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Reliving the 10 best wins from the Blue Jays’ season
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Matthew Spagnuolo
Sep 29, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 28, 2026, 16:06 EDT
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With the 2026 season now in the rearview, it was by far a mixed bag for many reasons. Injuries and underperformance were a huge trend for the Toronto Blue Jays this past season. Despite that, though, baseball intrigue was at an all-time high going into the team’s 50th season, and there always are some memories and takeaways from 162 games this season.
While this list is not the definitive best 10 games of the season, these are just games that, to me, feel like the true high points of a confusing and frustrating season. So let’s buckle up and relive some of those for happier moments.

Honourable mention:

 July 18, Vs. Chicago White Sox Final Score: 1-0

This game was a sign that Shane Bieber was still an effective starter, as he shut out the White Sox. This game was more responsible for unveiling the statue to commemorate the back-to-back World Series champions in 1992 and 1993. While the team came up short in the previous season, bringing out legends of the game and having Joe Carter, the one who touched them all at the forefront of centre stage, was even more a reason to celebrate the past and be optimistic about the future.

10. March 27, Vs. Athletics: Final score 3-2

The Home Opener, without a doubt, is one of the best games of the season. The pre-game ceremony showcasing the intro to 50 years of Blue Jays baseball was enough to make any fan, old or new, tear up. The pregame graphics on the field were without a doubt top-notch as we reflected on the amazing ride we went on the previous postseason.
After the intros were done (and Tim Langton messed up the order of Trey Yesavage and Davis Schneider), the ballgame was a standard affair. Kevin Gausman did what Kevin Gausman does best and pitched a gem of a game. Six strong innings capped off by 11 strikeouts to set the tone. Despite Shane Langeliers hitting a solo shot in the fourth inning, the Jays battled back and scored two runs courtesy of Andrés Giménez. Then the bottom of the ninth happened.
It happened… again. Jeff Hoffman had a chance to close the game out, only to surrender a tying home run off a high fastball that somehow got out. However, Giménez played hero once again as his base hit scored Kazuma Okamoto to win the game. Regardless of how the season ended, this was a fantastic start.

9. May 13 Vs. Tampa Bay Rays: Final score 5-3

This game was without a doubt a very slow and tedious affair to start, but was really remembered most for the ending. Dylan Cease did what Dylan Cease did all year long, and that was to shove on the mound for seven innings. While he pitched great, a bloop single in the top of the seventh inning put the team down. The Blue Jays left nine runners on base, but a Sac Fly by Kazuma Okamoto was the tying run.
Fast forward to extra innings, and Jeff Hoffman comes in, allowing two runs off a few base hits. All would seem lost, until the bottom of the 10th. After Yohendrick Piñango popped out to leadoff, two walks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer later, Daulton Varsho hits a walk-off grand slam. Just like we all expected him to. This was a statement win and showed that despite the offensive struggles, the killer instinct to try and win ballgames was still there for them. A walk-off grand slam is awesome no matter what; just ask Steve Pearce, who hit two in 2017.

8.  July 1 Vs. New York Mets: Final score 9-3

Much like opening day, Canada Day is a staple in the baseball calendar. After last year’s Canada Day being the turning point against the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays took on their orange counterpart in the Mets. While Bo Bichette’s first return to the Blue Jays was a possible decision to be put on the list, this game had a lot more action for fans to enjoy.
The pre-game ceremony also saw three former Blue Jays, Marco Estrada, Kevin Pillar, and Justin Smoak, all do the edge walk on the CN Tower, which was a nice plus due to the CN Tower also celebrating 50 years of being open.
The highlight of the game was Sean Keys hitting his first career home run in the big leagues, off Freddy Peralta in the bottom of the third inning, to cap off a 9-3 win. Myles Straw also joined in on the fun with another three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh. With the team going out west and the team relying on the bullpen to get through a lot of games, this win is always great considering the team is only 16-29 on Canadas birthday.

7.  May 29 vs. Baltimore Orioles: Final score 6-5

This team had some exciting games against the Orioles all season. While some of those games ended in disappointment, this one was a comeback for the ages. To set the scene, the team went down 5-0 going into the top of the seventh inning. Austin Voth (remember him?) allowed 5 runs after a good 1.2 innings from Adam Macko. This game screamed blowout all over, until a leadoff single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Kazuma Okamoto hit a two-run home run, and all of a sudden the teams were on the board. After a Varsho double, Charles McAdoo hit another one out of the park for his first career big-league home run, in his first game in the majors. With the team having life and the bullpen holding steady, Guerrero had his time to shine as he lined a double down the left-field line to score two and take the lead.
To score six runs in two innings? That is the Blue Jays team we knew was dormant inside. Braydon Fisher picked up his first save as a reliever, and at this point the Blue Jays reached .500, which was something they were chasing for what later seemed to be the whole season in hindsight.

6. August 30 Vs. Seattle Mariners: Final score 7-0

You ever watch an old western movie? You see that old aging gunslinger who, even though he is banged up and not as fast or strong as he once was, he still can hold his own in a duel? That pretty much summed up this game for Max Scherzer. To say Scherzer’s 2026 was filled with struggles was an understatement, but his second half showed the gunslinging, fire-breathing Mad Max was still kicking.
After an outing where he walked five batters against the Kansas City Royals in his previous start, Scherzer took the mound against the Seattle Mariners, the same Mariners who he proved he was poised to battle in the ALCS. If you Google “Max Scherzer highlights”, you get this absolute masterpiece of just one hit allowed over seven innings with TEN strikeouts. A double to Cal Raleigh was the only hit allowed in the top of the fourth, but that was it.
Offensively, Alejandro Kirk proved just how dangerous his bat is when he’s healthy as he smacked a 2-run home run to open the scoring early. Okamoto also hit one out to continue his record-setting rookie season in Blue Jays history, as well as a Japanese-born player. The game kept getting away from Seattle, as the Blue Jays completed the sweep against the Mariners and suddenly looked like a potential playoff team as they finished August 17-11 and were staring at a wild card spot. While they unfortunately missed the playoffs, this was still a great showcase of a soon-to-be future Hall of Famer.

5. September 13 Vs. Baltimore Orioles: Final score 8-1

If you had told every Blue Jays fan that Guerrero would have had to go almost a full calendar year without hitting a home run at home, you would be called psychotic and evil. Alas, it took until game 150 for Guerrero to accomplish that task.
While 2026 would be a season to forget for Guerrero for several reasons, this game was super important for a team that was looking to squeak into the postseason. Guerrero going 4-for-5 in an important game was a breath of fresh air for a frustrating season from players’ standpoint and fans. The Blue Jays also hit home runs back-to-back-to-back, for the first time in 14 seasons.
Cease, despite running out of gas near the end of the season, managed to punch out nine Orioles batters despite walking five of them. A Springer three-run double in the bottom of the eighth caps off the ballgame, and the team continued to rise through adversity as they looked to push for the playoffs. This was also the final time the team reached the .500 mark this season, which in hindsight is tragic, but that’s baseball.  The true elation from Guerrero as he finally hit a home run on home soil said it all, and the fans surely agreed.

4. June 7 Vs. Baltimore Orioles: Final score: 6-4

Oh look! Baltimore again! Jokes aside, this game was a gritty one and one that was quite fun to spectate. Much like the earlier #7 entry, this is another come-from-behind win against Baltimore. In a phrase many Blue Jays fans may have heard before, Gausman struggles to get any form of run support from his teammates despite battling throughout the start. While Gausman did allow a pair of home runs to Colton Cowser and Taylor Ward, he was dealing, allowing a single hit before the top of the fifth.
The bats came alive with a solo shot by Piñango to lead off the bottom of the sixth. While a weird play between Gunnar Henderson and Ernie Clement led to Clement being safe and a run scoring, the Blue Jays kept chipping away throughout the next few at-bats. An Okamoto single, followed by a Giménez double, and all of a sudden it’s a tied ballgame. Nathan Lukes next up, ends up lining a ball off Yennier Cano to get on, and Giménez with heads-up base running to take the lead 5-4. A Brandon Valenzuela insurance homer in the bottom of the eighth, and you got a great comeback win.

3. August 29 Vs. Seattle Mariners: Final score: 4-3

This game, I argue, was going to be high on this list for a multitude of reasons. The Hall of Excellence opening up at Rogers Centre is by far one of the most amazing feats this season. To honour some of the all-time great contributors to the Blue Jays organization over 50 years was a true treat, and having Buck Martinez kicking it off was a no-brainer. Martinez being honoured is something fans have wanted for years, dating back to when the beloved former catcher and manager turned broadcaster was away for cancer treatments for parts of 2022 and 2025.
With Martinez being honoured, his speech was without a doubt one for the ages. He discussed the importance of family and how baseball brought everyone together, in some cases literally from coast-to-coast. One final “Swing and a Drive!” from Martinez really tugged at the heartstrings, almost made you forget there was a ballgame to be played. That was an awesome result too!
Despite being down 3-0 to the Mariners, the comeback was kicked off due to a bases-loaded walk drawn by George Springer. While one run was a given, a pitch getting past Raleigh led to another run being scored by rookie Brett Bateman. Bateman again came up clutch with a base hit to cash in McAdoo. Kirk had a clutch hit to drive Straw in, and all of a sudden the script is flipped.
This was without a doubt a game that mattered regardless of where you were in the standings. It re-ignited the spark of the potential playoff push; more importantly, this team won for one of their franchise icons, Martinez. Winning for Martinez is, without a doubt, a game we can look back on for the before-and-after results.

2.  March 28 Vs. Athletics: Final score: 8-7

Opening weekend was by far a rollercoaster, and if you thought the game to kick off this list was electric, this game tops it by a wide margin. Cease’s first start as a Blue Jay was dominant as he struck out 12 batters, which was a season high. While the Jays struck first with a Springer RBI double, the struggle came when the bullpen was called upon.  With a 2-1 lead, Brendon Little came into the game and surrendered five runs unanswered, capped off with a Langeliers grand slam to make it 6-2 Athletics. Fans surely were thinking, “not again,” with Little having a tough outing after his postseason, but the comeback of all comebacks was on.
Slowly but surely, inning by inning, they got to work. Bottom seven, Guerrero base hit to right to score Jesús Sánchez: 6-3. Top eight: Sánchez hits one through the infield to score Kirk: 6-4. Giménez, home opener hero, hits another hit to centre field: 6-5. Kirk opposite-field blast, and it’s all knotted up, folks! Louis Varland was slowly winning over Canadians’ hearts with his late-game sturdiness, but he did allow a base hit from Brent Rooker to put the Athletics ahead 7-6. Addison Barger didn’t like how that sounded, so he hit a ball deep to right to score Sánchez on a sacrifice fly.
7-7, and all of a sudden we hear “Shout” by the Isley Brothers. We know that’s Ernie Clements’ music, and he did what he does best, and that’s by making Blue Jays fans happy. Sure, there were many comebacks on the list, but this one was by far the best one, as it helped show fans that the boys in blue were capable of victory even when staring down the barrel of defeat with an 8-7 final.

1. September 27 Vs. Cincinnati Reds: Final score: 5-1

Full disclosure, I left the #1 spot open till the season wrapped up to debate what should be the best game of the season. It may be a hot take, but I think this one deserves the top spot. In Game 162 in 2025, this team clinched the American League East pennant. Did they do that in Game 162? No. They were eliminated mathematically from the playoffs about two days prior. So why give it the #1 spot? Simple: It was the perfect ending possible.
Scherzer, as he did against Seattle, turned the clock back to his Cy Young years, and he dominated through seven innings and 109 pitches. Oh, and he was on short rest too! Striking out seven Reds batters, Scherzer now sits just three strikeouts behind Justin Verlander, who pitched the day before in his retirement start. Oh, and the callback to game three of the ALCS between John Schneider and Scherzer was cinema. Springer also got a single in what could be his final game as a Blue Jay.
Springer and Scherzer both could be playing their final games not just for the Blue Jays, but for their historic careers. The win was a fitting way to pay tribute to both legends, as both got to get the respect they deserved from the best fans in baseball. While it may be an emotional pick, and missing the playoffs after getting so close to a championship stings like crazy, these two legends showed the world just how good it is to play for the Blue Jays. Postgame, both men stated how much they love this fanbase and the city, which is how we, the fans, make an impact on professional athletes’ lives. It was emotional, exciting, painful, and prideful all in nine innings of baseball. The 2026 season will not be remembered as much as others, but it can be remembered as a growing chapter in establishing itself as a baseball country.
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