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Blue Jays series recap: Offence went cold as pitching improved against Tigers
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
May 20, 2025, 10:00 EDTUpdated: May 19, 2025, 23:45 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays can’t seem to generate any momentum.
In the last series, the Blue Jays dropped two of three to the Detroit Tigers. After pitching was the main culprit in their series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, it was the Jays’ bats that let them down over the weekend.
More than half their runs came on Friday, a game which the Jays lost 5-4. They dug themselves into a 4-0 hole, only to fight back and get it to one. A Javy Baez home run in the top of the eighth was the difference, as Bo Bichette hit a solo shot for the Jays’ final run.
Coming into Saturday’s game, the Tigers were 26-0 when leading after six, but that changed. Alejandro Kirk hit a clutch base hit in the bottom of the eighth, and Ernie Clement hit the walk-off single to set a rubber match for Sunday. A good win, but it wasn’t sustained.
It was once again a close game, as the Tigers opened the scoring with a two-run double off the bat of Spencer Torkelson. Kirk and Clement both hit RBI singles to tie the game at two. Unfortunately, Tokelson hit another RBI in the top of the seventh, as the Jays fell 3-2 to drop their seventh series in their last nine.
It wasn’t a great series for the Blue Jays’ bats. Myles Straw and Tyler Heineman continue to hit well in limited plate appearances, but of the regulars, only Bichette and Daulton Varsho had a wRC+ above 100 this series. Both of them hit a home run on Friday, the two home runs the Jays hit in this series.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk had an acceptable series, with both players finishing with a 92 wRC+, Kirk had two big hits as well. Addison Barger wasn’t great and Ernie Clement hit a walk-off so his 76 wRC+ gets a pass. The same cannot be said for George Springer and Anthony Santander.
Springer failed to get a hit and struck out five times for a -63 wRC+. Santander received five plate appearances this series, striking out three times. Both players have to do better than what they provided in this series.
The bullpen had a solid series, giving up two earned runs (Mason Fluharty, Chad Green) in 12 and one-third innings pitched. Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher, Yimi Garcia, Jeff Hoffman, and Yariel Rodriguez all pitched scoreless outings.
Bowden Francis had another tough game, giving up four earned runs in four and two-thirds innings. Eric Lauer only pitched three innings (it should’ve been more), striking out five and allowing a solo home run for a 3 ERA. Jose Berrios had the same ERA, going six innings with two earned runs.
The Jays’ home stand continues, as they host the San Diego Padres for a three-game series starting Tuesday.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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