This ugly trend is starting to define the Blue Jays' season

On Sunday, when the Toronto Blue Jays gave up a run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers, it was the seventh consecutive game in which Toronto has yielded runs during their opponent’s first trip to the plate. In total, the Blue Jays have been outscored 14-1 in the first inning in their previous seven contests.

That, unfortunately, has become a far too common occurrence that has been haunting the Blue Jays in 2026. How bad have things been for Toronto? Bad enough that they have been one of the worst first inning teams in the entire MLB this season.

 Can the Blue Jays afford to keep having slow starts to their games?

According to Sportsnet Stats, the Blue Jays entered Sunday ranked 24th in ERA (5.27) and 22nd in WHIP (1.45) during the first inning. What perhaps made things even worse was the fact that at the same time, the Jays offense often had slow starts to their game, ranking 27th in runs per game (0.39) and 21st in slugging percentage (.395) in their own half of the first inning.

Surprisingly, somehow and some way, the Blue Jays have had 20 come-from-behind wins to date this year, tying them for ninth among the 30 MLB teams. That just so happens to replicate the magic formula from the 2025 season. If it hadn’t been for some heroics in rallying later in the game, their record could have been much worse than where they are today at 39-45 (going into Jun. 29).

With Toronto frequently letting opposing teams get a jump on them coming out of the gate, adding to the fact that they often haven't been able to have a quick response of their own, that worrisome trend is definitely a recipe for disaster for any contending team looking.

These previous two series against the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers should habe been a jumping off point for Toronto. Playing at home, against two teams that were below .500 and the fact the Blue Jays got Shane Bieber back into the rotation should have been a spark to begin to make a charge. However, they have gone 1-6 so far, with Bo Bichette and the struggling New York Mets rolling into town for a three-game series.

Bichette and the Mets have also been bad so it gives the opportunity for the Blue Jays to try and buck that trend. That is because the Mets have also been one of the worst first inning teams in the league as well, ranking 23rd in the league in runs per game at 0.50. Also, with Bichette making his return to Toronto, it is time for the Jays to make a statement. They need to prove to themselves that they can win without their former star shortstop. One way to accomplish it is to finally get the upper hand right away from the first inning.

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