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Toronto Blue Jays Relievers on Pace to Make Lowly Franchise History in 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday as the much-maligned relief corps of the Jays continues its historic downturn.

Brady Farkas

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 31.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Zach Pop (56) throws against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 31. / Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
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The Toronto Blue Jays lost to the Baltimore Orioles 10-4 on Wednesday afternoon, falling to 50-59 on the season. The Jays, who are in last place in the American League East, are among the biggest disappointments in baseball this season.

After building a core that was supposed to win a championship, Toronto ended up dismantling several parts of its roster at the trade deadline, sending away Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier, Nate Pearson and Yimi Garcia.

Having moved multiple relievers, the remaining bullpen was in tatters on Wednesday in that loss, giving up six earned runs over four innings of work. With another lackluuster bullpen performance, the Blue Jays are on pace to make sad franchise history this year.

Per @StatsCentre on social media:

Worst single season earned run average by a bullpen in @BlueJays franchise history (1977-present):
5.09 in 2024 (Via relief pitching allowing 6 ER over 4 IP in this afternoon's 10-4 loss to the Orioles)
5.08 in 2004
5.07 in 2000
4.84 in 1979
4.71 in 2020
4.69 in 2003
4.68 in 1998

The 'pen has obviously been one of the trouble spots for this team, and it's been made worse by the continued injuries to All-Star closer Jordan Romano, who is likely to miss the rest of the season at this point. Furthermore, Erik Swanson hasn't been able to replicate his great 2023 and has spent much of the year in Triple-A.

The Blue Jays are off on Thursday and will take on the New York Yankees on Friday night. Kevin Gausman will pitch against former Yankee Marcus Stroman.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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