Blue Jays Drop to Fourth in 2026 AL East Standings After 13-3 Loss to Division Rival Orioles
These division rivals are facing off again after finishing a series less than a week ago. This game could be considered a tiebreaker for the last matchup and for the AL East standings, as both teams are 30-33 for third place. Toronto broke a losing streak in its last outing, preventing a sweep from the Atlanta Braves. Baltimore won their last series 2-1 in Boston. Both teams got on the board quickly, with each scoring one in the first. The score remained 1-1 until the bottom of the fifth when rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela hit a two-run homer to make it 3-1 Toronto. However, Adley Rutschman of Baltimore, after starting the scoring with a home run, continued it with a double and two RBIs to tie it in the top of the sixth. Then, pinch-hitter Jeremiah Jackson’s RBI gave the Orioles a 4-3 lead. The rally continued with Coby Mayo’s two-run homer to make it 6-3 and remove Trey Yesavage from the game. Adam Macko then came in to get the Jays out of the inning. However, another RBI from Jackson increased Baltimore's lead to 7-3 in the eighth. Colton Cowser then scored Jackson, before Leody Taveras’ sacrifice hit made it 9-3. Rutschman topped off the night with a double to bring the score to 11-3. Errors only made the inning worse, and Toronto couldn’t even recover with home-field advantage. The game ended 13-3, Baltimore.
One Step Forward, Three Steps Back
Daulton Varsho was experiencing some left wrist discomfort in his first at-bat of the game, which was later confirmed later in the game by the team. It looked at first as if Yohendrick Piñango would go in for him after many conversations with Blue Jays staff. The rookie was even in the on-deck circle, but the next inning, Varsho was back in center field. One more inning later, Piñango was back in to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and Varsho officially left the dugout. Just as things were looking up for the Jays with many players navigating rehab starts, losing another essential part of their team would be devastating. The 29-year-old rarely lets a ball drop in the outfield and has a .257 AVG with a .741 OPS. Thankfully, after the game, manager John Schneider said the X-rays were negative, and his player is most likely dealing with inflammation. He doesn’t expect Varsho to be out longer than a day or two, which is the news fans and players alike needed to hear.
The Kid Deserves to Stay
Valenzuela is one of the many rookies carrying the Blue Jays, but with Alejandro Kirk inching closer to a return, his Major League career could be in jeopardy. The rookie hit his sixth homer of the season this game to reach a three-way tie for second most homers on the Jays. He also has a .23l AVG and a .723 OPS. However, Kirk hit his own homer in Thursday’s rehab start and is the closest position player to a comeback. The 25-year-old could never replace a silver slugger and two-time all-star, but he has proven enough to at least split starts. The real question seems to be, will backup catcher Tyler Heineman survive this roster-spot war? Despite being the go-to when Toronto is losing so badly that a position player needs to pitch, the 34-year-old only has one home run and a .158 AVG. Will the veteran survive when the rookie needs to be rewarded for his contributions? The switch-hitter could easily be a DH in the meantime, especially with so many great hitters still injured. He not only filled the shoes of his teammate, but added value of his own, and sending him back to the Minors would be a grave mistake for Toronto.
