6 Blue Jays players to thank for their recent winning ways

Bullpen duo: Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano

Throughout the 2023 season, the Jays’ bullpen have had their ups and downs, with key relievers that were normally reliable having bouts of mediocrity. Consequently, no lead by the Jays felt safe even when they headed into the final couple of innings with a good-sized lead in any game. However, during this recent winning stretch by the Jays, many victories were secured in tight games as a result of both Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano stepping up their game to lock down the win for the team.

Swanson was enduring one of his worst stretch of the season prior to the players-only meeting on May 25th, as he surrendered two runs in each of his previous three outings. But following the team meeting, he has been lights out since then, as in seven appearances, he has yet to give up a single run, to go along with one hit, two walks and 10 strikeouts with six holds and one save in 7.2 innings pitched. Romano has done his part as well, in tandem with Swanson, having saved seven consecutive games since May 25th, giving up only one run and striking out eight in seven innings pitched.

Together, the bullpen dynamic duo is bringing back Duane Ward and Tom Henke vibes back in the 1990s when practically the game is over whenever the Jays had a lead going into the eighth inning in any game. Hopefully, the present duo of Swanson and Romano will be just as intimidating and unstoppable as Ward and Henke were to help lead the Jays to sustained success this season and beyond.