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Jays’ struggles with runners in scoring position continue in series loss to Yankees
Toronto's weekend series loss in the Bronx was defined by persistent struggles with runners in scoring position, dropping them further from wild-card contention despite strong pitching in two of three games.
The Toronto Blue Jays' push for a wild-card spot hit a speedbump this weekend as the New York Yankees handed them their first full-series loss since before the trade deadline.
The Jays lost a tight one to Cy Young front-runner Cam Schlittler Friday night and bounced back with a 4-3 win Saturday, setting them up with a chance to win their eighth straight series. But a rough sixth inning led to three runs for the Yankees on Sunday, and the Jays were unable to dig out of that hole, sending them to an 8-3 loss that dropped them to four games below .500 and a game and a half out of the final American League wild-card spot.
Offensive struggles at the worst time
A three-run sixth and a two-run shot by Jazz Chisholm an inning later were the big blows, but the Jays' inability to hit with runners in scoring position was on display all weekend and wasn't any better on Sunday. Toronto was a combined 6-for-41 in those situations, going 2-for-23 in their two losses and 4-for-18 in their win. On the season, the Jays are last in MLB in OPS with RISP at .682, sixth-worst in batting average at .239, and fourth-worst in slugging at .375.
"You've got to zone into a spot where you can drive the ball a bit more consistently," manager John Schneider said via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. "It's not like they're throwing 80 per cent breaking balls or fastballs in certain counts. I think you've just got to be a little more patient."
Pitching can't do it all
Toronto's pitching staff held the Yankees to just six runs over the first two games, but Sunday's 8-3 loss highlighted the thin margin for error. The team's offensive inconsistency has been a season-long storyline, with the Blue Jays tied with the Rangers for the second-fewest runs scored in baseball (521) and holding a minus-55 run differential, the worst among wild-card contenders except Seattle. Beyond RISP, the team ranks third-last in home runs (124) and slugging percentage (.380).
Silver linings and the road ahead
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came off the injured list this weekend and went 3-for-12 in the three games. The Blue Jays, who have won eight of 13 games against division opponents, now return home to face the Royals and Mariners. With a week series against the Yankees starting Friday, they'll need to turn the page quickly if they hope to make up ground in the standings.
How each outlet told it
Sports Illustrated
Framing: Emphasizes the thin margin of error, not just the roster composition but the context of the series — Analytical and concerned, highlighting 'so much about how they lost'
Facts Included:
Series was against Yankees in Bronx; Jays lost series 1-2
Jays had won previous series vs Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays
Loss snapped streak of series wins vs AL East
Jays were 6-for-41 with RISP in the series
Were 2-for-23 in two losses and 4-for-18 in the win
Manager John Schneider quote via Keegan Matheson
Struggles have been season-long
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came off injured list and went 3-for-12
Pitching staff allowed only six runs in first two games, 8-4 in Sunday's loss
Jays won 8 out of 13 games against division opponents
Jays return home to face Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners
Framing: Emphasizes the Jays' ongoing RISP failures as the key storyline; leaves out the specific pitcher names in the headline — analytical with a hint of frustration, evidenced by 'futility'
Facts Included:
Jays lost series to Yankees, first full-series loss since before trade deadline
Friday loss to Cy Young front-runner Cam Schlittler, Saturday 4-3 win, Sunday 8-3 loss
Jays dropped to four games below .500 and 1.5 games out of wild card
Yankees' three-run sixth and Jazz Chisholm's two-run shot
Jays were 6-for-41 with RISP in series, 1-for-9 Sunday
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe Toronto Blue Jays lost a weekend series against the New York Yankees, their first full-series loss since before the trade deadline.
ClaimManager John Schneider said, 'You've got to zone into a spot where you can drive the ball a bit more consistently. It's not like they're throwing 80 per cent breaking balls or fastballs in certain counts. I think you've just got to be a little more patient.'