Blue Jays sense urgency as 'make-or-break' second half lies ahead

SAN DIEGO -- Everybody can exhale now, at least for a few days. The Blue Jays, stuck all season hovering just below .500, enter the All-Star break in the exact same spot.

While the past few days had some bursts of optimism, they head into the break off a pair of losses to the Padres, the final one 5-4 on Sunday.

Now 45-51, the Blue Jays are stuck on the outside edge of a crowded and tangled AL Wild Card race.

“This is not where we want to be, obviously,” manager John Schneider said. “We’ve been trending in the right direction offensively the last two weeks, minus the Seattle series. We definitely have to be better in some areas -- on the mound, at the plate, whatever it is. There are little things we have to be better at and we’re looking for more consistency from regular guys up and down the lineup.”

Any definition of “early” has long expired, and with 66 games to go, this Blue Jays roster -- the veterans, especially -- sense the urgency waiting for them when they come out of the break on Friday at home.

“Listen, it’s kind of make-or-break,” said right-handed pitcher Kevin Gausman. “We’ve got to start playing better.”

This is what mattered most Sunday:

1. Gausman, a little closer to “normal”

In past seasons, Gausman's starts have all tended to look the same. That’s high praise in his job, but over the past six weeks he’s suddenly fallen into some inconsistencies.

Sunday was a step in the right direction with three runs allowed over six innings, Gausman’s eight strikeouts helping to cover up for three walks. That’s been an issue for Gausman lately, battling against a strikeout rate that’s taken a small step back from his peak seasons in Toronto, but his velocity is still there and his splitter can still be a devastating pitch when it’s “on.”

This rotation needs Gausman. Trey Yesavage is dealing with some adversity, including seven walks on Saturday, while Shane Bieber is still settling back in and the No. 5 job is a mystery, depending on Max Scherzer’s return. A steady, reliable version of Gausman is absolutely necessary now if the Blue Jays are going to make a run.

2. Clement heads to All-Star Game on a high note

When you think of Ernie Clement, the first image that jumps to mind is not a no-doubter over the left-field wall. He’s still got some pop, though, a good bet to hit 10 or 12 home runs each season. Sunday’s two-run shot in the fourth inning was his eighth of the season, giving Clement a shot at topping his career high of 12, set in 2024.

Out of the break, Clement in the leadoff spot makes sense. This could free up George Springer to bat lower in the lineup, perhaps in the cleanup spot, where he’s seen some reps lately. Springer is also expected to begin playing the outfield again in certain spots, which would free up the DH job and help the Blue Jays max out their lineup each day. Batting .296 with a .751 OPS, Clement remains one of the most important bats in this lineup and deserving of his first trip to the All-Star Game.

3. Hoffman gives up the late lead

First, let’s frame Jeff Hoffman, because this isn’t the same pitcher who fell out of the closer’s role and drew the ire of fans earlier in the season. Since the start of June, Hoffman had posted a 0.62 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings, but the Padres finally got to him in the eighth inning.

One play to remember when we’re back from the break was when Jase Bowen swiped third with one out and Ty France at the plate.

France brought Bowen home for the winning run with a sac fly, and these stolen bases have been an issue for Hoffman -- one the Blue Jays are working to fix.

If the Blue Jays make a run at this down the stretch, September -- and October, they hope -- will be full of tight ball games. This is getting picky, because Hoffman has been excellent of late and deserves full credit for turning his season around, but these extra 90 feet can make all the difference, like they did Sunday.