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What a difference three days has made for the Blue Jays, who are suddenly enjoying a wave of momentum after the All-Star break.
The Rangers’ 10-0 breakout on Sunday afternoon at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, NY, completed the series sweep after the Blue Jays won the first half of the doubles program 5-0, and so was it. unbalanced as the scores suggest. Add that to Friday’s news that the team will return to Toronto on July 30 for their first game at Rogers Center in 670 days, and it was the organization’s best weekend of the season.
“It’s huge,” said George Springer. “The objective is obviously to start well after the All-Star break. It’s a big stretch for us here. On top of that, we find we can go home. It’s exciting. I know there is a certain buzz around the club house right now. It’s exciting. “
Springer is one of the many team members who have never played at the Rogers Center in the Blue Jays uniform. Key contributors like him Hyun Jin Ryu, Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray have only known life in Buffalo or Dunedin, Fla., But just as much as this weekend sweep, Springer expects this emotional upturn helps fuel Toronto in the final third of the season.
“I was fortunate enough to play there as a road player, and it was always a fun place to play, a great place to play,” said Springer. “I know the city is delighted that we are coming home. I can not wait. I look forward to it here in a few days.
The Blue Jays scored 10 points in the first two innings of Sunday’s second game, including a grand slam from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. kicked off his 31st home run of the season, giving him three in the series after his All-Star Game MVP Award, and he was joined by Springer – who went back to back – and Randal Grichuk, who had a four RBI day.
Toronto’s talent dominates Texas when you compare the two rosters, but that didn’t always matter in 2021 as Toronto struggled with injuries, poor defense and obvious bullpen issues. Sunday was an example of what the Blue Jays must do if they are to make a point in the second half, however. Division battles against the Red Sox, who will visit Buffalo on Monday, will be tight. The same can be said for the Yankees and Rays and a number of AL teams involved in the Wild Card hunt, but as Toronto beats him he will have to catch up against weaker teams.
All phases of the Blue Jays roster clicked on Sunday, and two formidable starts from Hyun Jin Ryu and Steven Matz relieved the bullpen. Ryu threw a seven-innings shutout early on, then Matz was able to find a groove with a big lead, making his best outing since returning from COVID-19 IL in late June with five scoreless goals. The offense was obviously also clicking, and when Toronto plays to its strengths like it did on Sunday, the club are playing one of the most exciting baseball brands in the league.
We can’t measure momentum like we measure everything else in baseball, but Toronto has it. Returning home on July 30, which is also the trade deadline, lines up perfectly for the Blue Jays to continue riding that wave as well. They just need to keep winning.
“I’m really excited. It’s been almost two years since we’ve been able to go to Toronto,” Ryu said through an interpreter. “I finally have a chance to pitch in front of the city, in front of the Toronto fans on a Toronto mound. I’m just super excited for that, and we have to prepare. “
Beating the teams below them in the standings is key for the Blue Jays, but the real challenge is still ahead. Toronto will face AL East leaders Boston in seven of its next 10 games before returning to Rogers Center, so picking up four or five will be an important first step as August approaches.
“We’re entering this series playing some good baseball,” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “That helps. Again, Boston is having a great season, but this is our chance to gain ground. You can only do it one game at a time.
The Blue Jays will also face the Sox at home on the weekend of August 6-8, so the next three weeks could dramatically shake up AL East’s image. The past three days have been the best start Toronto could hope for in the second half, however. A real race with a long winning streak is needed at some point, and the team got into a position to bring that down from the start.
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