The Toronto Blue Jays are staring down a brutal 12-18 record over their last 30 games, a collapse that has them looking less like contenders and more like a team counting down to the trade deadline. Just when they needed to turn it on, the Red Sox have flipped the script, posting a scorching 23-7 record over the same stretch. Remember when the Jays swept Boston in Fenway back in June? Or took two of three games north of the border? Yeah, those tables have officially turned, and it’s not looking pretty for Toronto.
The Ace Who Forgot How to Hit, and the Pitching Puzzle
Blue Jays fans have to be frustrated. Vlad Jr., once perhaps the AL’s best first baseman, is stuck on a meager 6 home runs by the end of July. Get this: Caleb Durbin actually has more homers than Vlad Jr.! Meanwhile, All-Star top vote getter Ernie Clement is slashing .297/.321/.425, and Myles Straw somehow looks like Babe Ruth against Boston, despite a .592 OPS overall.
On the mound, Dylan Cease, their big free agent ace, has largely been worth every penny. He had a rough first start against Boston (5.2 IP, 4 runs), but a strong second (5.0 IP, 0 runs). The Rays did ambush him for 5 runs last time, but he’s also got six games with double-digit strikeouts. For Boston, Patrick Sandoval makes his third start, with 9.1 innings, 6 runs (5 earned), 10 Ks, and 2 walks through his first two.
Seattle’s Offense Gets Noticed as Boston’s Pitching Dominates
Boston’s pitching staff is absolutely dealing. Sonny Gray might not have been an All-Star, but he’s definitely in the Cy Young conversation. He hasn’t allowed more than a single run in any start for over a month, and with Garret Crochet being irrelevant this year, Gray is the undisputed ace of that staff. It’s wild to think the Sox even considered trading him!
Then there’s Trey Yesavage, who’s been phenomenal. He shut down Boston himself in April for 5.1 innings without allowing a run, and again in June for 7.1 innings with only 3 runs, which was his longest start of the year. He’s stifled the Astros and Mets, and yeah, he even made our own Emerald City Mariners’ offense look “weaker” when he allowed them just 3 runs. Yet somehow, the Padres, who are apparently a mess, knocked him out in the second inning. On the flip side, Kevin Gausman, who used to be the main man for Toronto, has hit some hard times lately, giving up 6, 1, 7 (4 earned), 3, and 5 (4 earned) runs in his last five starts, with his last outing against the Rays lasting only 3.1 innings. The Red Sox are also hoping Ranger Suarez can return from the IL soon after dealing with soreness and illness.
So, here we are. The Jays, not the Sox, are sitting in third place in the division, just like Boston. This series is a massive test for Toronto, to see if they can somehow right the ship or if they’re truly sunk. Oh, and speaking of our M’s, we just saw the final from their game against the Cincinnati Reds: a tough 5-3 loss. Heads up, Emerald City, we’ll get ’em next time!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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