Blue Jays Lose to Astros After Late Homer by Hoffman
The Toronto Blue Jays are demonstrating a remarkable ability to overcome deficits, showcasing resilience throughout the 2023 season.
key Stats & Trends
- Comeback Wins: Tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most in MLB with 43.
- Winning Percentage When Trailing: .463 when giving up the first run.
- comebacks by Inning:
- 13 wins when trailing after six innings.
- 10 additional wins when trailing after seven innings.
- 4 additional wins when trailing after eight innings.
- Extra Innings Record: 9-4.
Recent Performance & Standings
Despite a recent 3-2 loss to the Houston Astros after tying the game in the eighth, the Blue Jays maintain a strong position in the AL East.
Here’s a snapshot of the AL East standings as of the article’s publication:
| Team | Record | Games behind Blue Jays |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Blue Jays | 83-62 | – |
| New york Yankees | 80-65 | 3 |
| Boston Red Sox | 81-66 | 2 |
Areas for Enhancement
A concerning trend is the number of home runs allowed by reliever Jeff Hoffman. He has allowed 15 home runs in 62.1 innings this season, a important increase compared to the 9 home runs allowed in a combined 118.2 innings over the previous two seasons.
Manager John Schneider notes that teams may be adjusting their approach when facing Hoffman, focusing on pitch deployment and count. The team is working to optimize Hoffman’s use of his three pitches (fastball, slider, split) to mitigate the damage.