The Blue Jays are facing the most critical stretch of the regular season before punching their tickets to the playoffs in October.

This is certainly one of the most important regular-season stretches for Toronto, with a lot riding on all parts of the roster. Every player’s contribution will matter, but here are the five players who could become the game-changers for the Blue Jays this upcoming month.

Since starting his first game as a Blue Jay down in LoanDepot Park in August, Shane Bieber has been everything the Blue Jays were hoping for.

In 17 1/3 innings pitched, Bieber recorded a 4.15 ERA, 2.74 FIP, and a 0.808 WHIP. He cruised through his first two outings before allowing five hits and five earned runs in his last start in Cincinnati, elevating his ERA.

Although it’s only been three starts so far, the 30-year-old starter has provided the depth the rotation desperately needed and has taken the weight off pitchers like Max Scherzer and Eric Lauer. Moving forward, Bieber’s contribution team will only become more crucial as the Blue Jays look to win more games against tougher contenders in September. Getting the Cy Young-winning version of Bieber would be spectacular, but even just getting the consistent version of him should be enough for Toronto to make a compelling case for the rest of the season and in the playoffs.

Toronto didn’t sign a mega extension with the 26-year-old Dominican first baseman for nothing.

Aside from keeping the face of the franchise, Guerrero has always had the potential to become a difference maker by finding a new level of his talent each year. Even if the 2021 version seems far from reach, the young infielder has lived up to expectations since 2024, with a solid slashline of .323/.396/.544 and 30 home runs.

This year, Guerrero has slashed .298/.393/.495 and 23 home runs so far and owns a .888 OPS through 507 at-bats. But for the Blue Jays to have any chance at winning playoff games, they need the best possible version of their star slugger. Shortstop Bo Bichette has held up his end of the bargain by practically becoming a hit and RBI machine in August – now it’s Guerrero’s turn to step up and help out Bichette as one of the star players.

Jeff Hoffman has been all over the place so far this summer.

After having a strong start to his season as Toronto’s new closer, the former Philadelphia Phillies’ reliever has been going through a rougher stretch, which has ballooned his ERA to 4.85, leaving the fanbase questioning his competence as a closer. However, if the Blue Jays want to have any shot at locking down playoff games, they need the best version of Hoffman.

Even though the 2023 and 2024 versions of the 32-year-old reliever have been far from perfect for the Philies, those versions of him recorded an ERA of 2.41 and 2.17 in 2023 and 2024, respectively, although he wasn’t the main closer for the Phillies. Hoffman’s slider has been his best pitch this season, amassing a +2 pitching run value and holding opponents to a .187 xBA. His fastball can be solid at times, but opponents have squared up the offering when he makes mistake pitches, evident by the .597 SLG and .291 wOBA.

Perhaps the solution is reforming the pitch mix and helping Hoffman adapt his game plan. But one way or another, the Blue Jays can’t have a successful September without the best version of Jeff Hoffman.

Part of the reason why the Blue Jays have been this successful is because catcher Alejandro Kirk has provided an all-star level offence and defence all season long.

After a very defensive-heavy 2024 season, Kirk has turned the page this year at the plate and owns a .296/.363/.430 slash line with 17 doubles, 12 home runs, and a .793 OPS. He’s been having such a stellar season that he also stole his first base ever in August, eyeing to take over Rickey Henderson’s record (it will only take him a few hundred years). Kirk’s consistency at the plate and his ability behind the plate have been key to the Blue Jays’ excellent record so far. Kirk doesn’t strike out as much and hits the ball hard whenever he can.

He also knows how to frame balls to steal strikes. Those skills will be critical down the stretch for the Blue Jays. Not many teams have two solid catchers, and the fact that Toronto has been able to get the most out of both Alejandro Kirk and backup catcher Tyler Heineman has been a difference maker. Kirk’s steady and powerful presence will be something the Blue Jays need in September.

Daulton Varsho’s season has been a roller coaster on its own. With injuries sidelining the Gold Glove-winning centre fielder for some part of the 2025 season, Toronto hasn’t seen Varsho’s name pencilled into the lineup for a longer stretch of time.

However, what the Blue Jays witnessed so far was one of the better outfielders who can contribute both offensively and defensively. In 202 plate appearances, the 29-year-old outfielder has slashed .243/.297/.608 line with 18 home runs, making a case for his ability to hit for power. The best version of Varsho hit 27 home runs in 2022 with the Diamondbacks, and he’s already tied his total from last season with over double the amount of at-bats.

If the Blue Jays can continue to get power at the same volume from their centre fielder, Toronto will benefit from his added home run ability against some tough teams down the stretch. Varsho has already proven himself defensively with a few highlight reel-worthy catches in the outfield; his offensive contribution has the potential to add an it-factor to the already pesky lineup.

All Toronto Blue Jays odds are brought to you by MLB betting site Betway!