With reinforcements coming, Blue Jays show signs that they’re returning to form

TORONTO —

The Toronto Blue Jays always seemed to be running uphill over the first 50 games of the season.

A 23-27 record over the period was below expectations for the reigning American League champions. The good news for the Blue Jays is they’re in the thick of the wild-card mix and several injured players are getting closer to a return.

“Have we played up to our expectations? No. Have we played up to our ability? No,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “But you really trust that over the course of a season, that evens out.

“But you don’t want to have that even out too late.”

Toronto (24-27) extended its winning streak to three games on Friday night with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kevin Gausman was solid over 6 2/3 innings and Yohendrick Pinango and George Springer provided two-run doubles. Toronto scored three runs in the third inning and tacked on three more in the eighth.

“A couple big swings early and taking advantage of some of their mistakes,” Schneider said. “The eighth inning was nice.”

Toronto’s pitching has been reliable this year and team defence has looked better of late. But the bats have been quiet as the offence that led the AL in several categories last season has struggled to find its form.

The Blue Jays managed only five hits on Friday night but it was enough to improve their home record to 14-11.

Only one player — third baseman Kazuma Okamoto — has reached the 10-homer mark and he shares the RBI lead (27) with light-hitting Andres Gimenez.

Entering Friday’s game, the Blue Jays were 26th in slugging percentage (. 370) and on-base percentage (. 306) and 22nd in home runs (45).

Schneider said the team appears to be trending in the right direction.

“I think the offensive identity part is getting there,” he said. “And you’re missing guys, right? We’re missing key guys in our lineup. That’s not a shock to anyone, but I think just finding a way for everyone to do what they’re good at has been a little bit inconsistent.”

Injury woes have been a constant theme this season but catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb), outfielders Addison Barger (elbow) and Nathan Lukes (hamstring), and pitchers Max Scherzer (forearm), Yimi Garcia (elbow) and Shane Bieber (elbow) are all making strides.

“I think that we need to just focus on having good at-bats,” Schneider said. “I think when you get some guys back in the lineup, I think it allows you to be a little bit more flexible.”

With 10 of the AL’s 15 teams at or below the .500 mark, the Blue Jays started the day just 1 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

“It’s not early, you know what I mean?,” Schneider said. “But I mean it’s still a season, right?”

Such is the beauty of a 162-game campaign that lasts until late September. A team can be mediocre over the first 50 — or even the first 100 — games of the season and still end up being a contender.

Former Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch with fellow alum Edwin Encarnacion, was on Toronto’s 2015 team that was 50-51 in late July and ended up winning the East Division title.

“Perspective is everything and how you let it affect you,” Bautista said. “More importantly is what the team believes in (and) what they can do when they hit their stride, when things are going well.”

Gausman was his usual steady self against the Pirates, allowing one earned run, one walk and six hits while striking out eight.

The Blue Jays and Pirates continue their interleague series on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press