Toronto’s series-clinching win over Chicago kept the Blue Jays rolling as they edged the Cubs 2-1, with Max Scherzer delivering seven solid innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. delivering a late-game power moment that highlighted Toronto’s ongoing offensive surge.
Guerrero Jr. is heating up in a big way. After a rough spell of one homer in 16 games, he’s gone on a tear, slugging seven homers in 20 games and posting an eye-popping .367 average with an 1.100-plus OPS in that stretch. Thursday’s two-run homer to left on a curveball on the edge of the plate underscored his late-season turn, a form that mirrors his strong second half of 2024 when he hit .376 with a 1.127 OPS after the All-Star break. In a pennant race, Guerrero’s elevated production carries extra significance for Toronto as they push for position in the standings.
A looming roster decision adds to the drama. George Springer is nearing a return from concussion protocol after a rehab stint with Buffalo, with a Friday return possible. That creates a difficult personnel choice for Toronto, which has options like Joey Loperfido and Davis Schneider producing at high levels, along with veterans such as Myles Straw and Ty France. Both Straw and France are contributing in different ways, and the Jays may be forced to weigh upside against roster continuity as they trim to a 28-man bullpen and bench. Toronto’s manager noted that some decisions will naturally take care of themselves as Springer’s availability expands the options.
The decision tree is complicated by the team’s current strength and a stubborn area to fix. The Jays entered Thursday with a home-run problem that has persisted despite solid overall pitching. Scherzer’s one blemish—a curveball deposited in the right-field bleachers by Michael Busch in the sixth— supplied Chicago’s lone run, but Guerrero’s blast in the eighth erased the deficit. Toronto’s pitchers rank well in strikeouts and limiting walks, and they’re holding opponents to a manageable number of hits, yet the team remains among the league leaders in homers allowed since the trade deadline. The staff has experimented with sequencing and glove placement to steer pitches toward the edges of the zone, but the underlying issue appears to be missing down the middle—an adjustment the skipper indicated is crucial as the staff tries to regain an edge.
Beyond the big league roster, Toronto is looking at the future. Trey Yesavage is among the prospects generating buzz for a September arrival, with his fastball velocity and delivery drawing comparisons to other late-season callups who contributed immediately. Yesavage’s first Triple-A start was short but showed the kind of raw upside the Jays are hoping to harness this season and into 2026. The organization will weigh whether to promote him for a potential playoff-impact role or continue his development, especially with an already crowded bullpen and rotation mix.
Seasonal context and outlook. The Jays are atop the American League East by five games after the series win, with a strong, if imperfect, overall performance that blends a deep lineup and a resilient pitching staff. Guerrero’s resurgence is a bright spot that could anchor Toronto down the stretch, while Springer’s health and the roaster’s ongoing decision-making will shape the team’s depth in crucial late-season games. As Toronto prepares for a run through a string of right-handed starters, the club will count on continued contributions from veteran arms and the emergence of potential contributors from the farm as they push toward a pennant chase.
What to watch next. Springer’s return will test the balance of playing time and roster spots, particularly if Schneider or Loperfido maintain their hot hitting. The pitching staff will try to further tighten command and reduce the instances of middle-middle mistakes, a recurring theme with the staff’s current style. And Yesavage’s progression could offer an at-hand option to bolster the bullpen or the late-inning mix if the Jays need an extra spark down the stretch.
Commentary and takeaway. The Jays’ depth and Guerrero’s late-season surge give them cautious optimism as they navigate roster logistics and a tight schedule. If they can keep the home run issue in check while leveraging their strong strikeout profile, Toronto has a solid path toward maintaining momentum into the postseason. The combination of veteran leadership, still-developing top prospects, and a lineup capable of carrying the offense even on off-nights should keep the Jays competitive as they chase continued success in a pivotal stretch.