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Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baltimore Orioles bury the Blue Jays in a barrage of hits and homers
The Blue Jays entered baseball's all-star break on a two-game losing streak. And now for the first time since the break, the Jays have lost two in a row. All is not lost for a team that has won far more often than it has suffered setbacks, but on nights when pitching falters the Jays founder. The latest example was provided Monday night when the host Baltimore Orioles broke open a 3-3 game by using the longball to shred Toronto's pitching en route to an 11-4 win. The O's are in sell mode as they play out the string to a very disappointing season, while the Jays must add if they want to be considered serious contenders when games really matter. They haven't played clean baseball in two straight games, two games in which the Jays have been blown out, beginning with Sunday's 10-4 loss in Detroit when Toronto scored four meaningless runs in the ninth inning. The following are three takeaways on a night when everyone in attendance held its breath after George Springer was hit on the left side of his face with a one-out fastball in the ninth inning that unnerved pitcher Kade Strowd, a night when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 13th home run of the season. 1. Bassitt doesn't have it This was one of those outings where veteran Chris Bassitt was out of sync. Bad starts are one thing, but a bad start becomes problematic knowing four games will be played in such a tight time frame. In other words, it puts undue stress on the bullpen. The best Bassitt, who has been good, could provide the Jays were seven outs. Ouch! When Bassitt was given the hook with one on and one out in the home half of the third inning, the Jays were trailing 6-3. His 2.1-inning outing was Bassitt's second-shortest of the season. On June 26 at Fenway Park, the veteran right-hander walked four, gave up eight hits and eight earned runs in 2.0 innings in what turned out to be a thorough beatdown in Beantown. Bassitt's 69-pitch outing in Baltimore was marred by two homers surrendered, while seven hits and six earned runs would be yielded. In the four starts since his Fenway folly, Bassitt pitched into the sixth inning. He even gave the Jays one inning of relief to take the strain off the pen in Sacramento just prior to the all-star break. 2. Bo makes history Bo Bichette went 5-for-5 in Sunday's loss in Detroit, the fifth plate appearance courtesy of some pitiful pitching by a Tigers bullpen in the ninth inning. The way Bichette is seeing the ball, no pitcher is capable of retiring him. His elite hand-eye co-ordination was on full display in his first two at-bats Monday night, each resulting in singles as Bichette went 7-for-7 in his past seven at-bats. A fifth-inning bloop single that went off the end of the bat gave Bichette eight for eight to tie a franchise record. In the seventh inning, his first pitch in the at-bat was ruled a hit, giving Bichette his ninth consecutive base knock to set a club record. His streak ended in the ninth inning when he hit into a double play to end the game. His 5-for-5 day in Detroit came in a loss as did Bichette's 4-for-5 game in Baltimore. 3. Making moves As of press time, no deal was engineered by the Blue Jays, who are in the market to add, ideally, at least two arms to the bullpen, a potential starter and a right-handed bat. A double dip awaits Tuesday followed by an afternoon game Wednesday in as hectic a stretch the Jays will experience. It will all lead up to Thursday's 6 p.m. trade deadline. Daulton Varsho has a few more games scheduled in triple-A as he makes his way back from a hamstring injury. If a deal makes the Jays better and Varsho must be sacrificed, so be it. Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw have almost made Varsho an afterthought. Lukes hit leadoff in the series opener and went yard in the third inning for his eighth homer of the season and his third in the past five games. He was denied a multi-homer game when Cedric Mullins soared over the wall in straight-away centre to rob Lukes and prevent the Jays from tying the game in the fourth inning. Opportunities such as the one the Jays have been presented and created this season don't come around often and no one, save for Vlad Jr., should be exempt from any trade discussion, including Varsho. Pitchers Lazaro Estrada, Easton Lucas and Paxton Schultz were in Baltimore as the club prepares for the doubleheader. None was active for the series opener. As of Monday, Eric Lauer was scheduled to start in the night cap. Up next The frenetic slate at stifling hot Oriole Park at Camden Yards continues with Tuesday's 12:35 p.m. first pitch followed by first pitch at 6:35 p.m. to complete the day's double dip; a DH day for Vlad Jr. is a certainty for one of the two games; teams are allowed to add a player to the 26-man roster for doubleheaders. Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk placed on seven-day concussion IL Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg dies after cancer battle
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
MLB-leading Toronto Blue Jays will be buyers at Thursday's trade deadline
Toronto Blue Jays' Addison Barger (47) celebrates a solo home run with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (right) against the New York Yankees during fifth inning MLB baseball action, in Toronto on Thursday, July 3, 2025. The Toronto Blue Jays are the best team in baseball with a 63-43 record heading into Monday night's game in Baltimore against the Orioles. According to that gives Toronto a 97.3 per cent chance of making the post-season and an 8.6 per cent shot at winning the World Series. Major League Baseball's trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. ET and, with the Blue Jays in a great position to win the American League East, they are expected to be buyers as they try to gear up for a deep post-season run. Here are five things to consider heading into the deadline: PAST PRECEDENT Some of the best teams in Blue Jays' history took shape at (or in one case, slightly after) the trade deadline. Mookie Wilson (1989), David Cone (1992), Rickey Henderson (1993), Edwin Encarnacion (2009) and David Price (2015) all had various degrees of success in Toronto after joining the team via trade midseason. Notably, Cone — who was dealt by the New York Mets to Toronto in August after the non-waiver trading deadline — was instrumental in the Blue Jays 1992 post-season run, pitching four games in the playoffs. He earned no decisions in Games 2 and 6 of Toronto's first World Series championship. Henderson struggled after breaking his hand early on in his tenure in Toronto but was on base when Joe Carter hit his walk-off home run to win the 1993 World Series. ARMS RACE Although the rotation's core of Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman have been reliable for most of the year, the Blue Jays' starting pitchers have a collective 4.39 earned-run average, 24th in all of MLB. Eric Lauer — who signed a minor-league deal in December after a season in Korea — has been a pleasant surprise but surefire Hall of Famer Max Scherzer has struggled as inflammation in his right thumb has been a persistent problem. Alek Manoah is building up to return to Toronto's major league roster in August, but if he or Scherzer have a setback, the Blue Jays would value an extra pitcher capable of starting. Possible targets: Sandy Alcantara has told the Miami Marlins that he'd like to be traded and media reports say Toronto is a possible destination. He has muddled to a 5-9 record with a 6.66 ERA so far this season. Media reports also say that the Athletics, temporarily playing in Sacramento, Calif., will be looking to trade some of their veteran starters like lefties JP Sears (4.98 ERA), Jeffrey Springs (4.13 ERA) and righties Osvaldo Bido (5.86 ERA) and Luis Severino (4.95 ERA). SWEET RELIEF Toronto's bullpen has been a strength all season, with a collective 3.66 ERA, seventh best in MLB. The Blue Jays' relievers have a 29-14 win-loss record through Sunday's 10-4 loss to the Tigers in Detroit. Still, bullpen depth is a must-have for any long post-season run and there are still some gaps, like Chad Green. The veteran right-hander has been used sparingly this season as he has struggled to a 4.85 ERA. Potential targets: Pete Fairbanks, the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays the past three seasons, has a 2.84 ERA and 17 saves over 38 innings and has a reasonable US$3.67 million contract this season with a club option for 2026. Felix Bautista has 19 saves and a 2.60 ERA for the Baltimore Orioles this year but as he's on a two-year deal worth $2 million, he'd get the Blue Jays a lot of bang for their buck. SANTAN-DON'T Switch-hitting slugger Anthony Santander, along with Scherzer, was one of the Blue Jays' biggest off-season acquisitions when he signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract on Jan. 20. He's been a disappointment, however, with a .179 batting average, six home runs and 18 RBIs over 50 games before Toronto put him on the injured list on May 30 with left shoulder inflammation. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL on July 4. When he will return and what he can contribute are two unknowns, so another reliable bat could be an asset. Possible targets: St. Louis Cardinals slugger Nolan Arenado could be available but he comes with a hefty price tag: He has two years and $42 million remaining on his contract beyond this season, earning $27 million in 2026 and $15 million in 2027. Arizona Diamondbacks power hitter Eugenio Suarez would also add some pop to Toronto's lineup — he already has 36 home runs this year — and will become a free agent this winter. MINOR THREAT Any trade the Blue Jays make will likely involve one of their prospects. Toronto general manager Ross Atkins has spent the past couple of years restocking the organization's minor-league system, but it will still be a fine line to walk trying to win now but also save for the future. Shortstop Arjun Nimmala is considered the top prospect in the Blue Jays' organization, currently playing for the single-A Vancouver Canadians. It's unlikely that the 19-year-old would be traded as he will be Bo Bichette's replacement if the former all-star gets traded or decides to sign elsewhere when his contract expires this off-season. According to MLB, Toronto's next highest-ranked prospects are all pitchers: right-hander Trey Yesavage (AA), lefty Ricky Tiedemann (AAA), southpaw Johnny King (A) and righty Khal Stephen (AA). This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
A year after they were (to a degree) deadline sellers, the Blue Jays are soaring
Toronto Blue Jays' George Springer reacts after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez) Even when they traded away a handful of established players at last year's deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays clearly believed a rebound was possible. A year later, they have a comfortable lead atop the AL East. It's hard to say that last year's deadline jump-started Toronto's turnaround, but the important thing is the Blue Jays didn't give up on their core despite being on their way to a last-place finish in 2024. They dealt players like Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Turner — but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette remained with Toronto. Keeping those two was something of a risk given that both could become free agents after this season. Bichette still can, but the Blue Jays were able to sign Guerrero to a $500-million, 14-year contract in April. Guerrero, Bichette and George Springer are part of a Toronto team that ranks third in the American League in OPS while leading the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. Even after a lopsided loss to Detroit on Sunday, the Blue Jays have a 5 1/2-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees — although Toronto also has the second-worst run differential in the division. The Blue Jays have the best record in baseball by a half-game over the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Toronto has won 21 of its last 27 games, and included in that stretch is a 6-1 record against the Yankees. The Blue Jays are 7-3 against New York, meaning they have clinched that season series should it become a tiebreaker. New York is just 11-18 against the AL East. Trivia time The Blue Jays last made the World Series in 1993. Who are the only other American League teams with longer droughts since their most recent pennants? Tumbling Tigers Detroit's 10-4 win over Toronto on Sunday snapped a six-game skid for the Tigers — and that does not do justice to how poorly they were playing. Detroit had lost 12 of 13, being outscored 89-33 in the process. Ace Tarik Skubal can only do so much. The lone win during that stretch came in one of his starts — a 2-1 victory over Texas on July 20. When he took the mound six days later against Toronto, he threw six scoreless innings, only to have the Tigers go on to lose 6-1. Before Detroit fans panic too much, the Tigers had built up such a big lead that they still have an eight-game advantage over second-place Cleveland in the AL Central after Sunday's victory. FanGraphs gives them a 95.9% chance to make the playoffs. But their chances of earning a first-round bye — by having one of the top two records among AL division winners — is down to 52.6%. Line of the week More like line of the decade. Or perhaps the century. A's rookie Nick Kurtz went 6 for 6 with four home runs, eight RBIs and six runs in a 15-3 rout of Houston on Friday night. Kurtz became the 20th player in major league history — and first rookie — with a four-homer game. He also doubled and singled, so he tied the single-game record for total bases with 19. Comeback of the week Minnesota had a one-run lead at Los Angeles in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday — and Griffin Jax retired the first two batters for the Dodgers. Then it all unravelled for the Twins. Mookie Betts singled, Shohei Ohtani was walked intentionally, Esteury Ruiz drew another walk and then Freddie Freeman singled home two runs for a 4-3 win. The Twins had a win probability of 95.6% after the second out, according to Baseball Savant. Trivia answer The Orioles (1983), Athletics (1990), Twins (1991) and Mariners (never). ___ Noah Trister, The Associated Press
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
A year after they were (to a degree) deadline sellers, the Blue Jays are soaring
Even when they traded away a handful of established players at last year's deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays clearly believed a rebound was possible. A year later, they have a comfortable lead atop the AL East. It's hard to say that last year's deadline jump-started Toronto's turnaround, but the important thing is the Blue Jays didn't give up on their core despite being on their way to a last-place finish in 2024. They dealt players like Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Turner — but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette remained with Toronto. Keeping those two was something of a risk given that both could become free agents after this season. Bichette still can, but the Blue Jays were able to sign Guerrero to a $500-million, 14-year contract in April. Guerrero, Bichette and George Springer are part of a Toronto team that ranks third in the American League in OPS while leading the majors in batting average and on-base percentage. Even after a lopsided loss to Detroit on Sunday, the Blue Jays have a 5 1/2-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees — although Toronto also has the second-worst run differential in the division. The Blue Jays have the best record in baseball by a half-game over the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Toronto has won 21 of its last 27 games, and included in that stretch is a 6-1 record against the Yankees. The Blue Jays are 7-3 against New York, meaning they have clinched that season series should it become a tiebreaker. New York is just 11-18 against the AL East. Trivia time The Blue Jays last made the World Series in 1993. Who are the only other American League teams with longer droughts since their most recent pennants? Tumbling Tigers Detroit's 10-4 win over Toronto on Sunday snapped a six-game skid for the Tigers — and that does not do justice to how poorly they were playing. Detroit had lost 12 of 13, being outscored 89-33 in the process. Ace Tarik Skubal can only do so much. The lone win during that stretch came in one of his starts — a 2-1 victory over Texas on July 20. When he took the mound six days later against Toronto, he threw six scoreless innings, only to have the Tigers go on to lose 6-1. Before Detroit fans panic too much, the Tigers had built up such a big lead that they still have an eight-game advantage over second-place Cleveland in the AL Central after Sunday's victory. FanGraphs gives them a 95.9% chance to make the playoffs. But their chances of earning a first-round bye — by having one of the top two records among AL division winners — is down to 52.6%. Line of the week More like line of the decade. Or perhaps the century. A's rookie Nick Kurtz went 6 for 6 with four home runs, eight RBIs and six runs in a 15-3 rout of Houston on Friday night. Kurtz became the 20th player in major league history — and first rookie — with a four-homer game. He also doubled and singled, so he tied the single-game record for total bases with 19. Comeback of the week Minnesota had a one-run lead at Los Angeles in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday — and Griffin Jax retired the first two batters for the Dodgers. Then it all unraveled for the Twins. Mookie Betts singled, Shohei Ohtani was walked intentionally, Esteury Ruiz drew another walk and then Freddie Freeman singled home two runs for a 4-3 win. The Twins had a win probability of 95.6% after the second out, according to Baseball Savant. Trivia answer The Orioles (1983), Athletics (1990), Twins (1991) and Mariners (never). ___ AP MLB:
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
A year after they were (to a degree) deadline sellers, the Blue Jays are soaring
Even when they traded away a handful of established players at last year's deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays clearly believed a rebound was possible. A year later, they have a comfortable lead atop the AL East. It's hard to say that last year's deadline jump-started Toronto's turnaround, but the important thing is the Blue Jays didn't give up on their core despite being on their way to a last-place finish in 2024. They dealt players like Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Turner — but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette remained with Toronto.
