The Toronto Blue Jays are currently in a precarious position at the midway point of the baseball season, as they hover near the playoff cutline after a lackluster first half. Expectations were high for a team in win-now mode, but they have yet to break out. However, there is optimism for the team’s potential to improve.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform better in the second half. Although they would prefer to be at the top of the division with a better record, Atkins believes they are in a solid position.
With a 43-37 record heading into their game against the San Francisco Giants, Toronto seems to be moving in the right direction.
Over their last 29 games, the Blue Jays boast a 17-12 record (.586), which is tied for the best record in the American League during that span. Atkins sees this positive trend as a sign that they can continue to win more games.
The team had a strong start in late March and April with an 18-10 record. However, they struggled in May with an 11-17 record. Despite facing tough competition in the East Division, their play improved in June.
According to Toronto manager John Schneider, consistency has been an issue for the team. He believes that when players meet their expectations, the Blue Jays will consistently perform better.
At this point last year, the Blue Jays had a slightly better record, but they managed to win 92 games and secure a wild-card berth. Currently, they sit just half a game out of a wild-card spot and 10 games behind first-place Tampa Bay.
There have been improvements in team defence and baserunning, thanks to the additions of Kevin Kiermaier and Daulton Varsho. Bo Bichette, the hits leader in the American League, has been a crucial part of the team’s offense, which has plenty of power but has struggled with converting opportunities with runners on base.
One of the team’s challenges has been the demotion of right-hander Alek Manoah, who was once considered a staff ace but struggled with a 1-7 record. As a result, the team has had to use a temporary four-man rotation with bullpen days as needed. Despite this, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt have performed well, and Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi have bounced back from their off-years in 2022.
The pitching staff is expected to receive reinforcements with the return of Hyun Jin Ryu and Chad Green later in the summer, following their Tommy John surgeries last year.
While it is still early, FanGraphs gives the Toronto Blue Jays a 4.2% chance of winning the East Division and a 54.6% chance of securing an AL wild-card berth. To secure a direct berth in the AL Division Series, they would need to finish in the top two in the American League, while the other four playoff teams will compete in the wild-card series for the remaining ALDS spots.
The Blue Jays have been unsuccessful in the wild-card round in 2020 and 2022, but their ultimate goal is to win the World Series, which they last achieved in 1993.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June
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