The 5 Most Clutch Plays by Blue Jays Pitchers in 2026

[Matthew Creally]

The Blue Jays will be watching the postseason festivities from afar in 2026, but that isn't any fault of the pitching staff. They were extremely clutch on many occasions throughout the year, led on most nights by Louis Varland, whose +4.7 WPA placed third among all pitchers in baseball. Despite constantly being tested by injury (Toronto led MLB in total reliever appearances by a long shot), the team had the ninth-best pitching WPA in the league. Here are the plays that stood out the most.

5. Brendon Little: Ezequiel Tovar Force Out, Top 10, 4/1 (+27.8% WPA)

Brendon Little would wind up salvaging his season down the stretch, with a 2.28 ERA, 3.48 FIP, and a K-BB% of 18% after the All-Star break. His first half was very difficult, as he spent most of it in the minors, but he did get a huge out in the top of the 10th to keep things close in the second series of the season against the Rockies. With Colorado threatening to add some insurance, he got Ezequiel Tovar to bounce a first-pitch curveball right to Kazuma Okamoto at third, who threw to second to end the inning.

4. Braydon Fisher: Jose Altuve Groundout, Top 10, 6/23 (+29.0% WPA)

This was a game that, had the Blue Jays won, would've put them over .500 for the first time since the first week of April. They wound up losing one inning after this play and wouldn't clear the .500 mark again until early September. Still, Braydon Fisher did everything in his power to get them there, working a clean and efficient top of the 10th to give the offense a chance. Jose Altuve was on the hunt for his fourth hit of the game, but with the go-ahead run 90 feet away, his chopper to short ended the threat.

3. Louis Varland: Connor Norby Strikeout Double Play, Top 8, 5/27 (+29.4% WPA)

The Marlins were aggressive on the bases in this one, attempting nine steals throughout the afternoon. With a full count, one out, and men on the corners in a one-run game in the top of the eighth, they tried a bold set play to get the tying run home by inducing a throw to second. However, Connor Norby took a high curveball for strike three, and in one of Tyler Heineman's final big moments as a Blue Jay, he fired a cannon to Ernie Clement, catching Jakob Marsee dead to rights and getting his guys off the field.

2. Braydon Fisher: Luis Arraez FIDP, Bot 11, 8/9 (+33.7% WPA)

With all due respect to Fisher – who did great work along with the rest of the bullpen this whole series that saw two games go to extras and the other remain in the balance until the final out of the ninth – this play will always be remembered for Nathan Lukes's unbelievable throw. Luis Arraez thought he had a walk-off sac fly, but Lukes unleashed a one-hop strike to Alejandro Kirk at the plate, retiring Garrett Stubbs and sending the game to the 12th. For the second straight year, Lukes was excellent in right field. His throwing arm alone saved the Blue Jays six runs according to Statcast, placing him in the 98th percentile.

1. Louis Varland: Nolan Schanuel GIDP, Bot 9, 4/21 (+34.0% WPA)

Jeff Hoffman couldn't slam the door in this one, so Louis Varland was summoned to face Nolan Schanuel with the bases loaded and one out. Even though the Angels were down by two, Schanuel could have won them this game without leaving the yard. Instead, Varland got him to ground into a double play on the first pitch. This remains one of the most decisive rally-killers in Blue Jays history and perfectly encapsulates the otherworldly season that Varland enjoyed.

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