Louis Varland keeps making the Blue Jays’ late innings look simple, and that matters a whole lot in a tight American League Wild Card race.
Toronto’s bullpen has been the difference-maker, and Varland has been the arm manager John Schneider trusts when the game is hanging in the balance. When Schneider reaches for his closer in the eighth or ninth with a lead, the finish line usually isn’t far away. That was on display again in game two of the three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre, when Varland worked a four-out save and picked up his 30th save of the season.
That save also locked in a notable bit of history for Toronto: back-to-back 30-save seasons from Blue Jays closers, with Jeff Hoffman finishing with 33 in 2025.
King Louis V 👑 #BlueJays50 pic.twitter.com/7lC4QS6ala
Varland has only blown one save all year, and that kind of reliability has put him on the move up the franchise’s single-season saves list. He’s now tied with Jeremy Accardo’s 2007 total of 18th all time. One more save would push him into a three-way tie for 15th with Miguel Batista in 2005, Billy Koch in 1999 and Mike Timlin in 1996.
The top of that Blue Jays list is still a long way off. Duane Ward owns the club record with 45 saves in 1993, while the most recent big season from a Toronto closer belongs to Roberto Osuna, who had 39 in 2019. If Varland gets to 36, he’d be the first Blue Jay to hit that number since Jordan Romano’s back-to-back 36-save seasons in 2022 and 2023.
And there should be chances left. With Toronto still playing enough close games to keep Varland in the mix, the final month of the season could give him plenty more save opportunities. Schneider has used other relievers in closing spots at times, but Varland has clearly separated himself as the best option in the bullpen.
His numbers back that up. Entering the series finale, Varland owned a 1.20 ERA across 67.2 innings with 83 strikeouts and a 0.99 WHIP.
The biggest reason he’s been so effective is simple: he doesn’t hand out free passes. He has walked just 18 batters this season, and the only time he issued more than one walk in an outing came back in May.
If Toronto finishes off the Royals on Thursday night, Varland could climb from 18th to 15th on the Blue Jays’ single-season saves leaderboard just as quickly as he broke into the top 20.
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Help may be on the way in the rotation soon, though, and it comes at a time when Toronto can use it most. Jameson Taillon is scheduled for a rehab start and could be back with the team next week, while rookie Trey Yesavage is still working back from knee surgery but has begun throwing and playing catch. Josh Smith is also progressing through rehab exercises and may be ready to begin rehab games soon, adding another name to a list the Blue Jays are watching closely as they wait for reinforcements. [Read more 🡒]
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Surez has long been known for his power, and his track record this season and beyond is exactly why he suddenly looks appealing. Toronto is reportedly considering a claim as it searches for more offense, and the question now is whether the front office is willing to move quickly enough to get involved before the opportunity disappears. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Face A Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Decision Fans Dread
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It is the kind of decision that carries real weight in a season where every lineup card gets scrutinized, because moving Guerrero lower would change the shape of the offense without necessarily solving the larger issue. Schneider has pointed out that a drop in the order could simply mean fewer chances at the plate, not less pressure or a quick fix, so the Jays are sticking with their star and hoping the approach eventually looks more like the version that has carried them before. [Read more 🡒]