The Toronto Blue Jays are rejuvenated after a five-game winning streak, primarily fueled by an explosive offense that scored 39 runs in a four-game sweep against the Oakland Athletics. This surge has kept them in contention for an American League wild-card spot, with key players like Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer leading the charge. However, their season has been marred by injuries, particularly affecting acquisitions like Andres Gimenez and Anthony Santander, who are currently on the injured list.

The bullpen has shown marked improvement, ranking ninth in the majors with a 3.47 ERA, a significant drop from last season's underwhelming performance. Jeff Hoffman has been solid, earning 13 saves, but the team faces challenges with their starting rotation. Veteran pitchers Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt have been stable, but the absence of Max Scherzer due to injury has forced the team into utilizing bullpen games. Notably, Daulton Varsho's return provided a boost, but he faces his own injury woes now, which could affect the team's momentum.

During their recent homestand, the Toronto Blue Jays have made a significant change to their pre-game routine by ensuring that players stand together on the field for the national anthems. This shift, largely driven by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., aims to foster team unity, especially after a rough start to the season. Kevin Gausman noted that this gesture has kept players accountable and connected, contributing to a noticeable uptick in performance and morale.

Manager John Schneider emphasized the importance of this collective presence, which was initiated during a frustrating series against the Angels. The Blue Jays have since shown improved teamwork, winning seven of eleven games, highlighting the impact of small but meaningful changes in fostering a winning culture.