Blue Jays' John Schneider Speaks on Current Clubhouse Energy

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Blue Jays' John Schneider Speaks on Current Clubhouse Energy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Andrew Jamieson | Last updated Sep 6, 2026 11:10 AM ET

All of a sudden, the Toronto Blue Jays are in postseason position.

With the Blue Jays’ 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, Toronto officially moved into a tie with the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot. Yet if the season ended today, the Blue Jays would be in the postseason by virtue of winning the head-to-head season series against the Guardians 4-2.

The reality is surprising, considering that Toronto sits just one game above .500 (72-71) and has gotten over that hump for the first time since April 3, when the Blue Jays were 4-3. Nonetheless, in a wide-open American League playoff picture, Toronto is playing its best baseball at the right time.

The Blue Jays have won seven of their last eight games and four consecutive road games. Their recent winning ways have changed the locker room dynamic and fueled belief, according to manager John Schneider.

“It feels different,” Schneider said. “Right now, we come to the park really expecting to win, and we’re not budging from that.”

John Schneider on the energy inside the #BlueJays‘ duhout and clubhouse right now:

“… It feels different. Right now, we come to the park really expecting to win and we’re not budging from that.”
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) September 6, 2026

Through July 28, the reigning American League champions looked dead in the water, sitting 10 games below .500 at 49-59. However, a 23-12 stretch since then has brought Toronto back into contention.

Since July 29, the Blue Jays’ offense has picked up its production, posting the second-highest batting average (.264) and sixth-highest on-base percentage (.327).

In particular, Brett Bateman, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs as part of the return for Kevin Gausman at the MLB trade deadline, has been a massive spark. Since being called up on August 7, the 24-year-old is hitting .327 with a .391 on-base percentage, four doubles, a triple, seven RBI, and three stolen bases over 24 games.

That’s a three-hit day for Brett Bateman ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6iubfXx6Gw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 3, 2026

That offensive uptick has complemented one of baseball’s best pitching staffs as of late. Toronto’s 3.12 ERA during that span is the fourth-best mark in the majors. That effort has been fueled by a revamped yet injury-riddled Blue Jays starting rotation, whose 2.94 ERA since July 29 is the third-lowest in MLB.

While Dylan Cease has continued to dominate, Toronto has received a big boost from pitchers like Max Scherzer , who has given up just five runs over 17.2 innings across his last three starts. Spencer Miles has also been a revelation for the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and has not allowed a run over his last 11 appearances.

Toronto’s 2026 season has been far from pretty after being just two outs away from a 2025 World Series championship. However, the Blue Jays are now in the best position they have been all season to try to recreate their postseason magic from last year.

Also in Toronto’s favor is that all 19 of their remaining games this season are against teams below .500.

The Blue Jays will look to complete the sweep in Kansas City on Sunday at 2:10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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