Are the Blue Jays the Real Deal? Looking At the Reasons Behind Toronto’s Surge

Major League Baseball: Are the Blue Jays the Real Deal? Analyzing Toronto’s Surge

Updated Jul. 9, 2025 2:22 p.m. ET

When Joey Loperfido hit a 93-mph fastball in the fifth inning on Monday, it felt like it was destined to happen. It didn’t matter that this was just his second game of the season after being called up on Sunday to bolster the major league roster. With the Blue Jays on a winning streak, anyone donning the royal blue uniform is benefiting from their successful formula. (Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Loperfido’s soaring fly ball to right field marked his first home run of the year, breaking a tie with the White Sox and kicking off a series of runs from the Toronto lineup, which has been on fire. The Jays added six more runs against Chicago, providing more than enough support for right-hander Jose Berrios, who achieved his 12th quality start of the season.

This victory encapsulated the Blue Jays’ formula: overwhelm opponents, capitalize with runners on base, and let the pitching staff handle the rest. Their offensive philosophy, spearheaded by new hitting coach David Popkins, may seem straightforward, but it thrives when hitters feel free to express themselves. The coaching staff effectively communicates players’ roles in the lineup, emphasizing that even the No. 9 hitter is just as vital as the leadoff man.

Trusting this approach has resulted in a brand of Blue Jays baseball not seen since 2015. Their 8-4 win over the White Sox on Monday signified their ninth consecutive victory—their longest winning streak in a decade—before stretching to 10 on Tuesday jili99. They are the only Major League Baseball team with seven or more wins and fewer than two losses during this span, scoring eight or more runs four times throughout their 10-game winning streak. Averaging 6.67 runs per game and hitting 17 home runs, they rank second in both categories in the majors since June 29. Their .372 batting average with runners in scoring position is the second-best in baseball during this streak.

The team is making the most of their chances and putting pressure on opposing starting pitchers, especially when facing them for the second and third times through the lineup. In fact, after the first round through the order, the Jays have tallied 26 runs (tied for first), secured 46 hits (most), and notched 18 extra-base hits (tied for first) throughout their winning streak. The carefully constructed depth of the lineup makes it tiring for rival pitching staffs to navigate, and while other teams wonder if the Jays’ success is sustainable, the club’s confidence is only increasing.

All they have to do to remind themselves of their hard work paying off is glance at the standings. They claimed first place after sweeping the New York Yankees in a four-game series to kick off the month, and despite their AL East rivals hoping for that dominance to falter, the Blue Jays have continued to roll. Entering Wednesday, they’ve extended their lead to 3.5 games, clearly demonstrating that it won’t be as easy for New York to reclaim the division lead.

Although the first-place Blue Jays are currently the hottest team in baseball, few expected them to perform this well. Back in February, as Blue Jays players prepared for spring training, there was a mix of optimism and caution. The front office sparked a bit of hope by acquiring power hitter Anthony Santander and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer while also adding much-needed depth to the bullpen, which was a weakness last season. However, could they truly rely on the Jays to turn things around? While they have a strong core including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer, the offense had struggled for consistency too often to count on a major turnaround. Coming off a 74-win season and a last-place finish, FanGraphs projected the Blue Jays with only a 43% chance of making the playoffs at the season’s start.

Now? The Jays have an impressive 91.4% chance to reach the playoffs and a 48.4% chance to win the division, according to FanGraphs. While key players like Guerrero and Springer have been instrumental, the newfound secondary offense deserves significant credit for baffling opposing pitchers and forcing them out of games sooner than expected.

Addison Barger, a third baseman and right fielder, is among the seven major-league players who have hit four or more home runs since June 29. He is also one of only two players to have hit four homers and stolen at least one base, along with Springer. Barger’s hard-hit rate of 70.8% is tied for third-best in the majors during the team’s winning streak. However, his success at the plate has roots that extend beyond Toronto’s current nine-game win streak; after about a month adjusting, the 25-year-old has been a top 10 WAR leader in the MLB since May 8. Known by fans as Bam-Bam at the Rogers Centre, Barger is quickly becoming a fan favorite since his 2024 major league debut.

Beyond Barger’s dramatic turnaround, the Blue Jays’ offense is getting contributions from players like catcher Alejandro Kirk and infielder Ernie Clement. Kirk, who signed a $58-million, five-year contract extension this spring, is making his second All-Star Game appearance in his career. He was a strong candidate to rebound this season after two subpar years. In 76 games, Kirk is batting .300/. betso 888 com login358/.410 with 41 RBIs and a career-best 9.9% strikeout rate. The 26-year-old, who has expressed newfound clarity about his identity as a hitter this season, is benefiting greatly from Popkins’ offensive philosophy. Clement, too, is enjoying a career year—not only offensively.

The Blue Jays are the best defensive team in baseball, a distinction that is not up for debate. Toronto has amassed 32.9 defensive WAR, while the Milwaukee Brewers are a distant second at 20.8 dWAR. Much of this improved defense is credited to Kirk, widely known for his outstanding framing behind the plate. However, players like Clement, Andres Gimenez, Miles Straw, Alan Roden, and Daulton Varsho (before his injury) have made significant contributions with their sharp glove work, limiting damage behind their pitchers. Displaying strong defensive skills is not a new trend for the Jays; they finished the 2024 season with the best defense in MLB. hahaha 777 casino But when meticulous attention to detail merges with lineup consistency and solid pitching performances, the team becomes dangerous from top to bottom.

The Blue Jays exemplify how to defy early-season expectations and harness a successful organizational strategy that plays to each individual’s strengths. Even during Guerrero’s brief slump and with Santander and Varsho injured since late May, and right-hander Alek Manoah yet to pitch this season, the Jays continue to rise by calling on the next player up.

If they’re performing this well now, how much better can they be at full strength? What improvements might we see from them after the trade deadline? Those are some daunting questions for opposing teams that have taken notice: The Blue Jays mean business this time. phcash11 com login download free Should they manage to fend off the Yankees and maintain their division lead, they’ll be on the verge of their first playoff appearance beyond the wild-card round since 2016. best exchange rates That special feeling of excitement is back, so it’s time to believe in them. What are your thoughts on the Jays’ resurgence?