George Springer kicks off the scoring this afternoon at Rogers Centre! 🎥: Sportsnet | #BlueJays50
Instant Reaction: Kevin Gausman leads Blue Jays to 5-1 victory over Cardinals
Photo credit: © Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Aug 1, 2026, 18:15 EDTUpdated: Aug 1, 2026, 19:46 EDT
Don’t look now, but the Toronto Blue Jays have won three in a row.
Not only did they clinch the series with a 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday afternoon, but they’ve now won four of their last five games. Let’s take a look at what went on in this game!
Kevin Gausman began this game for the Blue Jays in what was quite possibly his final game in a Blue Jays uniform. A two out single was the lone blemish in the top of the first, as was also the case in the second.
Gausman ran into some trouble in the top of the third, giving up a lead-off single which was erased shortly after thanks to a double play. The Cardinals hit two two-out singles but Gausman got out of it again.
That brought the Blue Jays to the plate, where Davis Schneider led off the inning with a walk. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a single to put two on, and George Springer hit a two-out single to give the Jays the lead. Unfortunately, that’s all the Jays got in this inning as Daulton Varsho popped out with the bases loaded to end the inning.
The Jays were right back at it in the bottom of the fourth. Ernie Clement led off the inning with a single, then Myles Straw hit a double to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Luis Urías, the hero of Friday’s game, hit a sacrifice fly for what turned out to be the game-winning run.
Gausman allowed just one run in this game, which came in the top of the sixth in what potentially could be his last inning as a Blue Jay. Iván Herrera led it off with a double, then two batters later, was cashed in thanks to a Masyn Winn double. Gausman got the second out of the inning, but was replaced by Braydon Fisher.
The Blue Jays scored some insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Andrés Giménez and Guerrero Jr. each reach with no outs. With Springer up, the red hot designated hitter cashed in two with his 14th double of the season. Following Springer was Alejandro Kirk, who hit a single to make it 5-1.
George Springer puts the Blue Jays up 3-1! 🎥: Sportsnet | #BlueJays50
Takeaways…
If this is the end of Kevin Gausman’s tenure as a Blue Jay, what a ride it has been. Through four and a half seasons, there is a legitimate argument that signing the starter is one of the best, if not the best, free agent signings in Blue Jays history.
The Jays could’ve held the righty out of this game to protect his trade value and health, but instead, Gausman received the standing ovation that he deserves. If the Blue Jays do end up selling, it’ll be sad to see him traded.
Kevin Gausman gets a standing ovation from the crowd as he walks off the field for what might be his last time as a Blue Jay. 🎥: Sportsnet | #BlueJays50
Gausman went five and two-thirds innings, giving up nine hits but allowing just one run, all while striking out four. Braydon Fisher was the first out of the bullpen, getting the final out that allowed Gausman to get the win.
Mason Fluharty also had to come in mid-inning, walking the first batter he saw to put two on, but forcing a ground out. The eighth inning belonged to Jeff Hoffman, who struck out one in a scoreless inning with some traffic. Tyler Rogers got the final three outs of the game.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a solid game, going 2-5 with two singles. While you’d love for more power, he’s starting to string together some multi-hit games. George Springer has been their hottest hitter since the start of July, and he went 2-4 with two RBIs. Alejandro Kirk has also been great since the start of July, and he went 1-2 with RBIs and two walks.
All but two players in the starting lineup, Kazuma Okamoto and Davis Schneider, notched a hit in this game. The Jays also went 3-11 with runners in scoring position, not fantastic, but better than what they’ve been doing all season.
We’re less than 48 hours away from Monday’s trade deadline, and this team will look a whole lot different. While it’s been speculated that the Jays will sell, they haven’t made their decision public, and this three game win streak is encouraging. Maybe, just maybe, this team can go for a bit of a run.
Up next is another game against the Cardinals on Sunday, which has a 1:37 PM ET start time. Another pitcher who could be on the move, Max Scherzer, is set to get the start.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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