3 takeaways from the Blue Jays’ 3rd week of the 2025 season

Welcome to the third edition of my weekly Blue Jays takeaways for the 2025 season.

It was another eventful stretch as Toronto posted a 3-2 record against the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves, continuing their solid start to the year. As of this writing, the Blue Jays sit one game behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. Looking ahead to Week 4, Toronto will wrap up its homestand with a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners before heading south to face the Houston Astros. This week’s three takeaways: a fiery presence on the mound, a dominant pitching performance, and the emergence of power at the plate.

Ace in the hole

Toronto’s 11-8 start is largely thanks to its starting rotation, which enters the week with a collective 3.29 ERA — good for fifth-best among MLB rotations.

But no one deserves more recognition than Chris Bassitt, who’s taken both the Blue Jays and the league by storm.

Bassitt leads all starters with a 0.77 ERA, has tallied 31 strikeouts over 23 1/3 innings, and is tied for the MLB lead in WAR among starting pitchers at 1.3. His 10-strikeout performance in just five innings helped make franchise history (more on that later) and locked up a series win over the Braves.

It’s the exact kind of turnaround Bassitt needed after a 10-14 campaign in 2024 with a 4.16 ERA. Despite early concerns over neck spasms that cut his previous two starts short, the 35-year-old has shown no signs of slowing down. Right now, he’s not just a key piece of the rotation — he’s the heartbeat of it.

A franchise best

You know your season is off to a strong start when you’re making a little history along the way. Wednesday’s game against the Braves saw Toronto set a franchise record with 19 strikeouts in a nine-inning game — a combined effort from Chris Bassitt and four relievers.

The bullpen has quietly played a big role in the team’s early success. Entering the week, Toronto ranks fifth in the majors in strikeouts per nine innings (10.44) and eighth in total strikeouts (75). That’s a significant leap from 2024, when the group ranked dead last in K/9 (7.99) and 29th in total strikeouts (502).

If the Blue Jays can continue relying on their bullpen in the later innings, it could be what they need to stay competitive throughout the year.

Here comes the power

Do you think Anthony Santander reads my takeaways?

After raising concerns about the lineup’s lack of power last week, Santander’s bat came to life, launching his first two home runs of the season. And he wasn’t alone.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally broke through with his first homer of 2025, a welcome sight after his monumental extension.

It’s exactly the boost needed at the top of the order. While the Blue Jays have managed to stay competitive with the small ball, the long ball can’t stay quiet forever. If Toronto wants to keep pace in the division, consistent power from the top of the lineup will be key to maintaining a well-rounded lineup.

See you next week.