Toronto Blue Jays offense struggles through 100th game, Daulton Varsho addresses manager’s criticism

By Liam Tremblay — 21 July 2026 — 3 min read

Blue Jays offense continues to falter

The Toronto Blue Jays‘ offensive struggles have persisted through their 100th game of the season, marked by a 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. This defeat highlights a broader trend, as the team has scored one or zero runs in 20 of their games this season, ranking them last in the majors with 398 runs scored.

This season’s performance represents a significant drop compared to 2025, when the team averaged 4.92 runs per game. This year, that average has fallen to 3.98 runs per game. Several players are experiencing difficulties at the plate, with everyday starters such as Alejandro Kirk (OPS+ of 63), Andres Gimenez (70), Daulton Varsho (86), and George Springer (88) all performing below the league average for hitters.

A central figure in these struggles is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose current batting average and slugging percentage are career lows. 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 was caught at the warning track, a frequent occurrence for him this year.

Manager John Schneider acknowledged Guerrero’s frustration, stating, “I don’t know what it’s like to wake up and be Vlad, and the expectations and pressure that comes with it. Yeah, he wants to be the guy. He’s here for a reason, and we signed him for a reason. He’s frustrated like we’re frustrated. I’ve got no problem with him showing it.”

Guerrero’s performance has declined since the end of May, when he was hitting .298 with a .392 on-base percentage. Since the beginning of June, his slash line has dropped to .203/.266/.308, resulting in an OPS of .574.

Differing views and playoff aspirations

In an effort to alleviate pressure, Schneider has encouraged the team to play more relaxed. He conveyed this message to the players before Monday’s game, emphasizing a focus on the present. Pitcher Dylan Cease, who allowed five runs (three earned) in the loss, echoed the sentiment of frustration but stressed the need to move past previous results.

The Blue Jays are currently 5.5 games out of a playoff spot, with the MLB trade deadline approaching on August 3. This leaves the team with a decision to make regarding whether to buy players to compete for a playoff berth or sell assets for future rebuilding.

Historically, the Blue Jays have not qualified for the postseason with such a record at the 100-game mark. Of their 11 postseason appearances (including the 2020 season), their record at 100 games was 55-45 or better in eight of those seasons. The two seasons where they were at .500 through 100 games required significant winning streaks to secure a playoff spot, such as the 1989 Blue Jays winning 15 of 17 games and the 2015 Blue Jays winning 11 straight in August.

In the wake of a shutout loss to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, manager John Schneider expressed frustration, suggesting the team lacked offensive energy. However, outfielder Daulton Varsho offered a different perspective on the team’s effort.

Varsho respectfully disagreed with Schneider’s assessment, stating, “I didn’t really see that. Maybe (Schneider) saw something that I didn’t, but I thought overall we had good at-bats, played good defence, gave ourselves a chance to win.” This exchange highlights some of the internal frustrations within the team as they navigate a challenging period.

Varsho’s future with the team is also a topic of discussion, as he is a pending free agent and has been mentioned in trade discussions. Despite being recognized for his defensive skills, his long-term fit with the organization is being evaluated as the trade deadline nears. The combination of the team’s standing and Varsho’s contract situation makes him a closely watched player ahead of the deadline.

For now, Varsho remains focused on helping the Blue Jays improve their performance, even if he holds a different view on the team’s energy during recent games. The team will play again tomorrow.

Source: tsn.ca