Why the 2025 Blue Jays are still searching for their ‘true identity’

TAMPA, Fla.

Most MLB teams have a clear identity by the end of May.

Every time you flip on the television or step into the ballpark, you know what to expect.

The Toronto Blue Jays, over 50 games into the 2025 season, are not one of those known commodities.

Theyve swept three series and were swept three times.

Theyve had a five-game losing skid and a four-game win streak.

Toronto travelled to Tampa Bay following a commanding sweep of the Padres and immediately dropped all three contests to the Rays, now resting at 25-27.

Advertisement So far this year, the Jays have watched the tide rush in and push out repeatedly the water hasnt found its level.

The Blue Jays are in the mix, dancing around .500, but the teams identity remains entirely unknown.

I wouldnt say we have that identity figured out yet, pitcher Kevin Gausman said.

For teams like the Orioles and White Sox, the assessment is easy.

The method of defeat may change, but stacking losses makes it pretty clear what a team is.

The 2025 Blue Jays are not that obvious bottom-feeder theyve never been more than four games under .500.

But theyve never been more than four games above, either.

Toronto rests somewhere in the middle, one of the 28 teams between the Phillies and Rockies.

But tagging the Jays as simply average doesnt fully encapsulate the rollercoaster these first 52 games have been.

The Blue Jays drove in 24 runs in three games against the Padres last week.

They pitched two shutouts, won every contest and steamrolled a team that still sits in a postseason spot.

Three days later, the results couldnt contrast more.

Another one, thank you pic.twitter.com/UU3mTLQGEJ Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 25, 2025 Under the scorching sun of Tampa Bay, the Jays managed just two total runs in three games and lost the series by a combined 17 runs.

Within days of battering the Padres 14-0, Torontos biggest win of the season, the Jays were on the other side of a whooping.

They fell 13-0 to the Rays on Sunday, their largest loss.

Against the Padres, the Blue Jays played clean and let San Diego make the gaffes.

Against the Rays on Sunday, it was Toronto getting picked off at first, dropping balls in the outfield and allowing Tampa Bays starter to get out of an inning on just four pitches.

Over a week, the Blue Jays looked like two different teams.

Advertisement Its been a little strange, Gausman said.

You know, kind of gain some momentum and then kind of get back to where we were.

Torontos flashed glimpses of strengths, Gausman said elite defence, solid catching and a good bullpen.

None of those sparks have resulted in a larger consistency or an overall identity.

The Blue Jays tumult stems from playing to the level of their opponents, Gausman said, good or bad.

Its why the Jays can sweep potential playoff teams like the Mariners and drop contests to the Angels.

Eventually, the Jays will have to play to their level, once they decide what that is.

In terms of the highs and lows, we got to figure that out, manager John Schneider said.

We got to get better at being more consistent.

And I think when we do that, thats when you kind of see the true identity of who we are.

Maybe the rollercoaster continues for 162 games.

Amid a messy American League, turbulence could be the norm for Toronto this year.

But, at some point, the 2025 Blue Jays will likely proclaim who they are.

It just hasnt happened yet.

Injury Update The Blue Jays placed catcher Tyler Heineman on the seven-day injured list Sunday due to a concussion.

He reported symptoms Saturday after taking multiple foul balls off the mask against the Padres last week.

Toronto promoted backstop Ali Sanchez to the MLB squad, but it will continue to lean on Alejandro Kirk behind the plate with Heineman out.

(Photo of manager John Schneider: Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images).

This article has been shared from the original article on theathleticuk, here is the link to the original article.