Home runs have been a prominent storyline for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, both for their offence and pitching staff.

Thus far, most of the focus has been directed to the lineup’s lack of power across the quarter mark of the 2025 campaign, and understandably so. Lately, however, they’ve been hitting balls out far more frequently. In fact, since Apr. 29, this team has hit 23 round-trippers, tied for the fifth-most in the majors during that span.

So, despite an abysmal opening month, the power is beginning to come for these Blue Jays hitters.

But while the offence is starting to find its groove, the pitching staff has struggled to contain the long ball early on, allowing the second-most home runs (64) of any team in 2025 — one less than the Baltimore Orioles, who lead the majors with 65.

Coincidentally, the Tampa Bay Rays — whom Toronto dropped its latest series to, losing 2-1 in the three-game set — are next up on the list after the Blue Jays and Orioles, with 62 home runs surrendered.

Those woes were on full display during Thursday’s series finale at the Rogers Centre, where the Rays tagged Blue Jays pitchers for four home runs as part of an 8-3 defeat — three of which were given up by starter Kevin Gausman, who allowed at least three dingers for just the third time in his tenure with Toronto.

For this franchise to emerge as a legitimate playoff contender, the pitching staff must get a handle on this home-run crisis. To do that, though, it all starts with missing barrels and limiting hard contact — neither of which they’ve done well to this point, posting the highest barrel rate against (11.6 per cent) and second-highest hard-hit rate against (43.4 per cent) of all 30 teams.

And don’t be surprised if the AL-leading Detroit Tigers use that to their advantage during this three-game series against the Blue Jays, which begins Friday.

Bowden Francis, Toronto’s starter for the series opener, has been at the forefront of the club’s home-run woes this season, as he’s allowed the second-most of any big-league pitcher with 12 — one shy of Zack Littell and Jameson Taillon, both of whom have surrendered an MLB-high 13.

Sunday’s projected starter, José Berríos, has also been snakebitten by the long ball this season, considering he’s allowed nine — tied for fifth-most in the sport. But he’s also someone who has routinely failed to minimize home runs throughout his career, surrendering the third-most (116) in baseball since 2021, trailing only Aaron Nola (118) and Patrick Corbin (128).

Detroit’s offence, meanwhile, has been clicking on all cylinders this month. They’ve been among the sport’s most productive units over their last 13 games, placing second in weighted runs created plus (138 wRC+, 100 league average), third in home runs (22) and slugging percentage (.484) and fourth in isolated power (.188).

Leading the charge has been a surprisingly resurgent Javier Báez, who’s slashing .333/.364/.667 with four home runs — tied for the team lead — and a 192 wRC+ over his previous 10 games. But he’s had plenty of support, too, as he’s one of 10 Tigers hitters to earn at least 20 plate appearances and record a wRC+ of 105 or higher in May.

Fortunately, the Blue Jays’ offence has also received contributions from up and down the lineup this month, albeit not to the same degree, with eight qualified hitters posting at least a 105 wRC+.

Still, as a team that continues to flirt around the .500 mark, the pitching staff must solve its home run problem soon, or it’ll likely remain challenging to string wins together amidst a difficult upcoming stretch against the Tigers, Padres and Rangers — a trio of clubs all above .500.