The defining moment came with two outs in the eighth inning. Down by two runs, with Rogers Centre holding its collective breath, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. connected with a hanging slider that sailed into the left-field seats. The two-run blast not only tied the game but ignited what would become the Toronto Blue Jays’ 45th comeback win of this remarkable 2024 season.
“These moments define championship-caliber teams,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider after the 5-3 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. “It’s not just about talent—it’s about believing you’re never out of a game.”
The win places Toronto in rare historical company. According to Baseball Reference statistics, only seven teams in MLB history have recorded 45 or more comeback victories in a single season. The 1989 Baltimore Orioles hold the all-time record with 48 such wins.
What makes this Blue Jays squad particularly resilient has been their late-inning heroics. Twenty-three of their comeback victories have come when trailing in the seventh inning or later, a testament to both their offensive firepower and bullpen stability.
Bo Bichette, who delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth following Guerrero’s home run, credits the team’s chemistry. “There’s no panic in this clubhouse,” Bichette explained. “When we’re down, guys are still laughing, still loose. That matters when the pressure’s highest.”
The Blue Jays’ comeback pattern has become something of a trademark during their push toward October baseball. They’ve won 14 games when trailing by three or more runs, including four when down by five or more—both leading marks across Major League Baseball this season.
Sports psychologist Dr. Melissa Weinberg, who has worked with several professional teams, sees something special in Toronto’s resilience. “Teams that consistently overcome deficits develop a psychological edge. They build what we call ‘comeback confidence’—an earned belief that no deficit is insurmountable,” she told me after observing several recent Blue Jays victories.
The numbers support this perspective. Toronto’s OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) jumps from .742 in innings 1-6 to an impressive .803 from the seventh inning onward. Their bullpen, meanwhile, boasts the American League’s third-best ERA at 3.21, allowing the offense time to mount these late rallies.
“We’ve got a two-part formula,” explained veteran pitcher Kevin Gausman. “Our relievers keep things close, and our bats never quit. Simple as that.”
Yesterday’s comeback followed a familiar script. Starter José Berríos surrendered three early runs before settling in to complete six solid innings. The bullpen then delivered three scoreless frames while the offense chipped away—first with a George Springer RBI double in the sixth, then the dramatic eighth-inning rally capped by Guerrero’s blast.
Toronto’s resiliency hasn’t gone unnoticed among their competition. “They’re the team nobody wants to face in October,” Rays manager Kevin Cash acknowledged. “Even when you think you’ve got them, you don’t. That’s the mark of a dangerous playoff team.”
The Blue Jays’ comeback prowess represents a dramatic shift from last season, when they ranked 22nd in MLB with just 29 come-from-behind victories. General Manager Ross Atkins points to strategic offseason moves that prioritized high-contact hitters and versatile relievers.
“We constructed this roster with late-game scenarios in mind,” Atkins said. “Players who can work counts, put the ball in play, and pitchers who can handle high-leverage situations. The results speak for themselves.”
Fan reaction has been equally enthusiastic. Rogers Centre attendance has surged 12% compared to this point last season, with the stadium reaching near-capacity for midweek games—unusual even during playoff races.
“You can’t leave early anymore,” laughed longtime season ticket holder Margot Stevens, 67, who’s attended Blue Jays games since the team’s inception. “I’ve learned my lesson after missing three walk-offs this summer. This team always has another comeback in them.”
The 45th comeback victory holds particular significance as Toronto strengthens its position in the wild card race. With 24 games remaining, they currently hold the second AL wild card spot, 1.5 games ahead of Boston and two games behind Baltimore for the top position.
The resilience has become so ingrained that players have developed their own terminology. Utility man Cavan Biggio revealed the team’s internal mantra: “We call it ‘staying in the fight.’ Doesn’t matter if we’re down one run or seven—the approach never changes.”
As the Blue Jays prepare for a crucial weekend series against division-leading New York, their comeback identity gives them a psychological edge that could prove valuable in October. History suggests teams with this profile often overperform in postseason scenarios, where late-game execution becomes paramount.
For a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2016, the 45 comeback victories represent more than just statistical curiosity—they embody a team finding its identity at precisely the right moment. Whether this translates to postseason success remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: counting out the 2024 Blue Jays before the final out has become a risky proposition.
