{"id":48340,"date":"2025-07-08T09:36:18","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T09:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/48340\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T09:36:18","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T09:36:18","slug":"blue-jays-rise-to-first-broken-down-by-numbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/48340\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays\u2019 rise to first, broken down by numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Blue Jays have turned their season around with a scorching-hot stretch.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

On May 28, the Blue Jays were under .500 and trailed the New York Yankees by eight games for first in the American League East. A little more than a month later, Toronto topped the division with a three-game lead over the Yankees heading into Monday\u2019s game against the Chicago White Sox.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a by-the-numbers look at how the Blue Jays clawed their way to first place.<\/p>\n

(All stats before Monday\u2019s games)<\/p>\n

26-10 \u2014 Toronto\u2019s record since May 28. The Blue Jays improved from 27-28 to 52-38 with series wins against the Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels and the Yankees. Toronto swept New York in a four-game home set for the first time in franchise history last week before rattling off three victories against the Angels, pushing its winning streak to eight.<\/p>\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n

7 \u2014 The Blue Jays have swept seven series through 90 games this year, including four since May 28. Toronto only had five sweeps all of last season.<\/p>\n

21 \u2014 George Springer is Toronto\u2019s MVP so far this season, turning back the clock after a poor 2024 showing. In the last 15 days, he has led MLB with 21 RBIs \u2014 11 of which came against the Yankees. The 35-year-old Springer is also tied for first in home runs (six) and on-base percentage (.500) during that stretch.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRelated Videos\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Click<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t18:46
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOne-on-one with up and coming Toronto Blue Jays prospect Arjun Nimmala\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\tPrevious Video<\/p>\n

\t\tNext Video<\/p>\n

.301 \u2014 Alejandro Kirk has bounced back from a couple of down years and ranks second among catchers in batting average. He\u2019s one of several players who stepped up to power the Blue Jays into first. Third baseman Addison Barger has also been a key contributor since joining from Triple-A Buffalo in mid-April. And in Sunday\u2019s 3-2 victory over the Angels, Joey Loperfido batted in a key run while reliever Ryan Burr earned a win \u2014 both in their season debuts.<\/p>\n

Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n

40 \u2014 The Blue Jays are getting it done without some top players. Anthony Santander had missed 40 games this season after signing a five-year, US$92.5-million deal last off-season. He hasn\u2019t played since May 29 due to left shoulder inflammation. Toronto has also gone through most of the season without fellow big addition Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner, who\u2019s 40, has pitched in only four outings this year.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\"For<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tGet breaking National news<\/p>\n

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.<\/p>\n

52 \u2014 Toronto was one victory away from tying the franchise record for wins before the All-Star Game. The Blue Jays had 53 wins before the break in 1985 and 1992, the year they won their first of back-to-back World Series titles. Toronto had six games remaining against the White Sox and Athletics \u2014 two American League bottom-dwellers \u2014 before the July 15 MLB showcase in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

\n\t\tTrending Now\n\t<\/p>\n