Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) shakes hands with relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) after the victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

What Blue Jays Explosive 13-9 Win Over Reds Means For Playoffs

Originally posted on Stadium Rant | By Howe Fresh | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 4:02 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays wrapped up a series win over the Cincinnati Reds with an exhilarating 13-9 come-from-behind win last night. This game is more than just a high-scoring win; it illuminates their only chance of making the World Series. So, what can fans extract from this single game, and how did the team’s new number one starting pitcher fare in just his third MLB start since having Tommy John surgery? Stats and rankings provided by MLB.

The Blue Jays’ Game

The game started rough for Shane Bieber and the Blue Jays, giving up a five-spot in the second inning. Fans of yesteryear may have feared the early hole, but this year’s rendition has proven itself all season long. The team uplifted their starter by scoring in each following inning, including 18 hits and five home runs. Viewers also enjoyed a rebound performance from right fielder Addison Barger, who has cooled off lately. His night included four RBI and a homer. The other bats in the lineup did their part as well, as everyone with an AB reached base, showing why they have the best team OBP in MLB.

Blue Jays’ Playoff Path

As of the morning on September 4, 2025, the Blue Jays have a 3.5-game cushion atop the AL East. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have an equivalent hurdle to overcome, seemingly too much of a gap. They still have a series against each other, so it would likely take a sweep by one to even challenge Toronto for first.

The Blue Jays need to ride the bats if they truly have World Series Championship aspirations. Bieber gave up five in the second, but stayed in the game for four more scoreless innings. The embarrassing bullpen gave up four more runs, making this game closer than it needed to be. At the end of the day, the reliever’s 19th-ranked ERA is an issue.

Click here to catch up on the latest Bluerelieverliver to hit the IL.

End Of My Toronto Blue Jays Rant

Tenured fans’ hesitation to trust the bats is warranted, as they have let down the pitching staff over the last few seasons. The offense has proven results over a large enough sample to trust them, but is it enough for a championship?

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This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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