<p data-start="307" data-end="389">August isn’t over yet, but the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays’</a> bullpen already wishes it was.</p>
<p data-start="391" data-end="722">It has been a rough month for Toronto’s relievers, with the group struggling in nearly every key statistical category while giving away a handful of winnable games. If the Blue Jays want to secure a coveted Division Series bye and make noise in the postseason, their highest-leverage arms will need to turn things around quickly.</p>
<p data-start="724" data-end="937">After starting the year strong and carrying a respectable 3.94 bullpen ERA through the first four months of the season, Toronto relievers have posted a 4.50 ERA in August. The underlying numbers look even worse.</p>
<p data-start="939" data-end="1180">Their 4.62 FIP is higher than their ERA, and their walk rate has spiked to an MLB-high 14.9%. That figure isn’t just the worst in the majors this month—it’s tied for the highest bullpen walk rate over a single month in the last nine years. The Blue Jays ranked second in MLB with a 16.8% strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) before August, but that number has collapsed to just 8.1% this month—29th in baseball.</p>
<p data-start="1356" data-end="1554">K-BB% is one of the most important evaluation tools for relievers, since it focuses on what pitchers can fully control (strikeouts and walks) without being skewed by ballpark or defensive factors.</p>
<p data-start="1556" data-end="1820">After being one of the best bullpens in baseball for most of the season, Toronto’s relief corps was exposed during a late-game implosion against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Here’s a look at three key relievers who must rediscover their form down the stretch.</p>
<hr data-start="1822" data-end="1825" />
<h2 data-start="1827" data-end="1844">Jeff Hoffman</h2>
<p data-start="1846" data-end="1926">Any conversation about the Blue Jays’ bullpen starts with closer Jeff Hoffman.</p>
<p data-start="1928" data-end="2089">After battling inconsistency earlier this year—leaving him with a 4.76 ERA, four blown saves, and a home run problem—August has only magnified those struggles.</p>
<p data-start="2091" data-end="2262">Back-to-back meltdowns against the Marlins and Twins added three more blown saves, leaving him with nearly as many blown saves (three) as actual saves (four) this month.</p>
<p data-start="2264" data-end="2567">Hoffman’s walk rate has ballooned from 6% over the first four months to 18.6% in August. His strikeout rate dipped slightly from 33.9% to 27.9%, which is still above average, but his K-BB% cratered from a top-10 27.9% to just 9.3% this month. A five-walk outing against the Dodgers was a new lowlight.</p>
<p data-start="2569" data-end="2848"><a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-jeff-hoffman-toronto-blue-jays-bullpen-blow-late-game-lead-minnesota-twins">Home runs</a> have also been a major concern. Hoffman has now surrendered 12 long balls, the third-most among qualified relievers behind only Chad Green and Jackson Rutledge. His 1.98 HR/9 rate ranks among the worst in MLB, while his 13.7% barrel rate sits in the first percentile.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">It would be one thing if there was an obvious choice to replace Jeff Hoffman as Blue Jays closer, but no other Blue Jays reliever is a clear candidate. These are all their numbers in the second half (Yariel Rodriguez, big yikes). <a href="https://t.co/XkfOjv8zgh">pic.twitter.com/XkfOjv8zgh</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJayHunter/status/1960533997877940495?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 27, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p data-start="2850" data-end="3089">Despite these results, the stuff is still there. Both his four-seam fastball and sinker grade out as above-average by velocity and movement, yet hitters are slugging .588 and .615 off them this season after slugging under .350 last year.</p>
<p data-start="3091" data-end="3359">One difference? His pitch mix. During his two best MLB seasons, Hoffman leaned heavily on his slider (40–48% usage) while using his fastball sparingly (27–36%). This year, that balance has flipped, with fastball usage rising to 40% while sliders have dropped to 29%.</p>
<p data-start="3361" data-end="3528">While some bad luck is in play (21.1% HR/FB rate), Hoffman will need to adjust—either by relying more on the slider or tightening fastball command—to regain control.</p>
<p data-start="3361" data-end="3528"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://attachment.outlook.live.net/owa/MSA%3Atyson_mlb%40hotmail.com/service.svc/s/GetAttachmentThumbnail?id=AAkALgAAAAAAHYQDEapmEc2byACqAC%2FEWg0AK6GybUoXKUuhGlTITWNx6wACp5rXZwAAARIAEAAkW3LSH9niRZYoIRb23zLm&amp;thumbnailType=2&amp;isc=1&amp;token=eyJhbGciOiJSUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCIsImtpZCI6InQvaGIzVXNrR3dNMUEzNmpMdFRqVGRiSzd5VT0iLCJ4NXQiOiJ0L2hiM1Vza0d3TTFBMzZqTHRUalRkYks3eVU9Iiwibm9uY2UiOiJaZnVDSzFxVzV4UHQ3b3BhNVVaMVVRTXNkU0FqRGU0ZTF0TFhZR1VDWkxIaW1sQ0h2WUtJVk80SlM0SktGU3FEMGRJdHk1dnpidHc1U25MRUNYTWg5ekhUcmEyT1Fqc1Q0U2g1cVU2SnhBVkNmaU1fU2VNSzQwd1RIVGFIM1B1b2ZTcnJKUEdIbjUxUjlDaTF5X2NOa1BYcnR4aUE3SXc5UkVCYUdHSFFhSDAiLCJpc3Nsb2MiOiJETTZQUjE0TUIzNzI1Iiwic3JzbiI6NjM4OTE5MzU5OTI2NjUwMDc0fQ.eyJzYXAtdmVyc2lvbiI6IjMzIiwiYXBwaWQiOiJhZjNlYmJiYS1jMjNmLTQ5MmEtYWE5My04MzQyMTY5NmVjNGIiLCJpc3NyaW5nIjoiV1ciLCJhcHBpZGFjciI6IjIiLCJhcHBfZGlzcGxheW5hbWUiOiIiLCJ1dGkiOiJkMTQxZjM0NS1mNjBjLTQwNzctOGFlOS0wZWIwOGI3ZDFmNjkiLCJpYXQiOjE3NTY0MTMwMTIsInZlciI6IlNUSS5Vc2VyLkNhbGxiYWNrVG9rZW4uVjEiLCJ0aWQiOiI4NGRmOWU3ZmU5ZjY0MGFmYjQzNWFhYWFhYWFhYWFhYSIsInRydXN0ZWRmb3JkZWxlZ2F0aW9uIjoiZmFsc2UiLCJ0b3BvbG9neSI6IntcIlR5cGVcIjpcIk1hY2hpbmVcIixcIlZhbHVlXCI6XCJETTZQUjE0TUIzNzI1Lm5hbXByZDE0LnByb2Qub3V0bG9vay5jb21cIn0iLCJyZXF1ZXN0b3JfYXBwaWQiOiIxNTdjZGZiZi03Mzk4LTRhNTYtOTZjMy1lOTNlOWFiMzA5YjUiLCJyZXF1ZXN0b3JfYXBwX2Rpc3BsYXluYW1lIjoiT2ZmaWNlIDM2NSBFeGNoYW5nZSBNaWNyb3NlcnZpY2UiLCJzY3AiOiJPd2FBdHRhY2htZW50cy5SZWFkIiwib2lkIjoiMDAwNjQwMDAtMTUyNi1iZTFkLTAwMDAtMDAwMDAwMDAwMDAwIiwicHVpZCI6IjAwMDY0MDAwMTUyNkJFMUQiLCJzbXRwIjoidHlzb25fbWxiQGhvdG1haWwuY29tIiwidXBuIjoidHlzb25fbWxiQGhvdG1haWwuY29tIiwidXNlcmNhbGxiYWNrdXNlcmNvbnRleHRpZCI6IjZmZjhjMDJmZTc4YjQyY2E5MDJkMjQ4MDg3MmY3NjgyIiwiZXBrIjoie1wia3R5XCI6XCJSU0FcIixcIm5cIjpcInVkMHFVNnA3VDVoWFBXakp2eHBseldmbWZLbjVxVERMX3hZTkV1cWxBTlI5WjNTTHQwMUZEcnV4QzlrbEhaTUxuT0dKWnVSTW8tMkRQbWJZWlByZlU5LUFSN2lFSnR0ZGFBczVDSGgtalhxNWx1eFhUSzJJeEYwd09wQTVkWDByckc2RF9qZ2pFSFVJSl9jYVZKSHczMmFnU3JvZHdIQVdmZEY0a3hqdWlQejRiM0FuOTlmTk5ZaTZNcVcwM1NqbVRkVG5EQ1A4aHlxY0J4U1R2ZGI2MzAwN1FaSllRam5SNUV3QzVsR25obXRpNnVfZkdKYzBzYjNKUnRVZ2Vkc3YzWm1EcWF5a1hWaUJJOFYzOFFOZlQzbmIyX1Y4b2d6RVB1cUwtbU9iaVRfdEpZNkZDZVNXX1JlNHJUWHJqY0VqMFkyUUh5cWZzLWZGN04zczJmRGRrUVwiLFwiZVwiOlwiQVFBQlwiLFwiYWxnXCI6XCJSUzI1NlwiLFwiZXhwXCI6XCIxNzU2NTAyMjk1XCIsXCJleHBfZGlmZlwiOlwiODY0MDBcIixcImtpZFwiOlwiel9rRkF2M1haRWhDX3FmVVhmbm5Nckl1R1BzXCJ9LlRyNjNlYTlTWHJxeGlxMGF3enhhSFNwWVNVNnVVRXRFdVVTQ3B6VkdJcWVLMGhZMUt6UUw4QjNwZTlXVzBCZ1E3aFJqcU9UMTRXRjhUYlIvQU5MSVQyWXpwRGJnWTdoa1h0VVBvUWN5SXZCWFZNKzd0TjlpWVIwUzU2RVFtR0d2anU3cUw4QTkwTEpQUDZJOVZaM0RFdUlLWTVUa2tnL1VxUEk3WVBIZWkrSnp2ZVdpK085WkN6N25SSHRaTU9EcnUyNyt1bXYvMnZHZzZEOWF6alVCeThFQUZyUzM5S3FiRUxhd0MwR0I4NkZTUzY5Yy9OUDNQY015dm9QaGJjL2NLbzhtTXZpTk5HOWwybUtyeHhjWExuTC92elpTQzk2WUM3NFRRaGlqNER5QnJ6cUlTM0hQU3R2bno4anlaWktZcU5mUUdYKzkzQ2xlcTV1Sm9TL0hkQT09IiwibmJmIjoxNzU2NDEzMDEyLCJleHAiOjE3NTY0MTMzMTIsImlzcyI6Imh0dHBzOi8vc3Vic3RyYXRlLm9mZmljZS5jb20vc3RzLyIsImF1ZCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vb3V0bG9vay5vZmZpY2UuY29tIiwic3NlYyI6IkU3VEZaMVpOOUQvZThrc0wiLCJlc3NlYyI6ImFydGlmYWN0LWF1dG8tcHJvZHxNMzY1MjAyNS0wNy0yNFQwOTo0NDo1OC4wNDYwOTg0WnxWYXZBcERjclhqSDEyKyJ9.lusW3gljHTLqZ0FExVvALA5cdknYjdtVXvsq2JoHCI6dSeI37cEud10ASz4C3orKV5-vy738RWt0qSL7jQcqEjLA2GX-y-_nDj7C32eEScaXIg6vIPtqHHOHAdFfXmonwUq43uRYCZYakEDif1uSI7KMZ_2eQoiaZCflB0IJp7B87utL2fT0X0iuKkTKGYSqhrtTPVIkeVvV100GEN24FNgDROSKH-Nms_004kUqdLj4rMMQqMlJCTorC-YUAISnmkQGMO_P8BGT4PZRAjP1CE3sYuXxp5xPVafWJxrVE1oLfQKJ0U7Aj8YRLTTHcEG6BNTcnJslStrQkt7ZyAQ3xw&amp;X-OWA-CANARY=KuLqCerNyHgAAAAAAAAAAPBda995490YhxWcC-c2ihuBvRQuGE8nowsB1wsA0F-scXDVwoItVgw.&amp;owa=outlook.live.com&amp;scriptVer=20250822005.09&amp;clientId=25A62D49F9F64052AF99D9D449ABD46F&amp;animation=true" alt="Image preview" width="817" height="590" /></p>
<hr data-start="3530" data-end="3533" />
<h2 data-start="3535" data-end="3554">Brendon Little</h2>
<p data-start="3556" data-end="3764">While Brendon Little’s struggles haven’t been as extreme as others, his success is critical. As Toronto’s top left-hander, he’ll be leaned on heavily against lefty-heavy lineups like the Tigers and Red Sox.</p>
<p data-start="3766" data-end="4011">The issue is that Little’s command problems extend beyond just August. Walk rates have been high all year, which was manageable because of his massive strikeout numbers, largely fueled by a devastating knuckle curve (124 Stuff+, +8 run value).</p>
<p data-start="4013" data-end="4103">But his control has worsened each month, and this month his strikeouts fell off a cliff:</p>
<div class="_tableContainer_1rjym_1">
<div class="_tableWrapper_1rjym_13 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1">
<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="4105" data-end="4366">
<thead data-start="4105" data-end="4136">
<tr data-start="4105" data-end="4136">
<th data-start="4105" data-end="4113" data-col-size="sm">Month</th>
<th data-start="4113" data-end="4119" data-col-size="sm">K%</th>
<th data-start="4119" data-end="4125" data-col-size="sm">BB%</th>
<th data-start="4125" data-end="4136" data-col-size="sm">K-BB%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="4169" data-end="4366">
<tr data-start="4169" data-end="4207">
<td data-start="4169" data-end="4183" data-col-size="sm">March/April</td>
<td data-start="4183" data-end="4190" data-col-size="sm">37.5</td>
<td data-start="4190" data-end="4197" data-col-size="sm">10.7</td>
<td data-start="4197" data-end="4207" data-col-size="sm">26.8</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4208" data-end="4247">
<td data-start="4208" data-end="4223" data-col-size="sm">May</td>
<td data-start="4223" data-end="4230" data-col-size="sm">30.8</td>
<td data-start="4230" data-end="4237" data-col-size="sm">13.5</td>
<td data-start="4237" data-end="4247" data-col-size="sm">17.3</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4248" data-end="4287">
<td data-start="4248" data-end="4263" data-col-size="sm">June</td>
<td data-start="4263" data-end="4270" data-col-size="sm">33.3</td>
<td data-start="4270" data-end="4277" data-col-size="sm">17.6</td>
<td data-start="4277" data-end="4287" data-col-size="sm">15.7</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4288" data-end="4327">
<td data-start="4288" data-end="4303" data-col-size="sm">July</td>
<td data-start="4303" data-end="4310" data-col-size="sm">38.3</td>
<td data-start="4310" data-end="4317" data-col-size="sm">17.0</td>
<td data-start="4317" data-end="4327" data-col-size="sm">21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4328" data-end="4366">
<td data-start="4328" data-end="4343" data-col-size="sm">August</td>
<td data-start="4343" data-end="4350" data-col-size="sm">19.0</td>
<td data-start="4350" data-end="4357" data-col-size="sm">19.0</td>
<td data-start="4357" data-end="4366" data-col-size="sm">0.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p data-start="4368" data-end="4540">Hitters are laying off more curves below the zone, which has led to both fewer strikeouts and more walks. While he still gets whiffs, the balance has shifted against him.</p>
<p data-start="4542" data-end="4761">To counter, Little has started mixing in more sinkers low in the zone. A similar approach to Kevin Gausman—who gets called strikes with his fastball low to complement his splitter—could help restore his effectiveness.</p>
<hr data-start="4763" data-end="4766" />
<h2 data-start="4768" data-end="4786">Louis Varland</h2>
<p data-start="4788" data-end="5054">Toronto’s big bullpen acquisition at the trade deadline,<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/weighing-pros-cons-louis-varland-starting-toronto-blue-jays-2026"> Louis Varland</a> came out of the gate strong. He allowed just one run over his first six outings with eight strikeouts, even flashing a 100.3 mph fastball—the hardest thrown by a Blue Jays reliever this season.</p>
<p data-start="5056" data-end="5175">But since then, he has allowed at least one run in five straight appearances, giving up six runs in just 3.1 innings.</p>
<p data-start="5177" data-end="5379">It’s a small sample, but the problem is clear: his breaking stuff. All five extra-base hits he’s allowed have come against his slider and knuckle curve, most of which were left hanging over the plate.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Louis Varland wanted a Canadian walk-up song to honour his new team. He picked <a href="https://twitter.com/threedaysgrace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@threedaysgrace</a>&#39;s Animal I Have Become.</p>
<p>Fitting 🔥🇨🇦 <a href="https://t.co/uWILTqqkbs">pic.twitter.com/uWILTqqkbs</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1955443978477686833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p data-start="5381" data-end="5744">While his fastballs and knuckle curve grade out well above average by Stuff+, his slider rates poorly. For now, Varland would be better off shelving the slider and leaning on his more effective pitches. A mechanical tweak to finish the knuckle curve more consistently should also help. And of course, mixing in that triple-digit heater more often wouldn’t hurt.</p>
<p data-start="5746" data-end="5917">Varland’s struggles are concerning but not alarming. His overall track record and peripherals are still strong, making this more of an adjustment period than a red flag.</p>
<hr />
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<p data-start="307" data-end="389">August isn’t over yet, but the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays’</a> bullpen already wishes it was.</p>
<p data-start="391" data-end="722">It has been a rough month for Toronto’s relievers, with the group struggling in nearly every key statistical category while giving away a handful of winnable games. If the Blue Jays want to secure a coveted Division Series bye and make noise in the postseason, their highest-leverage arms will need to turn things around quickly.</p>
<p data-start="724" data-end="937">After starting the year strong and carrying a respectable 3.94 bullpen ERA through the first four months of the season, Toronto relievers have posted a 4.50 ERA in August. The underlying numbers look even worse.</p>
<p data-start="939" data-end="1180">Their 4.62 FIP is higher than their ERA, and their walk rate has spiked to an MLB-high 14.9%. That figure isn’t just the worst in the majors this month—it’s tied for the highest bullpen walk rate over a single month in the last nine years. The Blue Jays ranked second in MLB with a 16.8% strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%) before August, but that number has collapsed to just 8.1% this month—29th in baseball.</p>
<p data-start="1356" data-end="1554">K-BB% is one of the most important evaluation tools for relievers, since it focuses on what pitchers can fully control (strikeouts and walks) without being skewed by ballpark or defensive factors.</p>
<p data-start="1556" data-end="1820">After being one of the best bullpens in baseball for most of the season, Toronto’s relief corps was exposed during a late-game implosion against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Here’s a look at three key relievers who must rediscover their form down the stretch.</p>


<hr data-start="1822" data-end="1825" />

<h2 data-start="1827" data-end="1844">Jeff Hoffman</h2>
<p data-start="1846" data-end="1926">Any conversation about the Blue Jays’ bullpen starts with closer Jeff Hoffman.</p>
<p data-start="1928" data-end="2089">After battling inconsistency earlier this year—leaving him with a 4.76 ERA, four blown saves, and a home run problem—August has only magnified those struggles.</p>
<p data-start="2091" data-end="2262">Back-to-back meltdowns against the Marlins and Twins added three more blown saves, leaving him with nearly as many blown saves (three) as actual saves (four) this month.</p>
<p data-start="2264" data-end="2567">Hoffman’s walk rate has ballooned from 6% over the first four months to 18.6% in August. His strikeout rate dipped slightly from 33.9% to 27.9%, which is still above average, but his K-BB% cratered from a top-10 27.9% to just 9.3% this month. A five-walk outing against the Dodgers was a new lowlight.</p>
<p data-start="2569" data-end="2848"><a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-jeff-hoffman-toronto-blue-jays-bullpen-blow-late-game-lead-minnesota-twins">Home runs</a> have also been a major concern. Hoffman has now surrendered 12 long balls, the third-most among qualified relievers behind only Chad Green and Jackson Rutledge. His 1.98 HR/9 rate ranks among the worst in MLB, while his 13.7% barrel rate sits in the first percentile.</p>
https://twitter.com/BlueJayHunter/status/1960533997877940495
<p data-start="2850" data-end="3089">Despite these results, the stuff is still there. Both his four-seam fastball and sinker grade out as above-average by velocity and movement, yet hitters are slugging .588 and .615 off them this season after slugging under .350 last year.</p>
<p data-start="3091" data-end="3359">One difference? His pitch mix. During his two best MLB seasons, Hoffman leaned heavily on his slider (40–48% usage) while using his fastball sparingly (27–36%). This year, that balance has flipped, with fastball usage rising to 40% while sliders have dropped to 29%.</p>
<p data-start="3361" data-end="3528">While some bad luck is in play (21.1% HR/FB rate), Hoffman will need to adjust—either by relying more on the slider or tightening fastball command—to regain control.</p>
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<hr data-start="3530" data-end="3533" />

<h2 data-start="3535" data-end="3554">Brendon Little</h2>
<p data-start="3556" data-end="3764">While Brendon Little’s struggles haven’t been as extreme as others, his success is critical. As Toronto’s top left-hander, he’ll be leaned on heavily against lefty-heavy lineups like the Tigers and Red Sox.</p>
<p data-start="3766" data-end="4011">The issue is that Little’s command problems extend beyond just August. Walk rates have been high all year, which was manageable because of his massive strikeout numbers, largely fueled by a devastating knuckle curve (124 Stuff+, +8 run value).</p>
<p data-start="4013" data-end="4103">But his control has worsened each month, and this month his strikeouts fell off a cliff:</p>

<div class="_tableContainer_1rjym_1">
<div class="_tableWrapper_1rjym_13 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse" tabindex="-1">
<table class="w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)" data-start="4105" data-end="4366">
<thead data-start="4105" data-end="4136">
<tr data-start="4105" data-end="4136">
<th data-start="4105" data-end="4113" data-col-size="sm">Month</th>
<th data-start="4113" data-end="4119" data-col-size="sm">K%</th>
<th data-start="4119" data-end="4125" data-col-size="sm">BB%</th>
<th data-start="4125" data-end="4136" data-col-size="sm">K-BB%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="4169" data-end="4366">
<tr data-start="4169" data-end="4207">
<td data-start="4169" data-end="4183" data-col-size="sm">March/April</td>
<td data-start="4183" data-end="4190" data-col-size="sm">37.5</td>
<td data-start="4190" data-end="4197" data-col-size="sm">10.7</td>
<td data-start="4197" data-end="4207" data-col-size="sm">26.8</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4208" data-end="4247">
<td data-start="4208" data-end="4223" data-col-size="sm">May</td>
<td data-start="4223" data-end="4230" data-col-size="sm">30.8</td>
<td data-start="4230" data-end="4237" data-col-size="sm">13.5</td>
<td data-start="4237" data-end="4247" data-col-size="sm">17.3</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4248" data-end="4287">
<td data-start="4248" data-end="4263" data-col-size="sm">June</td>
<td data-start="4263" data-end="4270" data-col-size="sm">33.3</td>
<td data-start="4270" data-end="4277" data-col-size="sm">17.6</td>
<td data-start="4277" data-end="4287" data-col-size="sm">15.7</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4288" data-end="4327">
<td data-start="4288" data-end="4303" data-col-size="sm">July</td>
<td data-start="4303" data-end="4310" data-col-size="sm">38.3</td>
<td data-start="4310" data-end="4317" data-col-size="sm">17.0</td>
<td data-start="4317" data-end="4327" data-col-size="sm">21.3</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4328" data-end="4366">
<td data-start="4328" data-end="4343" data-col-size="sm">August</td>
<td data-start="4343" data-end="4350" data-col-size="sm">19.0</td>
<td data-start="4350" data-end="4357" data-col-size="sm">19.0</td>
<td data-start="4357" data-end="4366" data-col-size="sm">0.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p data-start="4368" data-end="4540">Hitters are laying off more curves below the zone, which has led to both fewer strikeouts and more walks. While he still gets whiffs, the balance has shifted against him.</p>
<p data-start="4542" data-end="4761">To counter, Little has started mixing in more sinkers low in the zone. A similar approach to Kevin Gausman—who gets called strikes with his fastball low to complement his splitter—could help restore his effectiveness.</p>


<hr data-start="4763" data-end="4766" />

<h2 data-start="4768" data-end="4786">Louis Varland</h2>
<p data-start="4788" data-end="5054">Toronto’s big bullpen acquisition at the trade deadline,<a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/weighing-pros-cons-louis-varland-starting-toronto-blue-jays-2026"> Louis Varland</a> came out of the gate strong. He allowed just one run over his first six outings with eight strikeouts, even flashing a 100.3 mph fastball—the hardest thrown by a Blue Jays reliever this season.</p>
<p data-start="5056" data-end="5175">But since then, he has allowed at least one run in five straight appearances, giving up six runs in just 3.1 innings.</p>
<p data-start="5177" data-end="5379">It’s a small sample, but the problem is clear: his breaking stuff. All five extra-base hits he’s allowed have come against his slider and knuckle curve, most of which were left hanging over the plate.</p>
https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1955443978477686833
<p data-start="5381" data-end="5744">While his fastballs and knuckle curve grade out well above average by Stuff+, his slider rates poorly. For now, Varland would be better off shelving the slider and leaning on his more effective pitches. A mechanical tweak to finish the knuckle curve more consistently should also help. And of course, mixing in that triple-digit heater more often wouldn’t hurt.</p>
<p data-start="5746" data-end="5917">Varland’s struggles are concerning but not alarming. His overall track record and peripherals are still strong, making this more of an adjustment period than a red flag.</p>


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