The Toronto Blue Jays were among the several clubs that experienced an exciting but turbulent 2023 season.
The Jays’ top four series from 2023 are listed below so we can look back on them as we prepare for additional trades, signings, and spring training.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox (September 15–17, 2023)
The Jays’ playoff chances drastically dropped to about thirty percent following their humiliating four-game series sweep by the Texas Rangers, making this series the most important of the season.
Even though the Boston Red Sox defeated the Jays on several occasions throughout the 2023 season, it was clear that the Jays had more skill and talent than the Red Sox. Put another way, since the Jays have consistently underperformed this season, the team needed to win the Red Sox series for once.
And the Jays did precisely that. The Jays used their outstanding pitching to dominate the Red Sox throughout the course of this three-game series, despite the fact that the games lacked many big hits and thrilling winning stories. The Jays won all three games because their pitching prevented the Red Sox from scoring more runs, even though two of the games were at times agonizingly painful for both sides. Have we mentioned that a swinging bunt scored the game’s winning run in one of these contests? Indeed, that did indeed occur.
As retaliation for the Canada Day weekend series, the Jays eventually defeated the Red Sox at home and re-entered the postseason picture. Even though it was occasionally hard to watch their low-scoring games, the Jays’ brilliance lay in their ability to prove everyone wrong just when they seemed to be done.
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays (May 5-7, 2023)
In order to establish themselves as a serious contender in the competitive American League (AL) East division, the Jays had a lot to prove after the Boston Red Sox defeated them in a four-game series at Fenway Park. The issue was that when the Jays arrived at PNC Park to play the Pittsburgh Pirates, they were a team that was on the rise in the National League (NL) Central. After a difficult start to May, the Pirates had an impressive 20-12 record, while the Jays had an even worse 18-14 record.
But for this three-game series, the Jays could exploit the inexperienced Pirates club in Pittsburgh and display their true abilities. Throughout the course of the three games in this series, the Jays lineup never stopped clobbering balls, and the team displayed impressive pitching up and down their rotation. This series effectively illustrated the Jays’ edge over the National League Central and the overall toughness of the AL East, and also brought up memories of the Jays’ April sweep of the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox.
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays (September 22, 24)
After winning a series against the struggling New York Yankees in the Bronx, the Jays had to get ready for a terrifying series at Tropicana Field, also referred to as “the Trop.” This series would pit them against the Tampa Bay Rays. In the past, the Jays’ performance at the Trop has been lacking. The Jays have a long history of losing series in Tampa Bay, and there was little reason to believe that they would be any different this time around as they were expected to have a difficult series.
The plot twist, though, was that the Jays’ chances of making the playoffs depended on them winning the series. The AL Wild Card race was already chaotic, so the Jays needed to cement their spot in order to feel confident about their chances of making the playoffs. It’s funny to note that in all three games, the Rays scored first. The Jays have successfully scored more runs than the Rays by taking advantage of flaws in both starting and relieving pitching, even if they were unable to score more than the Rays in one of these games.
The Jays’ offense showed its strengths by regularly hitting singles, doubles, and home runs even though they didn’t score 20 runs at Tampa this time. When the Jays most needed a series victory, that’s how they could emerge from Tampa. Although the Rays have never been the Jays’ easiest opponent, this series showed how their sheer talent level might outwit even the most astute team in the division.
Toronto Blue Jays at. Atlanta Braves (May 12–14, 2023)
About this series, what else is there to say? This three-game series had it all: the excitement of facing a formidable foe, excellent pitching from the Jays’ staff, and outstanding position players’ defense. With 25 victories under their belt, the Atlanta Braves were a formidable team in the NL East heading into Toronto. With their youthful talent in the batting and rotation, it was obvious that the Braves would not give the Jays an easy game.
Moreover, it was crucial for the Jays to maintain their momentum because they hadn’t played the Braves since the 2021 campaign. Two years ago, the Jays had never lost a game against the Braves, and maintaining that record was essential to maintaining the fan base and clubhouse morale. Throughout this entire series, the Jays went above and above that. Over the course of this three-game series, Jose Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, and the Jays’ relief pitchers allowed just seven runs overall, while Chris Bassitt pitched a full game and completely shut down the Braves’ offense.
The Jays’ offense barely managed to outscore the Braves, but their outstanding defensive performances, particularly in Bassitt’s complete game victory, were the difference. When Kevin Kiermaier made a sliding catch, Bo Bichette jumped to stop the Braves offense from launching a huge double. Though the offense as a whole was perhaps a little lackluster, this was still, in some ways, the Jays at their best.
The Jays’ four-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves was a moral triumph that showcased the team’s abilities across the board and made it clear to them that they were better than most NL East teams in terms of talent.
Leave a Reply