The Toronto Blue Jays approached the 2026 MLB season with clear expectations of once again reaching the World Series.
Now, on July 1st, as the team hits the field at the Rogers Centre for the annual “Canada Day” game, wearing the red and white in support of one of MLB’s most loyal fan bases, the idea of even reaching the playoffs appears to be quickly fading.
Just how badly this 2026 Blue Jays offense, in particular, has performed through the first 80-plus games of the season is still a taboo topic, in effect, the elephant in the room that few sports writers wish to boldly delve into.
Silent Bats
The numbers, though, are jarring. The Jays are currently 26th among the 32 MLB teams, with an abysmal .696.OPS. That’s the stat most revealing of the team’s approach at the plate and hints towards an overall lack of ability to score runs.
The Jays were third in .OPS through the 2025 season, and the difference is absolutely noticeable when viewing the at-bats on any given night. With the exception of Ernie Clement, Jays’ hitters have all but abandoned the grinding approach, the extended at-bats, and the fouling off, of pitch after pitch.
That was the game plan, and execution that made the Jays offense so successful, and a juggernaut lineup from June onwards last year.
Not Easy to Move On
It could be easy to throw endless rain on the parade of a team that is undoubtedly riddled with PTSD from a World Series that was ripped from their firm grasp. They have been a disappointment, sure, but there are still some very positive signs from this club that suggest the Wild Card is still in play.
If and when the offense, led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., finally makes the adjustment that will put his power numbers back in the proper place, the Jays’ season can still be salvaged. Here are three carriers of hope for this 2026 edition of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Louis Varland
The Jays had to learn the hard way that Varland is their ninth-inning man after enduring a handful of collapses from tenured closer Jeff Hoffman.
The Minnesotan has settled in perfectly in Toronto and should earn his first All-Star nod in recognition of some incredible first-half numbers. Varland still maintains a sub-1 ERA through 41 relief appearances, where he has also collected 17 saves, many of which were in seriously high-leverage situations.
With the combination of lefty Mason Fluharty, the submarine delivery, and ground ball-inducing efforts of Tyler Rogers, and Varland closing, the Jays suddenly have one of the top bullpens in the American League.
