The Toronto Blue Jays 2026 Season Begins with a Bang

The Toronto Blue Jays warming up at Spring Training. Photo credits to Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images. The photo can be found on the Toronto Blue Jays on Sports Illustrated.

Toronto had a rollercoaster of emotions last season with the Toronto Blue Jays making it to the World Series for the first time since 1993, where they defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Toronto finished the 2025 season with a 94-68 record, finishing first in the American League East.

They began their postseason run against the New York Yankees, where Toronto won 3-1. The Blue Jays went on to face the Seattle Mariners, a team that hadn't been to the World Series before, and defeated Seattle in seven games. After clinching a spot in the World Series, Toronto went on to play seven games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where they fell short of a championship win.

While they didn't get the win, fans were excited for the 2026 season.

Blue Jays pitcher Tommy Nance pitching against the Detroit Tigers. Courtesy of Mike Watters-Imagn Images | Mike Watters-Imagn Images. The photo can be found on Jays Journal.

The Blue Jays lost some of their key players, including shortstop Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets. They also lost their starting pitcher, Chris Bassitt, to the Baltimore Orioles, first baseman Ty Frances, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Boston Red Sox.

Even though they lost some key players, Toronto's arsenal got bigger, especially on the pitching side. Their biggest signing of the season came when they signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a $210 million, seven-year contract. Sticking to starting pitchers, Toronto also signed starting pitcher Max Scherzer and relief pitcher Tyler Rogers.

Blue Jays starting pitcher, Dylan Cease. Photo credits to John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images. The photo can be found on the Toronto Blue Jays on Sports Illustrated.

After finalizing their 40-man roster, the Blue Jays were ready to begin their Spring Training. They finished off their preseason with a 12-14 record and a .462 winning percentage. While Spring Training records may not matter as much, Toronto was able to see what was working for them and what they could continue to work on.

The Blue Jays began their season at home against the Athletics, where they took the series win 3-0.

In their first game against the Athletics, Toronto won on Opening Day 3-2 with a triple from Andrés Giménez to bring Ernie Clement and Kazuma Okamoto home. Giménez then hit a single in the bottom of the ninth to bring Okamoto home.

The second game of the season was also a close one, where Toronto took the 8-7 win. The scoring began with a double from George Springer, where Myles Straw ran home to put their first run on the board, but Toronto fell behind following a grand slam by the Athletics catcher, Shea Langeliers. As the Blue Jays continued to cut the lead down, they eventually went into extra innings, and at the bottom of the eleventh inning, Clement hit a single to bring Nathan Lukes home.

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (right) celebrating with Carlos Febles, third base coach (left). Photo credits to Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP. The photo can be found on The Press Democracy.

In the last game of the series, the Blue Jays took a 5-2 win with a home run from Springer, a two-run homer from Jesús Sánchez, and a home run from Okamoto. Toronto's last run came in the bottom of the fifth when Addison Barger was walked on a bases loaded which brought Tyler Heineman home.

Things were looking bright for the Blue Jays, and they were set to face the Colorado Rockies. In their matchup against Colorado, Toronto lost 1-2 and headed to Chicago to face the Chicago White Sox. After their first game was postponed due to inclement weather, the Blue Jays were swept by the White Sox in a three-game series.

At that time, they had a 4-5 record, and they were getting ready to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was going to be an interesting game as the two teams faced each other for the first time since Los Angeles won the 2025 World Series.

Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers' Alex Freeland (right). Photo credits to the Canadian Press/Nathan Denette. The photo can be found on the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

In the first game of their matchup, Toronto lost 14-2. The only two runs came from Toronto when Clement hit a single to bring Springer in, and then Giménez grounded out, and Daulton Varsho scored.

Heading into their second game of the series, the Blue Jays took their sixth straight loss when they were outscored by the Dodgers 1-4. The one and only run came from Springer, who hit a double to bring Giménez home.

The Blue Jays avoided the sweep when they beat Los Angeles in a close 4-3 game. Toronto began the scoring when Sánchez hit a double and brought Varsho in. Springer also hit a double, and Davis Schneider scored. Toronto went on to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Varsho hit a single and Straw scored. An inning later, Giménez stole second base, which allowed Schneider to score following a catching error by Los Angeles' catcher Will Smith.

Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer during an at-bat. Photo credits to Chris Young from The Canadian Press. The photo can be found on Madison Courier.

With the Minnesota Twins series starting on Friday, the Blue Jays took a 10-4 win. With this win, they slowly took the lead as the Twins took an early lead in the top of the first inning with a three-run home run from Ryan Jeffers. Toronto played the long game by getting consistent at-bats and finding ways to get on base, such as a double from Sánchez, Clement, and Springer.

Heading into the second and third games of the series against Minnesota, the Blue Jays had a 7-4 loss and an 8-2 loss. While Toronto took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with a two-run home run from Varsho, Minnesota cut the score by one run following a run from Brooks Lee.

Eventually, the Twins took the lead at the top of the third inning when Josh Bell hit a single, bringing Austin Martin and Luke Keaschall home. During Saturday's game, Springer unfortunately fouled a ball off his foot. It was then revealed that Springer has a fracture in his left big toe and would be placed on the injured list, making the Blue Jays call up Eloy Jiménez. Information obtained from MLB.

In Sunday's 8-2 loss, Toronto was able to get two runs from Varsho's single and Sánchez's sacrifice fly.

Photo of Blue Jays second baseman, Ernie Clement (left) and first baseman, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (right). Courtesy of Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images. The photo can be found on Jays Journal.

After Toronto lost the series against the Twins 2-1, they began their road trip against the Milwaukee Brewers. In Tuesday's game, the Blue Jays took a 9-7 win against the Brewers in extra innings.

Currently, the Blue Jays remain fourth in the AL East, right behind the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays currently hold a 7-9 record and are set to close out their away series against the Brewers on Thursday and continue their road trip by facing the Arizona Diamondbacks starting on Friday.

Edited by Mary Merensky