One of the hardest strengths of schedules to start the 2022 MLB season, injuries to Hyun Jin Ryu, Danny Jansen, and Teoscar Hernandez, all while playing through awful umpires, has been challenging. However, this has not stopped the Toronto Blue Jays. On April 26, 2022, the Jays sit top of the AL standings, holding an 11-6 record. The youthful team has an identity built to win. Leading the MLB in Home Runs and Saves, the clutch ability throughout the hitting and late-game pitching has been delivered throughout the first 17 games.
Canadian-born Blue Jays star, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., has been off to a hot start in his senior campaign. 5 Home Runs, a .344 batting average, and 12 RBIs, as well as consistently playing first, a concern many have had with his young career. Outfielder, George Springer, has continued to show how a consistent lead-off batter can accelerate the Blue Jays lineup. With 17 hits, and batting at a .280 average, he has been an offensive boost, at the same time being a clear clubhouse leader with a winning pedigree. Bo Bichette has shown struggles offensively; however, the past has shown he can be a consistent top hitter along with a full season schedule. Further down the lineup, an experienced Matt Chapman has already proven why he is a former 2-time Platinum Glove award winner, defensively, one of the best Third Basemen in the league. The flexibility of the lineup daily has made for difficult matchups for opposing pitchers. Zack Collins has been a pleasant surprise in the lineup since the injury to Jays’ Catcher, Danny Jansen. Collins is batting over .300 and has contributed 3 Home Runs in only 9 stars. The pitching rotation had a shaky first few games; however, recent good starts from Alek Manoah, and new Jay, Kevin Gausman have instilled confidence in this rotation. In the first 10 games, the Blue Jays were averaging a 5.70 ERA, while the last 7 have dropped drastically to a phenomenal 2.72.
The Blue Jays continue a 4-game home series against the Boston Red Sox at the Rogers Centre, looking to extend a new homestand win streak. Following up momentum from last night’s 2-2, 8th inning Grand Slam off the bat of Bo Bichette. Plenty of high-leverage situations have been played already, with many more to come, however, a young Jays team facing adversity early in the season could pay off in October.
