BASEBALL

Opinion: Blue Jays need a more effective Jeff Hoffman down the stretch

6 months ago - Sportingbase

In order for the Toronto Blue Jays to be effective down the stretch and into the postseason, they simply need more production from closer Jeff Hoffman of Latham, New York. It has not been an awful season for Hoffman. He has 30 saves, which is the third most in the American League. However, when you look at the statistics deeper, Hoffman has been a disappointment, especially when he is making $11 million per season.

Hoffman has blown seven saves this season, and has been susceptible to the long ball. He has given up 12 home runs this season in the ninth inning or later, which is a Blue Jays record according to The Score. Overall, Hoffman has given up 14 home runs in only 59 1/3 innings. That is a home run in almost every four innings pitched.

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The Blue Jays have still had an effective season despite their closer woes. They are at 81 wins and 59 losses, and lead the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox by three and a half games each for first place in the American League East. Remember, this Blue Jays team was dead last in the American League East in 2024 and have made significant progress as many of their offensive players have overachieved.

However, everyone knows that effective pitching is required for teams to be successful in the postseason. The leader in the bullpen is Hoffman. The Blue Jays need him to look back to see what he did better last season where he had an impressive earned run average of 2.17 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and make the necessary adjustments now.