Blue Jays vs. Rangers Preview: Toronto really needs George Springer back as soon as possible

After losing the weekend series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays bounced back nicely by taking two of three from a strong Chicago Cubs team. In doing so, the Blue Jays have now expanded their AL East division lead to a full five games over the second-place Boston Red Sox.

Coming up next for Toronto is a matchup against another playoff contender. But this time, it will be one that is currently fighting for their playoff lives as the Texas Rangers come to town for a three-game weekend set starting Friday.

With the Jays’ sizeable lead in the AL East, it has significantly masked the fact that they actually really need star outfielder George Springer back as soon as possible. They may have continued to put up wins and maintained their distance from the Red Sox and New York Yankees, but looking at the stats more carefully would show the Jays have actually been struggling somewhat without Springer in the lineup.

Blue Jays vs. Rangers Preview: Toronto really needs George Springer back as soon as possible

Since Springer’s head injury back on July 28, Toronto has gone .500 with a pedestrian 8-8 record. Taking away their record-setting onslaught in the series against the Colorado Rockies, their offense hasn’t been as explosive, having posted more than five runs in a game only once in the other 13 contests.

Prior to Springer hitting the IL, the Jays were winners in eight of their previous 10 and 17 of their previous 22 matches in July, producing a greater than .773 winning percentage. Not only that, but Toronto was averaging more than six runs per game in the process. In addition, Springer was red hot at the time, hitting at a .384 clip with a 1.086 OPS, along with a whopping 29 runs scored, eight home runs and 25 RBIs in his last 30 games played.

But the impact of Springer goes beyond his numbers. The intangibles that he brings to every game, whether it be his leadership in the field and in the clubhouse, the emotions that he expresses after coming through with a big hit, or his relentless effort on every play that he makes has a tremendous positive effect on the Jays as a whole. 

Which was why when Springer had his rehab delayed in his recovery process, it was quite the cause for concern not only for Jays fans, but the entire Jays team as well. But now that he has finally received the clearance to return to action, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. 

As for the pitching matchups in the weekend series, the Blue Jays will have Chris Bassitt (11-6, 4.17 ERA) lead off against the Rangers’ ace Jacob deGrom (10-5, 2.86 ERA) on Friday. That will be followed by the duel between Eric Lauer (7-2, 2.82 ERA) of the Jays and Patrick Corbin (6-8, 4.00 ERA) of the Rangers. Finally, in the finale, Toronto will send José Berríos (9-4, 3.74 ERA) to the mound to face one of the best pitchers in the league this season in Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi (10-3, 1.71 ERA).

Hopefully, with Springer’s return on the horizon, he will eventually be back in full force for the Jays in the coming week to help the club get back to their crazy winning ways.