WHO Is To *BLAME* For The Blue Jays Slow Start? | Blue Jays Rumours & Breakdown
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The Toronto Blue Jays' 2026 season has started with a brutal offensive slump, and in this candid Locked On Blue Jays episode, hosts Braden Wasco and Carter First dissect the team's struggles with unflinching honesty. The core issue isn't just injuries—it's a systemic failure across the lineup, with key sluggers like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jesus Sanchez, and Dalton Varsho failing to deliver power despite high expectations. The team's 24 errors—fifth-worst in baseball—highlight a defensive collapse, while a lack of base stealing and small-ball execution further cripples their offensive identity. The hosts argue that even if injured stars like Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk, and George Springer return, they won't instantly fix the deeper issues: a lack of consistent at-bats, poor plate discipline, and a team-wide mental fatigue. The off day is framed not as a luxury but a necessity—a psychological reset to prevent a spiral. The episode ends on a tense note: if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doesn’t break out soon, the Blue Jays’ playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy, with one host even placing a bet that he won’t hit 21 home runs this season.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is on pace for just nine home runs through 37 games—far below his elite ceiling and a major red flag for the Blue Jays' offense.
The Blue Jays are bottom four in MLB in stolen bases, failing to execute small-ball tactics despite having speed threats like Andres Jimenez and Nathan Lucas.
Kazuma Okamoto is on pace for 40 home runs, making him the team’s only consistent offensive force—highlighting the depth crisis in the lineup.
The team has 24 errors through 37 games—fifth-worst in baseball—indicating a defensive breakdown that’s eroding their identity as a disciplined, fundamentals-first club.
Max Scherzer is likely done for the season; his recurring arm and foot issues, combined with a clean MRI and no recovery, signal the end of his tenure with the Blue Jays.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Blue Jays' Offensive Meltdown
The hosts open with a scathing assessment of the Blue Jays' offensive struggles, emphasizing that the team is failing across the board—not just due to injuries, but due to a lack of power, discipline, and execution at the plate.
The Sluggers Who Aren't Slugging
“Vladdy is on pace for nine home runs. For a guy that's getting paid as much as Vladimir Crow Jr., for a guy that has as much... as much expectations as Vladimir Gros Jr., and for the guy that has the profile of Vladimir Gros Jr., where he can almost have a one-handed swing and hit a lot of balls out of the ballpark...”
Defensive Collapse and Mental Fatigue
“It's sort of giving the fact that it may be a yips thing because you're right up to this point, we have not seen Ernie Clement make errors on routine plays. And for some reason, when the bad things start to happen, it's like it just snowballs effect.”
Max Scherzer: The End of an Era?
“I think Max Scherzer is done. I think his career, it's been an amazing career. Father time is going to always win. And this just feels like the end.”
Injury Updates and the Off Day Reality
Addison Barger is on track to return Friday, but Alejandro Kirk remains on a six-week timeline, likely not returning until June. The hosts stress that an off day is not just a break—it’s a mental necessity for a team in crisis.
“I think Max Scherzer is done. I think his career, it's been an amazing career. Father time is going to always win. And this just feels like the end.”
“Kazuma Okamoto has 10 home runs. The next closest is four home runs from Dalton Varsho and Jesus Sanchez. Not exactly where you want to be as an offense, but exactly where you want to be as Kazuma Okamoto on pace for pretty much 40 home runs.”
“It's sort of giving the fact that it may be a yips thing because you're right up to this point, we have not seen Ernie Clement make errors on routine plays. And for some reason, You know, when the bad things start to happen, it's like it just”
Hosts
vladimir guerrero jr
person
carter first
person
braden wasco
person
tampa bay rays
other
george springer
person
max scherzer
person
kazuma okamoto
person
ernie clement
person
addison barger
person
alejandro kirk
person
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