The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2026 season with plenty of expectations after making a run to the World Series last season, and coming painfully short of a championship. A direct result of the team’s surprising run is that expectations are now higher for Toronto. However, recent history has shown that a World Series hangover is possible for the losing team.
After making the World Series in 2023, the Arizona Diamondbacks missed the postseason the following season, and the New York Yankees team also took a step back after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fall classic. The Blue Jays found themselves in a similar situation to the Yankees, who lost superstar Juan Soto in free agency following their World Series appearance.
During this year’s free agency period, the Blue Jays lost two-time All-Star Bo Bichette, as he signed a three-year, $126 million contract with the New York Mets. While the Blue Jays may have hoped to replace Bichette’s offensive production by signing an All-Star player like Kyle Tucker, Tucker ended up joining the Los Angeles Dodgers, leaving Toronto without a proven bat to replace Bichette.
Fortunately, the team’s opening series revealed some good news, and that was displayed in their spot on The Athletic’s Power Rankings
Blue Jays Enter Top Five in Power Rankings
After sweeping the Athletics in the team’s opening three-game series, the Blue Jays entered the top 5 of The Athletic’s Power Rankings, as they were the No. 4 team. The Athletic’s Chad Jennings wrote:
“The Blue Jays managed to sweep their opening series against the A’s despite Addison Barger going hitless, the bullpen blowing leads in the first two games, and Vlad Jr. doing everything except hit for power. Through the first three games, Guerrero was hitting .400 with four walks, no strikeouts, a .571 on-base percentage, and not a single extra-base hit. We’re betting that if he continues to avoid striking out, while getting on base more than half the time, he will run into a home run or two along the way.”
The Blue Jays had previously been listed in the No. 7 spot on the power rankings.
Bo Bichette’s Replacement
Perhaps the most important aspect of the team’s first four games is that they have been able to replace Bichette’s production. Kazuma Okamoto, who came over from the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, has lived up to his four-year, $60 million contract. Through four games, Okamoto has a .333 average with an impressive 1.178 OPS.
Regarding Okamoto’s early play, Fan Sided’s Matthew Sookram wrote:
“Okamoto hit over 270 home runs in his 11-years playing in Japan. So while there was talk about making adjustments to major league pitching, the hope was he would still make solid, hard contact even if his power diminished somewhat. However, the real knock on the 29-year-old was his defense, with many saying the Blue Jays may not love what they see at third. But over the three games against the A’s, Okamoto’s defense was solid, and he even made some tough plays look easy.”
Meanwhile, Bichette was recently booed by the New York Mets’ fans after his early struggles. Bichette has struck out eight times over his first 20 plate appearances, putting up a .105 average with a .205 OPS.
Blue Jays Get Good News After Opening Series of MLB Season