The Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 5-3 on June 29, 2025, thanks to back-to-back homers from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. & Addison Barger. Now 3 games back, they face the Yankees.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget the .500 record, this is the team we've been waiting for. The Toronto Blue Jays stormed into Fenway Park, took two of three from the rival Red Sox with a decisive 5-3 victory on Sunday, and now they're coming home with a head of steam. Powered by a thunderous first-inning barrage from Addison Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Jays are officially in the hunt, sitting just three games back of the New York Yankees with a massive four-game series kicking off Monday.
With the win, the Blue Jays improved to 45-38 and hold a Wild Card spot, just three games behind the Yankees in the AL East.
The Jays wasted no time making their presence felt on Sunday. Addison Barger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched back-to-back home runs off Boston starter Walker Buehler in the very first inning, silencing the Fenway faithful. The offense wasn't done, tacking on two more crucial runs in the fourth inning by capitalizing on Buehler's wildness. RBI singles from Andrés Giménez and a two-hit day from Nathan Lukes provided the necessary cushion. While the bullpen bent, it didn't break, with Yariel Rodríguez earning the win in relief and Jeff Hoffman shutting the door for his 18th save of the season. The victory improved Toronto's dominant record against Boston to 7-3 on the year.
The stage is set for a heavyweight bout to kick off the week. Max Scherzer will make his second start since returning from a right thumb injury, and it couldn't come at a bigger moment. He'll take the mound against the Yankees' ace, Carlos Rodón (9-5, 2.92 ERA), in a game that will set the tone for the entire series. All eyes will be on Scherzer (0-0, 5.63 ERA) to see if he can shake off the rust from his first outing and deliver the kind of dominant performance this team needs to make a statement against the division leaders.
As the Jays gear up for their most important stretch of the season, the front office is making sure the bullpen is stocked. Ahead of Sunday's game, the team recalled left-handed reliever Justin Bruihl. While he's only pitched 2 2/3 innings this season, they've been scoreless ones. Adding another lefty arm provides manager John Schneider with more matchup options, a critical tool when facing the potent, lefty-heavy bats in the Yankees' lineup. It's a small move, but one that signals the team is focused on having every possible weapon at their disposal for this fight.
The series win in Boston was more than just a couple of victories; it was a declaration. The Blue Jays are no longer just treading water; they're swimming for the top. As they head back to Toronto, the atmosphere at Rogers Centre for this four-game set against the Yankees will be electric. This isn't just another series in June; it's a chance to redraw the map of the AL East and prove they are true contenders. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild week.
