The 2026 season is on the line for the Toronto Blue Jays. If they don't pick it up soon, they won't be in contention for a playoff spot. Yes, I know it's only early May, but the Jays have a lot of ground to make up. As I write this, they are 9.5 games behind the AL East Division leaders, the New York Yankees. Only the woeful Boston Red Sox have a worse record.
It seems like the Jays are at the tipping point. They need to have a winning streak soon. The injuries haven't helped, especially the one to catcher Alejandro Kirk, but good teams can overcome injuries. The Jays seem mediocre at the moment.
The magic of last season, doesn't seem to be there right now. The bats have gone cold. Vladdy is hitting well, but not for power. He only has 2 home runs so far, but his batting average is an impressive .319. He has 43 hits and 16 RBI.
Some of this is not unexpected. It's almost impossible to replicate what happened last season, However, GM Ross Atkins failed to make up for the loss of Bo Bichette's production. Anthony Santaner struggled last season and couldn't be counted on to surge this season. As it turned out, he underwent surgery and will be out for months.
The season isn't lost yet, but time is running out. If the Jays' hitting drought doesn't end soon, I'm afraid they won't be in contention. They've lost that winning feeling and they need to get it back before it's too late.
- Joanne
