Why are the Toronto Blue Jays Heating Up?

(Picure via Coast Reporter)

After a sluggish start to the 2024–25 season, the Toronto Blue Jays have caught fire. Winners of 12 of their last 14 games, they’ve found their rhythm thanks to a combination of timely hitting, a rejuvenated bullpen, elite defense, and a clubhouse that’s locked in. With contributions coming from all over the roster and momentum clearly on their side, the Jays are starting to look like a legitimate threat in the AL once again.

1. Explosive recent hot streak – Toronto has won 12 of their last 14 games, including completing a three-game sweep of St. Louis, and are 11–2 in their last 13. They’re second in baseball over the past 31 games: 21–10.

reuters.com.

2. Balanced offense and contributions across the lineup – Performances have come from all levels: Bo Bichette driver, Ernie Clement timely hitting, Andrés Giménez, Alejandro Kirk delivering homers. Manager John Schneider praises the team’s stacking of series wins and clubhouse confidence.

3. Improved bullpen & pitching– Closer Jeff Hoffman is solid with 17 saves. baseball-reference.com Bullpen stability was addressed in the offseason, Hoffman, Yimi García, Nick Sandlin all bolstering performance. thescore.com

4. Elite defense – Toronto leads MLB in team fielding WAR at 19.1, ranking 4th in Defensive Runs Saved. sportsgrid.com Catchers Kirk and Heineman total 13.8 fWAR together, and Jays rank top-5 in caught-stealing. jaysjournal.com.

5. Momentum & clubhouse unity – Chris Bassitt called it a “freight train,” citing strong internal chemistry—from management to players. Coming off a rough 2024 season, the group feels collectively “fed up” and has responded well. mlb.com

Remaining concerns

Area	Details
Rotation instability	Bowden Francis (5.84 ERA) struggling; rotation remains vulnerable if injuries hit. en.wikipedia.org
Home-run prone pitching	Blue Jays staff has allowed the second-most homers in MLB (76 total, 43 in past 30 days).
Tough road ahead	They’re just 11–19 against .500+ teams, a mark that needs improvement for sustained success.

Schedule Breakdown & Analysis

June 13-15: @ Phillies (3 games)

Overview: Ranger Suárez (2.70 ERA; elite groundball/contact-rate stats) leads Friday’s start, an early test for Toronto’s lefty offense. thescore.com

Takeaway: Philly’s rotation beyond Suárez is shaky, making this series a real chance for the Jays to extend their hot stretch.

June 17-19: vs. Diamondbacks (3 games)

Overview: Arizona is below .500 and ranks in the bottom 10 by RPI SOS.

Takeaway: A favorable setup, perfect opportunity for the Jays to capitalize and build confidence at home.

June 20-22: vs. White Sox (3 games)

Overview: Chicago has been competitive but inconsistent, winnable series if Toronto’s offense stays sharp.

Takeaway: Another soft stretch on home turf; important to maintain consistency before tougher tests.

June 24-26 vs. Guardians (3 Games)

Overview: Cleveland is middle-tier; they denied the Jays 2 of 3 earlier and will pitch with confidence.

Takeaway: This one-game road trip is winnable but comes with decent opposition. Key to start with a clean sweep.

Why This Stretch Matters Now

Sustaining Momentum

With Cleveland and Philly on deck, the Jays can extend their hot streak and polish team timing, essential before the next hard slate.

Confidence Boost

Matchups against weaker teams like Arizona and Chicago are prime opportunities to build morale, test bullpen depth, and cement consistent hitting.

Pitching Showcase

Facing a top-flight pitcher in Suárez will reveal where Toronto's bats truly stand, especially against elite lefty pitching.

Home Stand Advantage

Five of nine games at Rogers Centre create a manageable environment to rest key arms in the bullpen and reset before road series.

What to Watch

Handling Suárez: Suárez’s groundball-heavy approach may neutralize power bats. How Toronto adjusts will be key.

Rotation Depth: Staying hot requires quality starts. Can Gausman, Francis or Ureña give enough to divert pressure from the bullpen?

Cleanup at Home: Dominating Arizona and the White Sox could swing their ELO and keep team morale high heading into tougher divisional games.

Summary

The Toronto Blue Jays are rolling thanks to a balanced offense, a resurgent bullpen, stellar defense, and strong team chemistry, the perfect ingredients for a hot stretch. But sustaining it will depend on their rotation stabilizing and minimizing home-run damage, especially against top-tier teams.