Really good wasn’t good enough in the powerful AL East. Expect the Blue Jays to be back–and be even better–in 2022.
After a 91-win season, a team expects to be a lock for the MLB playoffs, a Wild Card slot at the very least. But that outcome wasn’t in the cards for the 2021 Toronto Blue Jays. It was close–going down to the last game of the season–but when the last pitch was taken and the bats put away, the Red Sox and Yankees find themselves in tonight’s Wild Card play-in game. The Blue Jays? Well, it’s the proverbial, “Wait ‘Til Next Year.”
The Blue Jays swept the final series against the Orioles, positioning themselves well enough, but the sweep didn’t get it done. The BoSox put the final nail in the coffin by rallying for a win against the Nationals, down 5-1, but eventually winning on a walk-off homer in the 9th.
For the Jays and their fans, it was a painful finish to an otherwise great season. In addition to having a 91-win season, Toronto recorded a franchise-record 258 home runs. Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. all set personal bests. Semien’s first season in Toronto will be etched in the history books, too, for the most home runs (45) hit by a second baseman. Bichette set a franchise record by a shortstop, crushing 29 dingers. Guerrero Jr. tied Salvador Perez for a league-best 48 home runs, and he just fell shy of earning the AL Triple Crown. He’s still in the running to be named AL MVP.
There’s more, too. Four Blue Jays recorded 100+ RBIs–Bichette, Guerrero Jr., Semien, and Teoscar Hernandez. Not since the 2003 Braves has a Major League team had four players achieve that feat.
With a potent offense and improved pitching, I predict the Blue Jays will be back in the hunt in 2022. The best is yet to come, fans!
