Not Baltimore anymore, now, it’s Toronto, too. A two-run lead in the ninth inning, victory smell, and then…poof. Another heartbreaking loss for the Blue Jays, leaving a foul taste and a fandom in ruins. Each painful detail felt sharper than the last, causing you to doubt everything—a season of gut punches for the Blue Jays Nation, demanding a front office change!

Watch the Blue Jays vs. Angels highlight if you want to know how a team can lose a game that was once in control. They gave up a 4-1 lead to the Los Angeles Angels and finally lost 5-4 on May 8, 2025. The man responsible? Jeff Hoffman.

Hoffman was brought on to preserve a two-run lead as the ninth inning began. However, he walked the nine-hitter on four pitches to start the inning and then gave up back-to-back singles, loading the bases with nobody out. Jorge Soler hit a three-run walk-off double into the left field corner one batter later. And the result? We all know.

When asked about the bullpen challenges, John Schneider replied,  “We’ve been operating with three round wheels and one square wheel..it’s not quite there, and when it gets there, you forget about this..right now, you want to try to just get the hell out of here, go to bed, wake up and start all over.” And fans are not happy with the decisions. They want an answer, they want change!

Seeing their team losing back-to-back games has ignited the reactions even more. It’s a collective sigh of “we are done with him.”

When questioned about Hoffman’s performance, Schneider even defended him, “That’s a tough one, but Hoff’s going to be good for us the whole year. This is a (crappy) stretch. This is a tough stretch. Guys are feeling it, but we’re in a position to win every game. Hoff is such a big part of what we’re doing this year and for years to come. It happens to closers. It sucks when it happens back to back. Tough couple outings, but he’s been lights out for us.”

Well, there were hints of what the Blue Jays could win. A successful seventh inning in which Bo Bichette drove in two runs with a single gave the Blue Jays a nice three-run cushion going into the bottom of the ninth. Jose Berrios struck out nine batters and only allowed two runs over six-plus innings, putting in a great showing on the mound. In the next innings, relievers Yariel Rodriguez and Brendon Little kept the Angels scoreless. Still, they lost.

Also, feels like, the team’s injuries also significantly contributed to these sudden losses. And if this goes on, John Schneider and the Blue Jays’ problems will not end anytime soon. 

The impact of injuries: A season marred by setbacks

A run of injuries, especially among their pitching staff, has greatly affected the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2025 season. Veteran ace Max Scherzer, signed to a one-year, $15.5 million contract, has been sidelined since his start on March 29 due to right thumb irritation. Though he has lately improved by throwing 20 pitches, he is still on the 60-day injury list and cannot return until at least May 29.

Setbacks have also afflicted the bullpen, especially with right-hander Erik Swanson on the 60-day IL because of a forearm ailment. With a lifetime 3.97 ERA, Swanson was anticipated to be a major contributor in late-inning scenarios.

Now, the Blue Jays have included right-handers Spencer Turnbull and José Ureña to their roster in reaction to these injuries to strengthen pitching depth.

Then, there is former All-Star Alek Manoah, too. His Tommy John surgery added even more difficulty for the club as he is projected to be sidelined until at least August. Top pitching prospects Ricky Tiedemann and TJ Brock are also recovering from TJ. And Tiedemann may return late in the season, while Brock stays out all year.

These woes have made the Blue Jays depend on less seasoned pitchers and change their bullpen and rotation plans. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the squad stays determined to fight in the tough AL East division, believing that the inevitable return of essential players will strengthen their postseason hopes.

At the end, only one question lingers: How long will this continue?