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3 MLB teams that could be next year’s Blue Jays

3 MLB teams that could be next year’s Blue Jays

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In 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays came out of nowhere and shocked the baseball world by winning the AL East before making a spirited run to the World Series. That was a lengthy jump from 2024 where they totaled 74 wins and appeared to be a team with no direction.

Toronto was reportedly in on a number of big name free agents but seemed to always come up just short. Additionally, it looked like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might be set to walk out the door as well in free agency. A rebuild appeared to be more likely than a World Series run.

However, the Blue Jays inked Guerrero Jr. to a mega-extension and transformed themselves into the best defensive team in the league. All the pieces clicked which led to them taking the two-time champion Dodgers to the brink in a classic Game 7.

Fortunes can change quickly in baseball and below are three teams that could be poised to make a leap again in 2026.

The most obvious candidate to be “the next Blue Jays” actually comes from the same division. Before this season, the Baltimore Orioles were seen as a team on the rise and a perennial playoff team. They had made the postseason in back-to-back seasons, with most of their best players still in their mid-20’s. 2025 was supposed to be more of the same.

The Orioles’ young core of position players led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman was the envy of the league at one point. However, their season went off the rails very quickly. The pitching staff was something that they didn’t address in the previous offseason and it turned out to be even worse than expected. Between injuries and regression to some older starters, Baltimore got off to a nightmare start.

After starting the season 15-28, they fired former manager of the year Brandon Hyde. By season’s end, the Orioles finished with a disappointing 75-87 record.

2025 was pretty much a worst case scenario in the same way 2024 was for the Jays. We talked about the pitching, but the offense also suffered from injuries and inconsistencies. Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser and Adley Rutschman all missed a lot of time.

While Gunnar Henderson didn’t miss many games, he was not at his best. He had a good season by most players’ standards, with 5.3 bWAR, 17 homers and a .787 OPS. However, it was a far cry from his 9.1 WAR, 37 homer 2024 season.

A lot of young players who have these monster years at 22 or 23 years old tend to come down to earth a bit the next year. Still, putting up a 9-win season puts him in elite company.

The front office should also learn from its mistakes and look to solidify the rotation with a frontline addition. With the emergence of Trevor Rogers, and the returns of Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish from injury, Baltimore’s rotation should be in much better shape next season.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Orioles were a team on the rise. 2025 was a step back but the pieces are in place.

Another team that could be 2026’s answer to the Blue Jays is the Atlanta Braves. After making the playoffs every year from 2018 to 2024, the Braves missed out on October baseball after finishing with a disappointing 76-86 record.

Like the Orioles, the Braves dealt with a lot of injuries in 2025. Ronald Acuña Jr. returned from his second ACL injury in late May but the entire Opening Day rotation spent significant time on the injured list. That included Spencer Strider, who returned from an internal brace procedure but then was sidelined again with a hamstring issue. Austin Riley’s season ended in early August and the team’s only notable offseason addition, Jurickson Profar was hit with an 80-game PED suspension after just four games.

Brian Snitker retired after 49 years with the Braves organization and was replaced by bench coach Walt Weiss. Atlanta will head into the offseason looking to add pitching depth and to shake up a core that has gotten older and a bit stale since their breakthrough World Series win in 2021.

Since their magical 107 win season in 2021, the Giants have been the definition of mediocre. In the four seasons since, San Francisco has won 81, 79, 80 and 81 games. Talk about being in no man’s land.

The Giants got a headstart on their offseason by replacing manager Bob Melvin with former University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello. Vitello was one of the most successful college coaches and is also a highly charismatic figure. While he is unproven at the major league level, the Giants are betting that Vitello can provide a boost of energy to the roster.

The Giants have some interesting pieces already in place. Mat Chapman turned in another solid season and Willy Adames overcame a slow start to lead the team in fWAR. The addition of Rafael Devers gave the team a lefty power bat to slot into the middle of the order. Logan Webb is one of the most underrated pitchers in the National League so there are pieces in place to work with.

It is easy to get overlooked when you share a division with the Dodgers but a good offseason and a modern day approach by Vitello could lead the Giants back to contention in a big way.

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But that frustration worsened Sunday morning, when Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying following a post-session inspection.

During the post-qualifying scrutineering, race stewards found that the floor on Hadjar’s RB22 was protruding approximately two millimeters beyond the specifications allowed for in the 2026 F1 technical regulations. Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned to a hearing with race officials, set for early Sunday morning.

Following the hearing, Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying.

In the report from race stewards, they noted that Red Bull “did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.”

Race officials imposed the standard penalty for a breach of the technical regulations, which is a disqualification from the session. Red Bull then requested that Hadjar be permitted to start the race, despite being disqualified from qualifying, and race officials granted that request.

Hadjar will line up 22nd on the grid, at the back of the field.

Speaking after qualifying, Hadjar outlined his frustration with the upgrades, and his performance during the hour.

“The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast. In Q3 I just couldn’t put it all together and on the other side we have no straight line speed,” Hadjar said after qualifying.

“I think it’s a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It’s not a very fluid racing track with good grip.

“It’s completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions. In the corners I can tell you I’ve made big progress compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t tidy up like he did and on top of that I’m missing in every straight.”

Now he’ll have to make up significant ground on the track, in what is expected to be a very wet Miami Grand Prix.

#Isack #Hadjars #qualifying #disqualification #Miami #explained">Isack Hadjar’s qualifying disqualification at the Miami GP, explained Red Bull brought a series of upgrades to the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, hoping to unlock improved performance in the RB22. The decision seemed to pay immediate dividends for Max Verstappen, who put his RB22 on the front row during qualifying, and he will start second alongside pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli later today.However, Isack Hadjar qualified ninth — 0.825 seconds behind Verstappen — which was frustrating enough for the Red Bull driver.But that frustration worsened Sunday morning, when Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying following a post-session inspection.During the post-qualifying scrutineering, race stewards found that the floor on Hadjar’s RB22 was protruding approximately two millimeters beyond the specifications allowed for in the 2026 F1 technical regulations. Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned to a hearing with race officials, set for early Sunday morning.Following the hearing, Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying.In the report from race stewards, they noted that Red Bull “did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.”Race officials imposed the standard penalty for a breach of the technical regulations, which is a disqualification from the session. Red Bull then requested that Hadjar be permitted to start the race, despite being disqualified from qualifying, and race officials granted that request.Hadjar will line up 22nd on the grid, at the back of the field.Speaking after qualifying, Hadjar outlined his frustration with the upgrades, and his performance during the hour.“The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast. In Q3 I just couldn’t put it all together and on the other side we have no straight line speed,” Hadjar said after qualifying.“I think it’s a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It’s not a very fluid racing track with good grip.“It’s completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions. In the corners I can tell you I’ve made big progress compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t tidy up like he did and on top of that I’m missing in every straight.”Now he’ll have to make up significant ground on the track, in what is expected to be a very wet Miami Grand Prix. #Isack #Hadjars #qualifying #disqualification #Miami #explained

disqualified from qualifying following a post-session inspection.

During the post-qualifying scrutineering, race stewards found that the floor on Hadjar’s RB22 was protruding approximately two millimeters beyond the specifications allowed for in the 2026 F1 technical regulations. Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned to a hearing with race officials, set for early Sunday morning.

Following the hearing, Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying.

In the report from race stewards, they noted that Red Bull “did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.”

Race officials imposed the standard penalty for a breach of the technical regulations, which is a disqualification from the session. Red Bull then requested that Hadjar be permitted to start the race, despite being disqualified from qualifying, and race officials granted that request.

Hadjar will line up 22nd on the grid, at the back of the field.

Speaking after qualifying, Hadjar outlined his frustration with the upgrades, and his performance during the hour.

“The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast. In Q3 I just couldn’t put it all together and on the other side we have no straight line speed,” Hadjar said after qualifying.

“I think it’s a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It’s not a very fluid racing track with good grip.

“It’s completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions. In the corners I can tell you I’ve made big progress compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t tidy up like he did and on top of that I’m missing in every straight.”

Now he’ll have to make up significant ground on the track, in what is expected to be a very wet Miami Grand Prix.

#Isack #Hadjars #qualifying #disqualification #Miami #explained">Isack Hadjar’s qualifying disqualification at the Miami GP, explained

Red Bull brought a series of upgrades to the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, hoping to unlock improved performance in the RB22. The decision seemed to pay immediate dividends for Max Verstappen, who put his RB22 on the front row during qualifying, and he will start second alongside pole-sitter Kimi Antonelli later today.

However, Isack Hadjar qualified ninth — 0.825 seconds behind Verstappen — which was frustrating enough for the Red Bull driver.

But that frustration worsened Sunday morning, when Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying following a post-session inspection.

During the post-qualifying scrutineering, race stewards found that the floor on Hadjar’s RB22 was protruding approximately two millimeters beyond the specifications allowed for in the 2026 F1 technical regulations. Hadjar and a Red Bull representative were summoned to a hearing with race officials, set for early Sunday morning.

Following the hearing, Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying.

In the report from race stewards, they noted that Red Bull “did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.”

Race officials imposed the standard penalty for a breach of the technical regulations, which is a disqualification from the session. Red Bull then requested that Hadjar be permitted to start the race, despite being disqualified from qualifying, and race officials granted that request.

Hadjar will line up 22nd on the grid, at the back of the field.

Speaking after qualifying, Hadjar outlined his frustration with the upgrades, and his performance during the hour.

“The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast. In Q3 I just couldn’t put it all together and on the other side we have no straight line speed,” Hadjar said after qualifying.

“I think it’s a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It’s not a very fluid racing track with good grip.

“It’s completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions. In the corners I can tell you I’ve made big progress compared to yesterday. I just couldn’t tidy up like he did and on top of that I’m missing in every straight.”

Now he’ll have to make up significant ground on the track, in what is expected to be a very wet Miami Grand Prix.

#Isack #Hadjars #qualifying #disqualification #Miami #explained
GT vs PBKS Live Score, IPL 2026: Shedge, Stoinis push Punjab Kings to 163 for nine; Holder takes four for Gujarat Titans Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (c), Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyala Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad. #PBKS #Live #Score #IPL #Shedge #Stoinis #push #Punjab #Kings #Holder #takes #Gujarat #Titans

Deadspin | Evander’s hat trick, late PK boost Cincinnati over Fire May 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images Evander converted a penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a hat trick and lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Evander collected a brace in the first half and then added his third goal for the late winner. A yellow card was issued to Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla for a foul in the box on Pavel Bucha, leading to the deciding penalty kick. The winning goal came six minutes after Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers missed his own chance to complete a hat trick with a penalty-kick strike. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano (eight saves) made a huge save to deny Cuypers and preserve the 2-2 score. FC Cincinnati (4-4-3, 15 points) won despite playing with only 10 men for most of the second half. Defender Kyle Smith was issued a straight red card in the 56th minute for an accidental kick to the face of the Fire’s Robin Lod. Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last five (2-0-3) matches, including a 3-3 draw with the Fire two weeks prior. The victory was Cincinnati’s first win in six road matches this season (1-3-2). FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Chicago. The Fire (5-3-2, 17 points) have held leads in all three of their losses this season. Saturday’s defeat ended a five-match (4-0-1) unbeaten streak for the home side. After going scoreless in his first six regular-season matches, Evander now has five goals in his last four matches. Cuypers has 10 goals in seven league matches this season, scoring at least once in every appearance. Cuypers’ three straight matches with multiple goals ties the second-longest brace streak in MLS history. The forward started early Saturday, as Cuypers converted a shot that deflected off Smith and into the net in the 16th minute. Shaky defending also aided in Evander’s equalizer in the 24th minute. During a scramble in front of the Fire’s net, Chicago center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a poor touch on a clearance attempt that put the ball right at Evander’s feet for the finish. Cuypers completed the brace four minutes later, but Evander provided another quick response in the 31st minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Evanders #hat #trick #late #boost #Cincinnati #FireMay 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

Evander converted a penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a hat trick and lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

Evander collected a brace in the first half and then added his third goal for the late winner. A yellow card was issued to Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla for a foul in the box on Pavel Bucha, leading to the deciding penalty kick.

The winning goal came six minutes after Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers missed his own chance to complete a hat trick with a penalty-kick strike. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano (eight saves) made a huge save to deny Cuypers and preserve the 2-2 score.

FC Cincinnati (4-4-3, 15 points) won despite playing with only 10 men for most of the second half. Defender Kyle Smith was issued a straight red card in the 56th minute for an accidental kick to the face of the Fire’s Robin Lod.

Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last five (2-0-3) matches, including a 3-3 draw with the Fire two weeks prior.

The victory was Cincinnati’s first win in six road matches this season (1-3-2). FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Chicago.


The Fire (5-3-2, 17 points) have held leads in all three of their losses this season. Saturday’s defeat ended a five-match (4-0-1) unbeaten streak for the home side.

After going scoreless in his first six regular-season matches, Evander now has five goals in his last four matches.

Cuypers has 10 goals in seven league matches this season, scoring at least once in every appearance. Cuypers’ three straight matches with multiple goals ties the second-longest brace streak in MLS history.

The forward started early Saturday, as Cuypers converted a shot that deflected off Smith and into the net in the 16th minute.

Shaky defending also aided in Evander’s equalizer in the 24th minute. During a scramble in front of the Fire’s net, Chicago center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a poor touch on a clearance attempt that put the ball right at Evander’s feet for the finish.

Cuypers completed the brace four minutes later, but Evander provided another quick response in the 31st minute.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Evanders #hat #trick #late #boost #Cincinnati #Fire">Deadspin | Evander’s hat trick, late PK boost Cincinnati over Fire May 2, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images Evander converted a penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to secure a hat trick and lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 road win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday. Evander collected a brace in the first half and then added his third goal for the late winner. A yellow card was issued to Chicago’s Dje D’Avilla for a foul in the box on Pavel Bucha, leading to the deciding penalty kick. The winning goal came six minutes after Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers missed his own chance to complete a hat trick with a penalty-kick strike. Goalkeeper Roman Celentano (eight saves) made a huge save to deny Cuypers and preserve the 2-2 score. FC Cincinnati (4-4-3, 15 points) won despite playing with only 10 men for most of the second half. Defender Kyle Smith was issued a straight red card in the 56th minute for an accidental kick to the face of the Fire’s Robin Lod. Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last five (2-0-3) matches, including a 3-3 draw with the Fire two weeks prior. The victory was Cincinnati’s first win in six road matches this season (1-3-2). FC Cincinnati are 5-0-1 in their last six trips to Chicago. The Fire (5-3-2, 17 points) have held leads in all three of their losses this season. Saturday’s defeat ended a five-match (4-0-1) unbeaten streak for the home side. After going scoreless in his first six regular-season matches, Evander now has five goals in his last four matches. Cuypers has 10 goals in seven league matches this season, scoring at least once in every appearance. Cuypers’ three straight matches with multiple goals ties the second-longest brace streak in MLS history. The forward started early Saturday, as Cuypers converted a shot that deflected off Smith and into the net in the 16th minute. Shaky defending also aided in Evander’s equalizer in the 24th minute. During a scramble in front of the Fire’s net, Chicago center back Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a poor touch on a clearance attempt that put the ball right at Evander’s feet for the finish. Cuypers completed the brace four minutes later, but Evander provided another quick response in the 31st minute. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Evanders #hat #trick #late #boost #Cincinnati #Fire

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