The break from the All-Star Game was beneficial for the Toronto Blue Jays. They will be among the teams to watch in the second half of the season, especially if they maintain their excellent pace of the last few weeks.
The race in the American League East Division is likely to be intense. For the past month, the Jays have moved up the peloton and put some distance between them and the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
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With eight wins in 10 games and a successful sweep past the Arizona Diamondbacks last week, their progress is evident, especially on the pitching side.
Reliever Yimi Garcia, for example, hasn’t allowed a run in his last 11 appearances. This is a good thing, since Jordan Romano has not yet finished treating his back injuries.
Hyun-jin Ryu continues his AAA-level fitness in Buffalo and Alek Manoah could play his first game in Toronto since being booed heartily by his own fans. The 25-year-old Gunner is having a tough season, but a moment away from the spotlight has done him good.
“Our relievers aren’t getting enough love,” Kevin Kiermaier told Sportsnet on Sunday night. […] They are awesome. Pitchers are the backbone of our team. I tell them constantly. We need them to go a long way.”
The attack is also going pretty well. After winning the home run contest as part of the All-Star Game, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a long ball in his first game against the “D-Backs”.
The first choice signs his contract
On Monday, Arjun Nimmala put his signature on his first contract with the Jays. The first-round pick, 20e in total, accepted a pact with a signing bonus of $3 million.
Toronto was able to negotiate with the 17-year-old, since his draft selection rank should normally earn him an amount of $ 3.746 million. This money left available will give more leeway to the team, which will want to get along with its other hopes.
Nimmala is a shortstop who impressed in 2023 with a .479 batting average for the Strawberry Crest Chargers, his high school team. The Blue Jays did not specify which league the Indian-born youngster would report to next season.