Schneider says Blue Jays 'have to start winning' as offensive woes continue

Chicago White Sox second baseman Sam Antonacci, centre, throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out Toronto Blue Jays infielder Nathan Lukes (38) during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Sunday, July 19, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

TORONTO — Even the usually optimistic John Schneider was defeated by his Toronto Blue Jays’ offensive struggles in their first series returning from the All-Star break.

The Blue Jays (46-53) managed only five runs and 16 hits in their three-game set against the Chicago White Sox as Toronto was blanked for the seventh time in 2026 with a 3-0 loss in the rubber match on Sunday.

Schneider knows that with the American League-leading Tampa Bay Rays (56-41) arriving in town to begin a four-game series on Monday, there is urgency to turn the season around.

“I’ll be frustrated for about another hour, but I think tomorrow you move on to the Rays,” Schneider said. “That’s just how you have to do it.”

The Blue Jays manager admitted that the need to start winning has become a conversation in the clubhouse.

“Yeah, we talk about it,” Schneider said. “The players talk about it. You have to start winning. That’s just the bottom line, and it doesn’t really matter how you do it. If you win 1-0, if you win 10-9, you’ve got to start winning.”

On Sunday, the World Series finalists last fall received a mighty challenge from White Sox starter Sean Burke (7-4), who won for the fifth time in six road decisions with a two-hitter in 6 2/3 shutout innings. The Blue Jays didn’t get a runner past first base with Burke on the mound.

The lack of offence wasted a good performance from Trey Yesavage (4-5). He rebounded from an abysmal brief outing before the All-Star Game, in which he issued seven walks in 1 2/3 innings.

“We have to start playing quality baseball,” Yesavage said. “The pitchers have to put up zeros, and the hitters have to start scoring runs.”

This will not be an easy task against the Rays, who will go with righty Nick Martinez (8-2) against Toronto ace Dylan Cease (6-4) in the series opener.

“We know they can pitch,” Schneider said. “We know they play defence. They got three of the best hitters in the American League at the top of their order, and they’re not going to shoot themselves in the foot. So we’ve got to come ready. We’ve got to come in here tomorrow with a real sense of urgency, that tomorrow is the most important game of the year, and then move on to the next day. That’s it.

“We know them well. They know us well, and we know that they’re going to do the little things correctly, for the most part. They’re really well managed by Kev (Cash), and they got great pitching. So it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a tough series. But I think you have to come with the mentality that you expect to win every single day.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 19, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press