‘It’s up to us’: Blue Jays hold players only meeting as losses mount

The Toronto Blue Jays held a players-only meeting after yet another lost series, this time at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays, who won three of four games at Tropicana Field, ending Toronto’s dreadful stretch against division opponents.

Starter Alek Manoah struggled again on Thursday and was pulled after only three innings in which he surrendered four runs and walked five batters. Hurt by familiar control issues and more shaky defence by his teammates, Manoah exited after throwing 87 pitches and with his team trailing 5-1. Only 44 of his pitches were for strikes.

The 25-year-old, one of baseball’s best pitchers last season, is now 1-5 with a 5.53 ERA in 11 starts.

Losses piling up early in the season is one thing, but it’s increasingly unfavourable when it’s against AL East opponents. The Blue Jays, last in the division, have a combined 6-15 record against the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Rays this season.

After Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Rays, Chris Bassitt pointed out how the Blue Jays “are in the heart of the toughest part of our schedule, and to play the baseball that we’re playing right now, we can’t expect to win games.”

They corrected in Tuesday’s 20-1 rout, got Shane McClanahan’d in a 7-3 loss Wednesday and then were all kinds of loose behind Manoah on Thursday.

Jays players meet as frustration builds

Toronto has lost seven of its last eight games and is 8-15 in May. A players-only meeting was held postgame as veteran leaders attempted to steer the baseball club in the right direction.

“We’re all grown men here. It’s up to us. We’re the ones on the field,” said third baseman Matt Chapman.

I asked Matt Chapman what, if anything he could share with us, about what was discussed in the players’ meeting.

“I’m not sure how you guys know that happened.” Then said he’d like to keep it with the team. #BlueJays

— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) May 25, 2023

“Our coaches can’t hold our [hands] and help try to make each other better. We are a team, and we want to win. If we want to win a division or play in the playoffs, it’s up to us to find ways to get back on track. It’s up to nobody else but us.”

Manager John Schneider said the Jays have been “punched right in the face” during this poor stretch of play.

“You’ve got to understand that, and you’ve got to make adjustments, and you’ve got to have the right attitude, and you’ve got to have the right focus going forward,” Schneider said.

“In talking to the guys and hearing them, it’s got to happen tomorrow. Yes, it’s a tough division. Yes, that’s a good team. We’re still a good team, too. You outhit the opponent again. You don’t control the running game. You’re careless with the baseball. [That] can’t happen.”

The Blue Jays finish a run of 17 straight games this weekend in Minnesota against the AL Central-leading Twins, who began the day with the same 26-24 record the Blue Jays started with.

“Starting [Friday], it’s a new series, and hopefully, those things are taken care of,” Schneider added.

With files from Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi