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Series Recap: Blue Jays eliminated from playoff contention thanks to sweep at the hands of Orioles
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Photo credit: © Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Cynthia Ryley Delaney
Sep 25, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 25, 2026, 18:45 EDT
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That’s a wrap for the season, folks.
The Toronto Blue Jays entered this week with next to impossible odds of making the postseason, but with a pair of losses to the Baltimore Orioles, they earned an “E” next to their name.
On Monday, the Blue Jays jumped out to a 3-0 lead thanks to a trio of runs in the top of the first inning, scored via two RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. The Orioles got a run back in the bottom of the first, scored another run in the bottom of the sixth, then Pete Alonso hit a two-run, go-ahead blast to put the Orioles up 4-3.
Trey Yesavage looked fine in his return, Brendan Cellucci and José Rodríguez continued their great start to their big league careers, and Chad Dallas struck out four. But appearing in a game for a third consecutive game, Tyler Rogers gave up the go-ahead home run.
All of that didn’t matter, as the Blue Jays failed to score a run after a strong first inning. You can look to the top of the third inning as a big reason why they lost, as Kazuma Okamoto grounded into an inning ending double play after the first two runners reached.
Tuesday’s game was postponed, meaning that the Blue Jays and Orioles played a doubleheader on Wednesday. Entering the first game, there was no margin for error for the Jays, needing to win the remaining five games, while either the Cleveland Guardians or Chicago White Sox lost their remaining games. That didn’t happen.
In the first game of the doubleheader, the Jays allowed two runs in the bottom of the second, then two more runs in the top of the sixth. With runners on second and third and two outs, Brandon Valenzuela hit a two RBI single, but those two runs were the only runs the Jays scored in this game. Therefore, their hopes of returning to the World Series and righting the wrongs of November 1st, 2025, came to an end.
With nothing more to play for than pride, the Jays fell 4-2 in the second game of the doubleheader as well. CJ Van Eyk made his first career start, giving up four earned runs over five innings of work. Chase Lee struck out three over an inning and two-thirds scoreless innings. Their two runs came from one swing of the bat, as Davis Schneider hit a two-run home run in the top of the ninth with one out.
The Jays’ final series of the 2026 season begin this weekend, taking on the Cincinnati Reds.
Cynthia Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @CynthiaRDelaney.
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