{"id":661166,"date":"2026-04-03T17:14:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661166\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:14:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:14:16","slug":"early-concerns-rising-inside-blue-jays-hitting-lineup-after-first-home-stretch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/661166\/","title":{"rendered":"Early Concerns Rising Inside Blue Jays Hitting Lineup After First Home Stretch"},"content":{"rendered":"

At a glance, the Toronto Blue Jays are 4-2 <\/a>on the year, a solid start on what is supposed to be their redemption run after the extra-inning Game 7 loss in the 2025 World Series. However, the record doesn’t tell the full story, and the whole story is unsettling. <\/p>\n

The team started its 2026 season at Rogers Centre against the Athletics and the Colorado Rockies<\/a>. There is no reason that they shouldn’t have won both series (which they did not), nor should they have struggled so badly at the plate against either pitching staff. <\/p>\n

The Rogers Centre in 2025 was a field that other teams feared coming to because the Jays dominated at home in Canada, and it was nearly impossible to beat them. But the Rockies not only found their second win EVER in Toronto, but also their third to take the series. <\/p>\n

Not only are the Jays’ stars failing to score, but the strikeouts are rapidly growing as both George Springer and Kazuma Okamoto have 11 apiece in six games. <\/p>\n

Blue Jays Crash Out vs. Rockies\"George<\/p>\n

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) doubles during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at TD Ballpark. | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Yes, the pitching staff is bleeding, and Cody Ponce<\/a> also went down in that series, but if their bats can only bring one runner home against the worst pitchers in baseball last year, then it doesn’t matter what is going on for the Blue Jays on the mound. <\/p>\n

With the series on the line in extra innings, Toronto had the top of their order up, with a runner on third base. But, it didn’t matter as Springer popped out, Nathan Lukes hit a ball right to their shortstop, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a lineout directly to their centerfielder. <\/p>\n

A tip of the hat should go to the Rockies, but the Blue Jays gave that final game away. <\/p>\n

George Springer loves hitting dingers off the first pitch \ud83d\ude24#BlueJays50<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nLxSJz0pDt<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Fireside Baseball (@FiresideBsbl) March 29, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Springer’s air out was at least better than the pair of strikeouts he already had in the final game at Rogers Centre. He was incredible in the first two games of their season, but has been steadily declining. <\/p>\n

Glaring Issues For Springer and Okamoto<\/p>\n

Springer’s season at this point: <\/p>\n

Game 1: 0-for4Game 2: 1-for-6, 1 RBI, 2 Total Bases, 3 StrikeoutsGame 3: 1-for-4, 1 Home Run, 1 RBI, 4 Total Bases, 1 StrikeoutGame 4: 1-for-5, 1 Home Run, 1 RBI, 4 Total Bases, 2 StrikeoutsGame 5: 1-for-3, 1 Total Base, 2 Drawn Walks, 2 StrikeoutsGame 6: 0-for-4, 1 Drawn Walk, 3 Strikeouts <\/p>\n

Okamoto on the other hand, is at least hitting well when he doesn’t strike out. He’s batting .292 with an OPS of .912. That isn’t the problem, but how many times he was retired. Again, against lesser pitchers. <\/p>\n

\"Kazuma<\/p>\n

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) during an at-bat against the Athletics during the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Blue Jays now have another foe that isn’t quite as tough as the Los Angeles Dodgers, who they will face starting on Monday, April 6, at Rogers Centre. A rematch from the Fall Classic. <\/p>\n

Toronto is in Chicago right now, taking on the one-win White Sox, and if there is time to build some confidence at the plate, it is now. <\/p>\n