Blue Jays Hold Their Ground in Boston Behind Bassitt's Steady Hand
Hey folks, let's talk about Game 81 of the Toronto Blue Jays’ season — a milestone moment as the team hit the halfway mark of the 2025 campaign. And where better for a classic showdown than Fenway Park, facing off against the Boston Red Sox in what turned into a strategic and tightly contested matchup.
Now, one of the biggest stories heading into the game was whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be in the lineup. Early signs said no, as he was labeled day-to-day, possibly available off the bench. But just before first pitch — surprise — Vlad was penciled in at first base. That instantly changed the energy and expectations for the Blue Jays' offense.
As for pitching, the spotlight was firmly on Toronto’s right-hander, José BerrÃos. He was up against Boston’s Brayan Bello, and both had something to prove. BerrÃos has been trying to reestablish his dominance after a few shaky starts, while Bello looked to bounce back after a recent rough outing. But truth be told, all eyes were already on Chris Bassitt and his projected start the following day. His track record against Boston is just too good to ignore: over 11 starts, a 2.84 ERA, 66 strikeouts, and a reputation for going deep into games. You bet that sets a tone for the entire pitching staff.
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In terms of injuries, there's some light at the end of the tunnel for the Jays. Yimi Garcia is expected to return soon after a rehab outing in Buffalo, and Daulton Varsho is back running again after a minor setback. Alek Manoah is ramping up too, throwing bullpen sessions and gearing up for a rehab assignment soon. Slowly but surely, the reinforcements are coming.
Lineup-wise, Bo Bichette continued to lead things off at shortstop, followed by Addison Barger in right field, and Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer took DH duties, with Vlad back at first, and Nathan Lukes patrolling center field. The rest of the lineup was a mix of role players like Ernie Clement and Alan Roden, all trying to seize their moment with several regulars still nursing injuries.
And how about the Red Sox? Their lineup had a younger, evolving feel, with names like Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela making more regular appearances. But offensively, they’ve hit a wall lately — and it showed again in this game. Toronto’s arms really tightened the screws, limiting Boston to just a handful of hits the night before, and setting the stage for another strong pitching performance.
It’s also worth noting how critical this stretch is for the Jays. With the season now officially halfway through, every series — especially divisional ones like this — carries extra weight. And with Boston struggling and Toronto aiming to claw back into the playoff picture, these head-to-head games can swing the standings dramatically.
All in all, Game 81 wasn’t just another notch on the schedule. It was a reminder of this team's resilience, their growing depth, and their reliance on steady pitching like BerrÃos today — and Bassitt tomorrow. If the Jays can stay healthy and keep this kind of consistency, they’ll be in the thick of the playoff hunt down the stretch.
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