Streaking Blue Jays Hope for More Generosity from Angels
By Reuters – July 5, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays are riding high on a renewed wave of momentum, stringing together one of their most impressive runs of the season. After a string of dominant performances and capitalizing on the generosity of opponents, they now turn their focus toward the Los Angeles Angels, a team whose recent inconsistencies have been just what Toronto needs to continue its ascent in the AL Wild Card race.
With four straight wins behind them and a much-improved offense, the Blue Jays have begun to resemble the team fans hoped for at the start of the 2025 campaign. Toronto’s latest win, a commanding 7-3 performance, underscored a potent mix of timely hitting, solid defense, and opportunistic base-running—all boosted by defensive lapses and erratic pitching from their opposition.
Now entering the second game of a critical series against the Angels, the Blue Jays are eager to take advantage of an L.A. team that has struggled to maintain consistency on the mound and in the field. The Angels have committed multiple errors in recent outings and have seen their bullpen falter in key moments—issues that Toronto hitters like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Davis Schneider are more than ready to exploit.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged his team’s improved form during a post-game press conference. “We’re seeing great at-bats up and down the lineup,” he said. “Our guys are playing with confidence, and when teams give you extra outs or base runners, you have to take advantage. We’ve done that well lately.”
Indeed, in the series opener against the Angels, Toronto scored five unearned runs after two costly errors by the L.A. infield. With Bo Bichette still sidelined awaiting MRI results, younger contributors like Addison Barger and Spencer Horwitz have stepped up in big ways, providing clutch hits and smart defense.
On the pitching front, José Berríos delivered another quality start in the opener, while the bullpen—led by Yimi García and Chad Green—shut the door late. The Jays’ arms have looked increasingly sharp, limiting opponents to just nine runs over the last four games.
The Angels, meanwhile, continue to search for stability. Superstar Mike Trout remains sidelined with injury, and Shohei Ohtani’s absence after his offseason departure to the Dodgers continues to loom large. The lineup, though capable, has lacked the spark needed to consistently challenge opposing pitching. Their defense has been particularly porous, with a league-leading number of errors in the last two weeks.
If the Blue Jays are to continue climbing in the standings, the time is now. The schedule ahead includes tougher tests, including a road swing through Houston and a rematch with division rival Tampa Bay. A sweep or series win over the Angels could be the launching pad they need.
For now, Toronto remains focused on the task at hand: staying hot, capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes, and continuing their streak while the bats stay alive and the pitching holds firm.
