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Do the Blue Jays need to worry about a World Baseball Classic hangover?
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Photo credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Ben Wrixon
Mar 23, 2026, 07:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 22, 2026, 15:57 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays were well-represented at this year’s World Baseball Classic, from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suiting up for the Dominican Republic to Andrés Giménez playing for Venezuela’s championship squad. 
The WBC is, of course, a fantastic opportunity for players to represent their countries on a global stage. It’s also a chance for those who participate to play meaningful baseball in March as opposed to non-competitive spring training games. They get intensity on par with the MLB playoffs before the regular season even starts—but is that a good thing? 
Imagine yourself in Guerrero’s shoes. You finished last season with the Blue Jays playing the most intense baseball of your life during the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, after a few months off, you tapped back into that intensity while playing for the Dominican Republic. Now the WBC is over, and you’re gearing up to face… the lowly Athletics and Colorado Rockies to start the regular season. 
Baseball is all about momentum, and Guerrero is one of several Blue Jays riding this rollercoaster. While Opening Day is sure to be emotional and exciting, the games after that may feel like exhibitions compared to what they’ve experienced over the last six months. There will be an adjustment period that could make it tough to lock in. 
This emotional hangover might be even more pronounced for someone like Ernie Clement, who joined Team USA for the WBC in a reserve role. He was sitting on the bench for a few weeks while most of his teammates were getting valuable spring training at-bats. He absolutely should have participated, but there’s a legitimate reason to wonder how it might affect his ability to start hot at the plate. He’s probably going to be a bit rusty compared to his peers. 
What’s important to remember is that the Blue Jays are professionals. The WBC changed their usual routines, but this group knows how to prepare for an MLB season. They also have plenty of motivation with their World Series defeat still quite fresh in their minds. This group showed everyone last year that they care too much to fly on autopilot. 
Don’t be surprised if it takes a few games for the Blue Jays to get rolling, though. Don’t press the panic button if they drop the opening series against the Athletics. Between the WBC disruption and a shortened offseason, this group may not come out the gate blazing hot—and that’s okay. The World Series isn’t won in April. They’ll end up where they are supposed to be.

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