Where's the Offence? Blue Jays Week in Review

Weekly Snapshot: Mon, 4/21 through Sun, 4/27
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Record Last Week: 1-5 (Overall: 13-15)
Run Differential Last Week: -24 (Overall: -27)
Standings: Fourth Place in AL East (4.0 GB), 11th in AL (2.0 GB of 3rd Wild Card)

Last Week's Results
Game 23: | TOR 0  - HOU 7
Gausman: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
Springer: 1-3, BB, 2 SB
Bichette: 1-4

Game 24: | TOR 1 - HOU 5
Bassitt: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Lukes: 1-3, HR (1)
Clement: 1-3

Game 25: | TOR 1 - HOU 3
Francis: 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Springer 1-3, 2B
Giménez 1-3, SB

Game 26: | TOR 4 - NYY 2
Berríos: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Guerrero JR.: HR (2)
Barger: 2-4, Lukes: 2-4

Game 27: | TOR 2 - NYY 11
Gausman: 2.2 IP, 3 H, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K (threw 53 pitches in the third inning)
Barger: 2-2, RBI
Straw: 3-4 

Game 28: | TOR 1 - NYY 5
Bassitt: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Santander: 1-3, HR (3)
Guerrero Jr.: 1-3, BB 

Highlights

It was a pretty tough week for the Toronto Blue Jays. Not only did their one win mark the lowest win total in a week they’ve had this season, but the previous trend of not being able to score many runs continued. They scored nine runs and gave up 33. But there were some positive moments as well

Nathan Lukes came back from his paternity leave and hit his first home run of the season, Addison Barger went 4-9 with two doubles, and Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both hit home runs. Alejandro Kirk threw out a few more would-be base stealers, too.

On the pitching side, the Blue Jays got their first look this season of Dillon Tate and Josh Walker. Tate allowed two hits in his inning and a third, and Walker pitched in two games, giving up seven hits and two walks while striking out six in his appearances.

José Berríos had the best start of the week, throwing 5 ⅓ IP with five hits and no earned runs, striking out four. He was the starter on the mound for the only game the Blue Jays won this past week. 

Lowlights

The trend of the young season continues, and the Blue Jays are simply not scoring enough runs. As previously mentioned, they scored just nine runs in their six games last week, and they aren't going to win many more games if that trend continues. It has now been two full weeks since the Blue Jays scored more than four runs in a game.

It's hard to pick out just one player, as the power outage seems to be affecting the whole team. Here are some notable Blue Jays stat lines from last week:

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 3-21, HR, 2 BB, 7 K
• Anthony Santander: 1-18, HR, 3 BB, 8 K
• Andrés Giménez: 1-19, 2 BB, 5 K
• Bo Bichette: 5-24 (all singles), 0 BB, 4 K
• Alan Roden: 0-13, 1 BB, 5 K

Tyler Heineman, Jonatan Clase, and Will Wagner all combined to go 0-for-17 with 2 BBs and 5 Ks this past week as well.

On the pitching side, it wasn't much better. Kevin Gausman tied a franchise record by throwing 53 pitches in an inning in a start where he walked five and gave up six earned runs. Chris Bassitt gave up eight earned runs over his two starts, and the Blue Jays didn't get a single quality start from any of the four starters that pitched last week.

The bullpen was also bad. Collectively, they pitched to a 5.59 ERA, which was ahead of only the Atlanta Braves for the worst in baseball. Almost every reliever who pitched gave up a run, with the only exceptions being Yimi García and Jeff Hoffman, who weren't relied on much this past week. Paxton Schultz and Walker each gave up multiple runs.

Subpar starting pitching, an under-performing bullpen, and a dreadful showing at the plate all make it feel lucky that the Blue Jays even won one game this week.

News, Notes and Not Playing

• The Blue Jays claimed RHP Casey Lawrence from the Seattle Mariners. The 37-year-old has spent some time with the Blue Jays in the past, pitching 18 innings in 2022. It's unclear if he will pitch out of the bullpen or make a spot start for the team.

• Jacob Barnes, who elected free agency after being released by the Jays on April 22, is now back on a minor league deal.
• The Blue Jays have also signed RHP Connor Overton, who appeared in spring training with the New York Mets. He will head to Buffalo.
• Jonatan Clase was called up to be the 27th man in the doubleheader on Sunday and is now back in Buffalo. 

10-day IL: Daulton Varsho
Daulton Varsho spent the week between Dunedin and Buffalo and was able to play some time in the outfield. It sounds like he will be back with the Blue Jays tonight.

15-day IL: Erik Swanson, Max Scherzer, Nick Sandlin

• Max Scherzer threw a 27-pitch bullpen session. Still no update on a rehab assignment yet.
• Erik Swanson is beginning a rehab assignment and will pitch today in Dunedin.

60-day IL: Alek Manoah, Ryan Burr

• Burr was transferred to the 60-day IL to clear up a 40-man spot.

Looking Ahead

The Blue Jays return home and will face the Boston Red Sox for the second time this season. After that, they will get their first look at the Cleveland Guardians. The Red Sox have heated up since their slow start and are now in second place in the AL East. The Blue Jays will have a tough task facing Garrett Crochet in the opener on Tuesday.

The Guardians are also in second place in their division, and with them comes Carlos Santana, who historically has always hit well against the Blue Jays.

If the Blue Jays are going to have success at home this week, getting more life from the bats is going to be crucial.