Toronto Blue Jays' offence struggles in 100th game, fall to Tampa Bay Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays' offensive struggles continued in their 100th game, falling 7-1 to the Tampa Bay Rays. With only 398 runs this season, their lowest in MLB

By Liam Tremblay — 22 July 2026 — 4 min read

The Toronto Blue Jays experienced a 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, marking their 100th game of the season. This defeat further highlights the team’s ongoing offensive difficulties, as they have now scored one or zero runs in 20 of their games this season. The Blue Jays‘ total of 398 runs for the season is currently the lowest in Major League Baseball.

This season’s offensive performance represents a significant drop compared to their 2025 season, where the team averaged 4.92 runs per game. In contrast, this season’s average stands at 3.98 runs per game. Several everyday starters are struggling at the plate, with Alejandro Kirk (OPS+ of 63), Andres Gimenez (70), Daulton Varsho (86), and George Springer (88) all performing below the league average for hitters, which is represented by an OPS+ of 100.

Guerrero Jr.’s Performance and Team Frustration

A central figure in the team’s offensive struggles is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. His current slash line of .259/.342/.353 includes career-lows in both batting average and slugging percentage. He has hit only six home runs this season. During Monday’s game against Tampa Bay, Guerrero hit a deep fly ball that appeared to be a potential home run, but it ultimately fell short at the warning track and was caught by the left fielder, Chandler Simpson. This moment of frustration saw Guerrero holding his helmet over his head at first base.

Manager John Schneider acknowledged the pressure on Guerrero, stating that he understands the expectations placed upon the player. Schneider noted that Guerrero is frustrated, mirroring the team’s overall sentiment. Guerrero‘s performance has declined over the past two months; through the end of May, he was hitting .298 with a .392 on-base percentage. However, since the beginning of June, his slash line has dropped to .203/.266/.308, resulting in an OPS of .574.

Schneider has encouraged the team to play more relaxed, emphasizing a focus on one game at a time. He conveyed this message in a hitters’ meeting, reminding them that despite the importance of the four-game series against the Rays, each game is a standalone event. Pitcher Dylan Cease, who allowed five runs (three earned) in the loss, echoed the sentiment of disappointment and the need to move past previous results.

Playoff Hopes and Trade Deadline Approaches

The Blue Jays‘ record now stands at 46-54, placing them 5.5 games out of a playoff spot in the crowded American League standings. Historically, the team has not qualified for the playoffs with such a poor record at the 100-game mark. Out of their 11 postseason appearances, eight seasons saw them with a record of 55-45 or better at the 100-game point. The two instances where they were at .500 through 100 games required significant late-season surges to secure a playoff berth.

For example, the 1989 Blue Jays won 15 of 17 games in August and September to enter the playoff race, while the 2015 Blue Jays had an 11-game winning streak in August and won 18 of 24 games that month to take the division lead. This year’s team would need a similar strong run to re-enter the playoff conversation, which would necessitate resolving their hitting issues.

The MLB trade deadline is 13 games away, on August 3. This approaching deadline presents a critical decision point for the team: whether to acquire players to compete for a playoff spot or to trade assets for future development. Kevin Gausman, who is scheduled to start the next game against the Rays, could be a trade candidate if the team decides to sell.

In Monday’s game, Victor Mesa Jr., Cedric Mullins, and Nick Fortes each hit solo home runs for the Rays. Mesa hit his eighth home run in the second inning, followed by Mullins‘ 12th in the sixth. Fortes hit his third home run leading off the ninth inning. Dylan Cease gave up the first two homers, and reliever Brendon Little was responsible for the third. Cease pitched six innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and a walk, with seven strikeouts. The Blue Jays‘ only run came in the fourth inning from an Alejandro Kirk single.

The Blue Jays have scored only six runs in four games since the All-Star break, losing three of those outings. Rays third baseman Junior Caminero contributed significantly with three hits, including two doubles and a single, for two RBIs. The Rays‘ victory halted their five-game losing streak. Nick Martinez, the Rays‘ starter, pitched six innings, giving up one run on six hits and a walk with no strikeouts. The Blue Jays will face Drew Rasmussen of the Rays in the next game of the series.