance was underscored in a thoroughly embarrassing 16-4 loss in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader, when the visitors had to resort to having a positional player pitch in the bottom of the eighth. Article content Article content 35.3 mph is the 2nd-slowest whiff-inducing pitch in the Statcast era. Ali Sánchez to Alex Jackson: — Avi Miller (@AviMiIIer) July 29, 2025 Article content The loss was the Jays' third in a row, the first time they've dropped three straight since they were handed a three-game sweep by the host Philadelphia Phillies from June 13-15. Article content The Phils crushed the Jays, who have been obliterated in their past three games with double-digit runs yielded in each loss. Article content Article content The following are three takeaways from the first game of a doubleheader in steamy Baltimore, where B.C. native Tyler O'Neill stroked a three-run homer as part of a six-run sixth inning as the Canadian went deep for the fourth game in a row. Article content In his first at-bat Tuesday against veteran Charlie Morton, Bo Bichette flew out to Cedric Mullins in centre to end the first inning. Article content And, with it, Bichette snapped his club record of registering hits in nine consecutive at-bats, which began with a 5-for-5 day in Detroit on Sunday. Article content In Baltimore, the pending free agent broke the record jointly held by Rance Mulliniks, Paul Molitor, Tony Fernandez and Adam Lind. Article content Article content Bichette led off the fourth inning by drawing a walk and would score on Addison Barger's 15th home run of the season. Article content Article content He was given a hit on a two-out pop up the O's lost in the sun in shallow right field. Article content What stood out was the nonchalance Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who had just singled, each embraced when each should have been fully engaged knowing nothing is ever taken for granted. Article content It did illustrate how the Jays' game has slipped of late, a team that has excelled because all the little details have gotten their full attention. Article content In terms of scoring a game, no error was warranted when Easton Lucas threw his first pitch since his previous start on May 31, when he went 4.2 scoreless innings against the visiting Athletics. Article content The physical mistake Lucas committed involved location on the pitch, which leadoff hitter Jordan Westburg crushed off the wall in right-centre that nearly resulted in a home run. It did go for a double as the O's would quickly jump out in front.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Five key Blue Jays trade deadline questions: Who are the pitching targets?
As the Toronto Blue Jays slogged through a doubleheader against the Orioles, the upcoming trade deadline hung over Camden Yards. Toronto entered Tuesday at 63-44, 5 1/2 games up on the Yankees in the American League East. Thursday's deadline represents one final opportunity for GM Ross Atkins to bolster a first-place roster for the Jays' hopeful playoff push. Advertisement To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Blue Jays beat writer Mitch Bannon hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Tuesday afternoon. Here are five key questions that were asked and answered during the chat. For more deadline coverage, read the full Q&A transcript, visit our Blue Jays section for new stories, or check out our live blog for the latest all week long. 1. In a sellers' market, which starters and relievers can the Blue Jays target? (Veronica C.) On the market in general: I've heard it took a while to really start moving after the draft, but things are gaining traction the last few days (obviously leading to the few moves we've already seen). But you're right, there aren't too many clear sellers still. I don't think that lack of sellers will seriously impact the relief market prices though. There seem to be quite a few high leverage guys and middle relievers available. Even if closers like David Bednar and Jhoan Duran don't move, Danny Coulombe and Phil Maton should be available (amongst many others). Rental sixth/seventh inning guys don't cost too much this time of year. The starting pitching market is a little more complicated for Toronto. There aren't many obvious rotation upgrades, so the Jays will likely turn to creative depth. Swingmen like Mike Soroka and Steven Matz fit that mold. Or they could target an optionable depth guy. 2. his trade deadline feels remarkably straightforward. Besides the list of players the industry has already assumed might be available, are there others Atkins might pursue? (Shaun J.) You're right, it does feel pretty cut and dry. The one aspect I've been trying to dig on is what optionable starters could be available. Nobody really saw Mitch White getting traded a few deadlines ago, but that's the type of guy that could insulate Toronto's rotation without immediately pushing someone out. The Athletics' Mitch Spence is one option I found. Advertisement 3. Is there a scenario where the Blue Jays are simply not active at the deadline, or are they definitely going to make trades? Is there a risk of disturbing the balance and rhythm of the clubhouse? (Terence H.) I just don't see inactivity from Toronto — and everything I'm hearing indicates they're checking on a lot of players (though that's the Jays' usual mode of function this time of year). Sure, the Jays are playing good baseball right now. But it's about playing good baseball for the next two months and into October. Filling bullpen holes and adding a bat or depth starter will help that cause. I don't think a few relievers and a bench bat will drastically impact the mojo of this squad in a meaningful way. If anything, additions can add excitement to a clubhouse. 4. Is there anyone on the prospect list who is off the table for trade talks with other clubs? (Daniel C.) I don't think the Jays take prospects 'off the table' in that sense — so I guess my answer is no. But, barring a massive blockbuster, I don't see Toronto's top 1-2 prospects (Nimmala, Yesavage) moving at this deadline. There wasn't a single Top 100 prospect moved at last year's deadline. So, if the Jays shop in the rental market or acquire cheaper controllable players, they can get that business done without purging the top of the farm. 5. Thoughts on what they decide to do with Bo Bichette? Extend, trade, or wait it out? (All Beard N.) The Jays don't love negotiating with players midseason. With the run this team is on, I think that would only further dissuade them from starting talks with Bichette right now. It's in Bichette's interest to play out this season (especially as he seems to be heating up right now) and see how high he can push his value. I think the Jays are content to let him do that before getting serious about a deal in the winter. (Photo of the Pirates' David Bednar, who would make sense for the Blue Jays:)
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Throwback Thursday: The Blue Jays and Tigers open a series with first place in the American League on the line
Turn the clock back almost 40 years: The Blue Jays are heading to Detroit with the best record in the American League on the line. The Jays and Tigers were fierce rivals in the 1980s and early 90s before Detroit moved to the AL Central in 1994 and, though they now play in different divisions, both teams are among the league's elite again. The Jays' 8-4 win over the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre Wednesday night moved them to 60-42, tied with the Houston Astros for the best record in the American League, half a game ahead of Detroit. The schedule-makers may have been kind to the Jays, with the Tigers in their biggest tailspin of the season right now. Former Blue Jay Spencer Horwitz belted a grand slam to help Pittsburgh to a 6-1 home win over Detroit on Wednesday, securing a series sweep for the last-place Pirates and handing the Tigers their ninth loss in 10 games. 'That's a real thing,' Jays manager John Schneider said of the Tigers' slump before Wednesday's series finale with the Yankees. 'But it can change in a day. I know that they have been what they have been, but it could change when they get home. You never really know.' PITTSBURGH (AP) — Spencer Horwitz hit his first career grand slam and Bailey Falter matched a The first four games of this Detroit slide came at home, then they hit the road after the all-star break for what wound up being a 1-5 trip through Texas and Pittsburgh, getting beat by two teams that had losing records when the Tigers arrived. But before the last fortnight, they were something else, which is one of the reasons they still have a nine-game lead in the American League Central. The other reason, of course, is the Central has only one other team that's over .500 - the 51-50 Cleveland Guardians. But you can't build a 59-34 record on smoke and mirrors. The Tigers did it by being strong pretty much everywhere. Before their slide began, Detroit's pitching staff was third in the major leagues with a 3.46 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, led by left-hander Tarik Skubal, who is currently on paternity leave but likely to pitch Saturday night against the Jays' Kevin Gausman. Skubal, who started last week's all-star game , won the Cy Young Award last year and has picked up right where he left off . The 28-year-old is 10-3 on the season and currently leads the majors with a 0.82 WHIP and the AL with a 2.19 ERA. The hitters, entering Wednesday, ranked sixth in the majors in OPS, home runs and runs scored, with 24-year-old outfielder Riley Greene leading the way. The left-handed swinger tops the team with 25 homers, 79 RBIs and an .855 OPS. He also leads the majors with 135 strikeouts. Greene was one of a half-dozen Tigers selected to the AL all-star team. The record was broken on a Loonie Dog night, where attendees can buy a hot dog for a dollar 'I think you've got to look at them as one of the better teams in baseball,' Gausman said in a conversation that can be heard on the July 24 episode of 'Deep Left Field,' the Star's baseball podcast. ' I don't think you pay too much attention to how they're playing lately because they've been so good all season.' The Jays lost two of three games when the Tigers came to Toronto in mid-May, outscored 9-8. Each game was decided by one run, with the Jays' win coming on a walk-off single by Ernie Clement in the bottom of the ninth inning of the middle game. With one-game tiebreakers no longer in use, the Jays need to win three of four in Detroit in order to clinch the season series with the Tigers — as they did with the Yankees on Wednesday — which could very well factor into home-field advantage in the playoffs, if not a first-round bye. The Tigers finished second to the division-winning Jays in 1991 and third in both 1985 and 1992, while the Jays finished second to Detroit in 1984 and the heartbreaking 1987. Finally, these 401 rivals are back at it again.
Vancouver Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Blue Jays dominance could result in best regular season in team's history
After several years of witnessing MLB mediocrity, casual and diehard Toronto Blue Jays fans are being rewarded with a reason to watch and cheer for Canada's only baseball team. Depending on how this week's games play out — theirs and others — the Jays, already leading the American League East division with a 59-42 record, could find themselves in possession of the top record in baseball. And while a franchise-best 11-game home game winning streak ended with a 5-4 ninth-inning loss to the second-place New York Yankees Tuesday night, there's a lot of baseball left to play. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But even if they don't finish as MLB's top overall team — a feat never accomplished by any Jays team — if they keep playing this brand of baseball, they could produce one of the best regular seasons in the organization's 49-year history and a possible rival to those that led to back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Finishing as one of the top two teams in the American League (AL), meanwhile, would still be a major boon as it would grant the team a bye past the wildcard round that has vexed the organization. The team has gone winless in its last three straight best-of-three play-in series appearances (2020, 2022 and 2023). Statistically speaking, the Jays' best season ever came in 1985 when an all-star lineup featuring the likes of George Bell, Jesse Barfield and Dave Stieb finished atop the division with a 99-62 record, good for a .615 winning percentage. (Only the St. Louis Cardinals were better at 101-61, or .623) At the end of the 1985 season, a rained-out game wasn't made up because it would have no implications on the standings or playoff picture. That means if the 2025 squad can go 41-20 in their remaining 61, they'll finish 100-62 with a .617 winning percentage. Only the players, coaches and management can make it happen, but their body of work over the last two and a half months following a sluggish start to the season certainly makes it seem like it's possible. It's worth noting here that the Jays' 55 wins before the All-Star Game this year eclipsed the record set by the 1985 crew and matched that of the first World Series lineup. They also hit 50 wins in their 88th game, something else that hasn't happened since 1992. How they got here Heading into May, the team was playing sub .500 ball and languished in the standings, falling eight games behind the Yankees at one point. By month's end, however, the bats had come alive and the Jays climbed to just above .500. In June, they played just as well, if not better, and, as July approached, the Jays found themselves within striking distance of top spot in the AL East. They clinched it and haven't looked back since sweeping the Yankees in a four-game set at Rogers Centre to start the month. The team is 43-21 since May 8, and 29-14 since the start of June, a record second only to the Milwaukee Brewers, who are currently tied with the Chicago Cubs for first in the National League Central division and best record in baseball. Those Rogers Centre crowds... Different 💙🇨🇦 #lightsupletsgo It's certainly helped that the Yankees have struggled since June 1, posting a 21-23 record. Toronto, a dominant 13-4 thus far in July, has eight games remaining in the month after they wrap things up with New York on Wednesday night — a crucial four-game series against the central division-leading Detroit Tigers and a trip to Maryland for four with the AL East bottom-dwelling Baltimore Orioles. If the Jays can hang on to the AL East lead for the rest of the year, it'll be the first time they've won the division since 2015. Who got them here Outside of the obvious All-Star and veteran talent, on paper, this wasn't a lineup that was expected to be this good. But from one end of the clubhouse to another, pitching to batting, just about everyone has meaningfully contributed to the surprising success so far. Veteran George Springer, who despite being among the squad's elder statesmen at 35, has always had the enthusiastic zeal of a much younger player, is now putting up numbers to match. Undoubtedly the team's MVP so far, the rightfielder leads the team in home runs (17) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.874) and was the hottest hitter through June and July. After a couple of middling seasons, shortstop Bo Bichette and catcher Alejandro Kirk have found consistency at the plate. The former leads the AL in doubles while the Mexican-born backstop has a team-best .304 batting average and a paltry 33 strikeouts in 303 at-bats. Addison Barger, called up from Triple-A Buffalo in mid-April, has settled into the majors nicely and become the most serendipitous bright spot for the Jays. The 25-year-old utility player — who looks very comfortable on third base — is second in dingers (14) and leads the club in slugging (.517) among active players. As for the face of the franchise, Vladimir Guerrero, who inked a 14-year $500-million contract extension just as the season began, the All-Star first baseman is putting up solid numbers — he's second in hits (104) and leads the team in runs (62) — but his home run and RBI production is short of where it's been over his career. Should he find more consistency at the dish, there's no telling how it could impact the club's fortunes. Meantime, players like Ernie Clement, Nathan Lukes, Will Wagner, Myles Straw, Tyler Heineman and, at times, Davis Schneider, have provided timely hitting and defence in the absence of Gold Glove centrefielder Daulton Varsho and $92-million newcomer Antony Santander, both out with injuries. Collectively, the team leads the majors with a .260 team batting average and the fewest strikeouts (671). On the rubber, the team ERA (4.10) could use improvement, but the core trio of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassit have been consistently improving as the season goes on, aided by a bullpen that's seen a lot of action. Manager John Schneider doesn't tend to let his starters go deep into games. As for Max Scherzer, who signed a one-year deal for $15.5 million, the three-time Cy Young winner is just getting going, having returned from an injury suffered in his Blue Jays debut in March. The 41-year-old hurler was tough on himself after surrendering four runs to the Yankees on Monday. 'I put them in a tough spot by giving up four runs, but the rest of the team did their job,' said Scherzer, per the Associated Press. 'Guys are out there fighting. 'We're a great team. They're a great team. These are fun series to be in. You just want to be out there helping your team win more.' The series continues Wednesday night, 7:07, before what's expected to be another 40,000-plus fans in Toronto. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
