The Toronto Blue Jays have been a much different team since the beginning of August. For the first time in nearly three months, the Blue Jays will enter Saturday’s matchup with the Kansas City Royals at .500, currently owning a 71-71 record. They sit just 1.0 game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final spot in the American League wild card picture.
Toronto took its third straight victory on Friday in a series opener against the Royals, winning by a final score of 9-2 as the offense has continued to thrive.
After the game, Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement spoke with reporters and had a message encapsulating what has changed for this group in the second half.
“We’re gritty as hell. If we go down early, we’re not afraid to come back. Right now, we’re punching first, which is something I don’t think we had done early in the season,” Clement said, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com.
Clement is right. The Blue Jays have shown the same resiliency recently that they displayed during last year’s run to the World Series, and the hope is that it can continue for the final four weeks of the regular season.
Clement himself has been a significant contributor for the Blue Jays this season. He earned his first career All-Star selection for his efforts in the first half and has continued to be a chess piece for manager John Schneider across the infield.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Across 138 games, the 30-year-old veteran has posted a .276 batting average, .302 on-base percentage, .690 OPS, nine home runs and 46 RBIs. Clement has also been largely available, missing just four games the entire season.
Toronto Blue Jays Essentials
- The greatest Blue Jays pitchers of all-time
- 5 best hitters in Blue Jays history
- The greatest Blue Jays shortstops of all-time
- 5 best outfielders in Blue Jays history
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s net worth, MLB salary, and bonuses
