Blue Jays riding high atop AL East standings
The team has had significant contributions from unexpected sources while some big names have not performed up to expectations. Injuries have also been an issue but backups have often shone with the opportunity.
Here's a look at five things to watch ahead of the unofficial start of the second half of the season on Friday night.
PLAYOFF PUSH
Never mind the wild-card series. The Blue Jays are aiming for a top-two finish in the AL standings and a direct berth in the divisional round.
Entering Friday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants, Toronto is just one game behind the West Division-leading Houston Astros and 3 1/2 games behind the Central Division-leading Detroit Tigers.
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If the post-season started today, Toronto would be the top wild-card seed and host the Seattle Mariners in a best-of-three play-in round.
The wild-card series has not been kind to Toronto in recent years. The Blue Jays, who missed the playoffs with a 74-88 record last season, were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays (2020), Seattle Mariners (2022) and Minnesota Twins (2023) in their last three post-season appearances.
Toronto hasn't won a playoff game since reaching the AL Championship Series in 2016.
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SPRING SURGE
After a mediocre start to the season, the Blue Jays have come on strong over the last two months.
Toronto has posted a 39-21 record (.650 winning percentage) since May 8 and has led the major leagues in several offensive categories over that stretch.
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The Blue Jays have won 13 of their last 17 games and 29 of their last 42.
BATTER UP
Addison Barger, Eric Lauer, Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement and Brendon Little have emerged as key players for the Blue Jays this season.
Barger is second on the team with 13 homers while Lukes is hitting .276 with a .371 OBP. Clement has a .288 average and offers strong defence with positional versatility.
Lauer, meanwhile, has become a reliable member of the starting rotation. With a 4-2 record and 2.78 ERA, the journeyman southpaw helped filled the void when Max Scherzer was out with a thumb issue.
Little (4-1, 2.03 ERA) leads the squad with 45 appearances and has held opponents to a .184 average.
BIG GUNS
Bounce-back seasons from George Springer (.270 BA, 16 homers, 53 RBIs) and Bo Bichette (.282 BA, 12 homers, 53 RBIs) have helped restore some pop to Toronto's offence.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who signed a 14-year, US$500-million extension in April, has been steady if unspectacular while Alejandro Kirk has blossomed in a full-time catcher role.
Those successes have helped mitigate some of the challenges the team has faced due to injury and underperformance.
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Slugger Anthony Santander (shoulder) struggled mightily before landing on the injured list. Second baseman Andres Gimenez (ankle), centre-fielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) and setup man Yimi Garcia (ankle) are some of the other notable names on the IL.
The Blue Jays could get a boost as early as next month if right-hander Alek Manoah (elbow surgery) continues his progression after elbow surgery. He finished third in AL Cy Young Award voting in 2022.
COMING UP
Toronto will close out its six-game homestand next week with a big three-game series against the second-place New York Yankees.
That will be followed by a four-game set in Detroit against the Tigers, who lead the major leagues at 59-38.
Blue Jays fans will also be keen to see if general manager Ross Atkins can swing some deals ahead of the MLB trade deadline on July 31.
Toronto will close out its regular season on Sept. 28 against Tampa Bay.
The Blue Jays have an 83.4-per cent chance of making the playoffs, per FanGraphs projections. The website gives Toronto a 37.1-per cent chance of winning the East and a 4.6-per cent shot at winning its first World Series title since 1993.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 16, 2025.
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Bo Bichette #11 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs toward first base on his two-run double to score in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 and Ernie Clement #22 in the third inning of their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants Rogers Centre on July 20, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. Photo by Cole Burston / Getty Images While their pitching was a bit spotty, the Blue Jays' offence was spot on, the main reason why disaster was averted as Toronto won its 10th straight home game to tie a franchise record. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. 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Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors On a sun-baked Sunday afternoon, the Jays led the San Francisco Giants by five runs after five innings, but would hold on for an 8-6 win and their third successive sweep at the Rogers Centre. The stage is now set for a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees that begins Monday night in what promises to be yet another epic matchup. The Bronx Bombers arrive in town three full games behind the AL East-leading Jays after winning the rubber match of their three-game set in Atlanta on Sunday. 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