The All-Star game offers a breather for many players, but the grind of a 162-game season can weigh heavy in its latter half. For some teams, the dream of postseason glory fades even with many games left.
The first half of the season has been a grind for the Blue Jays. With the Tampa Bay Rays setting a blistering pace early on, Toronto's managed a respectable 50-41, only 7 games shy of the AL East lead. More importantly, they're in the wildcard hunt.
Post back-to-back World Series wins in '92 and '93, success has been scarce—except for a 2015 AL East title. Yet, their 2022 wildcard berth might just hint at a promising future, propelled by a dynamic crew of young stars.
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They're yearning to surpass the accomplishments of another elite Toronto team, the Maple Leafs. Both teams promise greatness, yet the results have yet to fully match. As the All-Star interlude provides a moment for reflection, let's delve into the Blue Jays' season so far and project what's next.
In 2022, the Blue Jays' lineup was potent, launching 200 homers and finishing seventh overall in the majors. Approaching the 2023 All-Star break, their homer count has dipped, with Bo Bichette pacing the team with 15.
Bichette has been the offensive standout, sporting a .317 average, ranking him second in the American League. With the potential to surpass 200 hits this year, he would be an MVP frontrunner—if it weren't for someone from Los Angeles named Shohei Ohtani.
While not in full homerun form early on, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shines by leading the team in RBIs with 31 extra-base hits and a .274 batting average—though fans crave more, recalling his heroic 2021 and 2022 home run tallies.
Matt Chapman has been prolific with doubles, ranking second in the league—a stellar comeback from last season. He's proved pivotal, needing this break to recharge for the demanding season ahead.
The experience of Whit Merrifield breeds stability for the Jays, leading in stolen bases. Meanwhile, Kevin Kiermaier showcases exceptional defense and has racked up five triples. As veterans, they fortify the clubhouse with reliability.
Despite fewer home runs, the Jays have scored effectively, ranking thirteenth in major league runs. With one of the deepest lineups, they're poised for an offensive surge as the sun-drenched days of summer loom.
Apart from the underwhelming performance of Alek Manoah, the Blue Jays' pitching has been impressive. That their rotation boasts a 3.97 ERA, despite Manoah's 5.91, speaks volumes.
Kevin Gausman's leadership shines through with a strong 3.03 ERA over 115+ innings pitched. Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt closely trail, contributing with over six innings per start between them.
Fans are ecstatic to see Berrios bounce back to his Twins-era form. An ERA over 5.20 loomed large last year, but now it's a much-improved 3.50—just what the team envisioned since acquiring him in 2021.
During his brief stay with the Mets, Bassitt was reliable, leading into 2023. Now, the only Blue Jay with a shutout this season, he eyes reclaiming his stellar May form.
Kikuchi, dogged by surrendering too many homers, offers hope with an upgraded ERA from last season. Reducing those homers in the second half could see him carve out a standout 3.50.
Initially deemed the team's Achilles' heel, the bullpen has stepped up with a 3.63 ERA—ranked fifth best overall—with a WHIP of 1.21, just shy of the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves.
Jordan Romano remains a formidable closer with 26 saves, tying with league leaders Diaz and Doval. His ERA stands at 2.87, a minor dip but still sturdy numbers.
Tim Mayza remains a bullpen stalwart, eclipsing his 2022 output. With a 1.17 ERA in over 30 innings and a streak of 15 appearances without an earned run since late May, he's borderline untouchable.
Erik Swanson, the bullpen workhorse in 2022, brims with a solid 3.16 ERA over 42 appearances. His few slip-ups belied by a mesmerizing .181 opponent batting average.
Versatile long-reliever Trevor Richards takes center stage, with a 3.02 ERA over 44⅔ innings—thriving in home settings with an impressive 1.82 ERA at Rogers Centre.
Their .986 fielding percentage, marred by 46 errors, positions them seventeenth in the league. Cleaning this up comes crucial as the Blue Jays eye a more fortified second half.
Frequent fielding issues arise with Santiago Espinal, who managed six errors across forty games, with weak percentages at third and second base—something to address moving forward.
Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman also contribute to fielding woes with eight and seven errors, though Bichette's fielding marks an improvement from prior seasons' errors.
Chapman experiences a fielding slip after two standout seasons. While the position poses challenges, he'll strive to refine his game as the season progresses.
Daulton Varsho's seven outfield assists shine brightly, matching other clubs' entire teams. Only the Tampa Bay Rays commit fewer outfield errors, offering substantial reason for Jays' fielding pride.
Hitting against left-handed pitching emerges as a major hurdle—an area Varsho needs improvement. A critical balance awaits, potentially involving strategic personnel changes.
Despite a stellar outfield, supplementing it with a potent lefty-hitting asset becomes essential, previously held by Hernandez. Injuries plaguing Springer and Kiermaier amplify such needs.
As teams strive for stretch-run reinforcements, a quality bullpen addition—particularly a middle reliever—could benefit, providing a crucial innings-eater.
The pursuit of an effective left-handed reliever might be on the cards, with Mayza running solo in this capacity—he's flourishing, yet additional support would relieve the burden.
Dominating their division is crucial if the Blue Jays plan another postseason appearance. Though excelling against a weaker AL Central, their dismal 5-15 intra-division requires swift reversal.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s legacy portends more to come, solidifying his role in the lineup as vital. Though not defined by a sole player, his contribution boosts their postseason aspirations.
Alek Manoah's final pre-break game showed promise, though it was against lesser competition. Nevertheless, there's optimism that he can bounce back stronger post-break.
With undeniable team potential on both offense and defense, the Blue Jays aim for a repeat playoff appearance in 2023. A collective second-half spike could intimidate AL opponents above them.
Imagine that! Thirty seasons have passed since Joe Carter's legendary home run sealed the deal against the Phillies, and it feels like an era long gone. But with the current roster of the Blue Jays, fans are starting to believe that securing a third championship ring isn't merely a fantasy.
The potential to contend for a World Series title is clearly there, but synchronizing their peak performance will be key. Being nine games over .500 at the All-Star break is a promising foothold, especially as the rest of the league finds itself in a similarly balanced state.
As it stands, only the Rays, Orioles, and Rangers boast a stronger standing than the Blue Jays in the American League. With odds of +2500 to clinch the 2023 World Series, it's quite a deal for a team brimming with such caliber. best betting sites in Canada
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