Blue Jays Reinforcements Keep Rolling in Win Over Phillies

It doesn’t matter who they put out there, the Toronto Blue Jays are finding ways to win.

Less than 40 games into the 2021 season, the Blue Jays have used 12 different starting pitchers, 18 relievers, and 16 hitters. They have been one of the most injured teams in the league and have dipped well into their minor league depth, but still sit four games over .500. On Saturday, Toronto’s next-man-up approach continued as the Blue Jays got to Aaron Nola early and held the Phillies scoreless.

None of the first three pitchers Charlie Montoyo called on Saturday were on Toronto’s Opening Day roster. Anthony Kay came into today’s start with a 6.45 career ERA. Against the Phillies, he worked out of jams, struck out six, and gave Toronto four shutout innings.

“There’s been so many injuries, nobody expects that," Montoyo said. “I’ll keep talking about that, about the other guys stepping up for the guys who got hurt and that’s been huge."

After two straight foul offs in the first inning, Kay found the top corner of the zone against Philly catcher J.T. Realmuto, who swung below a 95-mph fastball. Kay exhaled and nodded as he walked back to the Blue Jays dugout following the 25-pitch inning.

Kay was followed by Travis Bergen, who has yet to allow a run as a Blue Jay, and A.J. Cole, who wasn’t even on the 40-man roster a week ago. Ryan Borucki became the twelfth Blue Jay reliever placed on the Injured List Friday, but the unit still has one of the best ERAs in baseball and pitched five shutout innings against the Phillies.

With Lourdes Gurriel Jr. bouncing off third base, Reese McGuire watched Nola come set on the mound in the second inning. He took two pitches high and then turned on a fastball, punching the ball by a diving Jean Segura for his first RBI of the season.

Coming into the year expectations were low for McGuire. He hit .073 last season and lost his job to Alejandro Kirk in Spring Training. Six games into his 2021, McGuire is hitting .333, is “looking like his 2019 self,” according to Montoyo, and is the latest Blue Jay call-up to make an immediate impact.

Toronto’s stars like Vlad Guerrero Jr., who homered again Saturday, are crucial, but it’s been the seamless production of depth that has carried their success so far.

"This clubhouse is unique," Guerrero said. "Everyone is backing up each other, trusting each other. Whoever comes to pitch, to hit, we believe in ourselves.”

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