TORONTO – Technically speaking, these games in March count as much as games in late September, but in a tightly packed American League East, a strong start is crucial, lending added importance to the early part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 schedule.
It won’t be easy, as the Blue Jays play one of the league’s most gruelling schedules early, with next week’s matchup against the Nationals the lone reprieve in a slate that’s stacked with contender after contender. Starting with Thursday’s opener against the Orioles, the Blue Jays play 29 of their first 32 games against legitimate contenders with projected records above .500, according to FanGraphs.
Under those circumstances, a respectable start would be 17-15 or even 16-16. But as the Blue Jays found out last year, if you lose too much ground early, you run out of time to turn things around. Small sample or not, tough schedule or not, the Blue Jays need to make the most of the first four months of the season.
If they hold their own, they’ll buy, augmenting the pitching staff and considering position player adds. If not, they’ll have no choice but to sell just as they did a year ago.
-
-
Watch Blue Jays Opening Day on Sportsnet
The Blue Jays are officially back as they begin their season with Jose Berrios on the mound against the Orioles. Watch Opening Day, beginning with a special edition of Blue Jays Central, starting at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Thursday, March 27, on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
“We had a rough beginning of the season,” opening day starter Jose Berrios recalled at Rogers Centre Wednesday. “If we play positive the first month, we’ll be in a better position than last year. So yeah, we need to play hard, compete and be positive in the standings for the first two months.”
Within the first month of the season, the Blue Jays will play the Orioles and Red Sox twice while also playing the Mets, Yankees, Astros, Mariners and Atlanta. With the exception of the Nationals, this is the kind of schedule you’d expect to play in October, not April.
“It’s tough,” said manager John Schneider. “Everyone in the league is good and there’s no real breaks.”
To some extent, that should even out over the course of the season, allowing the Blue Jays to gradually gain ground on teams that start off with softer schedules. But it’s the first four months that will determine the organization’s posture at the trade deadline. Another 16-12 August would be too little, too late.
“There’s always pressure,” Schneider added. “There’s always expectation, so rather than run from that I think you lean into it a little bit.”
While the AL Central gets to stack up wins against the historically awful White Sox, the AL East tends to beat itself up as the year unfolds. As of Wednesday, FanGraphs has the Yankees atop the AL East with 86 wins and the Rays in last place at 82 wins with the Blue Jays (83), Orioles (83) and Red Sox (85) sandwiched in between.
The error bars are big this time of year, since one injury or breakout can change a lot, but the point is these early games matter a ton if it’s possible you make or miss the playoffs by a single game. Four years after the fact, Berrios still remembers the pain of the 2021 season when the Blue Jays missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. No one wants to see that happen again, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette on the brink of free agency.
Now, none of this impacts how the players prepare or play. They’re professionals charged with giving their all regardless of the standings. But for anyone observing the Blue Jays from a distance, this context is worth keeping in mind.
“Now it’s time to go out there and execute, compete and win a lot of ballgames,” Berrios said.
SCHERZER’S SCHEDULE
Max Scherzer’s thumb continues responding well, so he’s on track to make his Blue Jays debut Saturday against the Orioles, according to Schneider.
That outing will come on six days’ rest, and his second start of the season would come on five days’ rest assuming the Blue Jays keep their rotation on turn. But afterwards, his thumb will be put through more intense tests as he lines up to start on four days’ rest for each of his next two appearances.
The Blue Jays hope a cautious approach to the issue in spring training will allow for the three-time Cy Young Award winner to get off to a healthy start. And behind the scenes, they’re appreciating his effort level and attention to detail.
“We’ve kind of been missing that in-your-face attitude a little bit,” Schneider said. “I’m glad we have it.”
