The Blue Jays fell to the Orioles 11-4 on July 29 as the bullpen collapsed, intensifying trade rumors linking Toronto to star closer Ryan Helsley.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was one of those nights in Baltimore. A night where every hard-hit ball seemed to find a gap, the opposing bats were relentless, and the Blue Jays' bullpen couldn't find an out. The 11-4 drubbing at the hands of the Orioles was more than just a second straight loss; it was a blaring siren, signaling exactly what's at stake as the MLB trade deadline careens into view.
There is an '80% chance' Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley will be traded, with Toronto considered an 'ideal fit.'
The game felt out of reach early and never got closer. The Orioles, led by a returning Adley Rutschman (3 hits, 2 RBIs) and a powerful Ramon Laureano (homer, 3 RBIs), simply dismantled Toronto's pitching staff. While George Springer and Bo Bichette tried to spark the offense, it was nowhere near enough to counter the 11 runs put up by Baltimore. The loss drops the Jays to 63-44 and serves as a painful reminder of how potent the O's lineup can be, especially when a bullpen is struggling.
If the Blue Jays' front office needed any more motivation to upgrade the bullpen, Tuesday's game was a feature-length presentation. The timing couldn't be more dramatic, as rumors linking Toronto to St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley have reached a boiling point. Multiple reports, including from The Athletic's Katie Woo and Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, suggest a deal is highly likely. The consensus is that Toronto is an 'ideal fit' for the hard-throwing righty, whose presence could transform the back end of the Jays' bullpen from a question mark into an exclamation point.
The challenges aren't just on the field. The team is navigating a significant injury bug. Catcher Alejandro Kirk, hitting a robust .304, landed on the 7-day IL with a concussion, a major blow to the lineup's depth. Ali Sánchez was called up from Triple-A to fill the void. This news came alongside a flurry of other moves, with INF Will Wagner being reinstated, OF Alan Roden optioned, and RHP Bowden Francis moved to the 60-day IL. Manager John Schneider also confirmed that Daulton Varsho and Alek Manoah are still without firm return timetables, underscoring the team's ongoing battle with attrition.
While the big-league club weathers the storm, there's positive news from the farm system. Top pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann is reportedly making excellent progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. He's throwing from 120 feet and the organization remains hopeful he could see some game action before the end of the 2025 season. It's a crucial long-term development for a team that understands the value of homegrown, top-tier pitching.
As the dust settles on a rough night in Maryland, the path forward is clear, if challenging. The Blue Jays must find a way to bounce back against a tough division rival, all while fans and players alike watch the clock tick down to the trade deadline. The next 48 hours could define the ceiling for this team. Will the front office make the bold move for a game-changer like Helsley? And can the current roster, battered but not broken, find the resolve to turn things around? The answers will come soon.
