This Blue Jay can be pivotal x-factor in mix of 2025 postseason chase

At the 2021 MLB trade deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired José Berrios in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. While in Minnesota, Berrios was one of the team's top pitchers making the All-Star Game in 2018 and 2019. Since coming to Toronto, Berrios has yet to make an All-Star game, but he's been mostly effective during his tenure, but it hasn't gone without some struggles.

For instance, the Blue Jays made the postseason in 2022 when Berrios was worth -0.6 bWAR, and they were back in the postseason in 2023 when Berrios pitched to a 2.5 bWAR. However, the team was swept both times in the Wild Card series.

Now in 2025, things are looking up for the Blue Jays as they are in first place in the AL East and have the best record in baseball (63-42 through Saturday). With the Blue Jays eager to win their first division title in a decade, Berrios now has the perfect chance to find some consistency and be the x-factor the Blue Jays need.

Berrios will need to be x-factor for postseason chase

Berrios' first full season in Toronto in 2022 was a tough one as he finished with a 5.23 earned run average. He's bounced back tremendously over the past two seasons, averaging a 3.65 ERA or lower. Berrios has also been incredibly durable, making 32 starts every season from 2022-2024.

2025 started rough for Berrios when he allowed in six runs on Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles and after five starts into the 2025 season, he still had an ERA over 5.00 - but his work was improving as he went. By the end of May his ERA was down to 3.86 and he had racked up 65 strikeouts 70 innings pitched with 2.5 earned runs allowed per game.

He was downright dominant in the month of June, going 2-1 in five starts, pitching to a 1.97 ERA, giving up just seven earned runs, and striking out 24 batters in 32 innings pitched, allowing just two home runs. His opponents batting average-against was .205 and his WHIP was 1.00.

Berrios has also won three of his last four starts, including Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers. In the Blue Jays' 6-2 win, Berrios allowed two runs in six innings with six strikeouts. Pitching six strong innings against the AL Central leading Tigers should give him a huge confidence boost moving forward.

With his win on Friday, Berrios now has 7-4 record with a 3.83 ERA in 22 starts on the season. Berrios has also pitched 127 innings and struck out 108 hitters.

Berrios has a chance to show he can be more trusted in the starting rotation over off-season signing Max Scherzer. With Scherzer dealing with injuries and struggling in 2025, there might not be room for Scherzer on a potential October roster, but that is where Berrios can thrive.

The Blue Jays are the talk of Canada this Summer as they are having a solid turnaround season in 2025 after missing out on the postseason in 2024. Postseason baseball is something Canadians want to see for the third time in four years and Berrios can be a huge x-factor in making that happen.