Nathan Lukes providing Blue Jays momentum in wild-card race

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Nathan Lukes. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Nathan Lukes providing Blue Jays momentum in wild-card race

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Aug 28, 2026 10:29 PM ET

Don't look now, but Nathan Lukes has four home runs, nine RBI and a remarkable 1.218 OPS in his last seven games for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Lukes helped extend the Blue Jays' lead against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night with a solo bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning to make it 4-1. The Blue Jays went on to take Game 1 of the series (8-1) following a 13-2 blowout against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.

He now has 10 home runs this season and joins George Springer and Kazuma Okamoto as the only two other Blue Jays players to have 10-plus home runs this season.

Following a base-running error on Wednesday, the outfielder made up for it by crushing a three-run shot that was the game-winner in a 3-0 victory over the Royals. Following the win, Lukes responded to his redemption home run, stating, "You can't screw up baserunning if you just hit the ball over the fence.''

Nathan Lukes has 4 HR and 9 RBI over his last 7 games! pic.twitter.com/1O5t8s0cUI
— MLB (@MLB) August 29, 2026

Nathan Lukes has been locked in at the plate

When Lukes isn't flashing the leather in the outfield by making dynamite grabs and throws, he's providing momentum with his bat, which has come at a pivotal time down the stretch.

The outfielder has been seeing the ball really well, providing clutch power in the middle of the lineup and batting .333 in his last seven games.

The 32-year-old is already on pace to surpass his home run total from last season (12), and his ability to provide consistent extra-base hits has made him a valuable player this season. His squared-up rate sits in the 83rd percentile at 28.9%, paired with solid plate discipline, logging a 15% strikeout rate that also ranks in the 83rd percentile.

Lukes has been gifting Blue Jays fans with the hope of the team claiming a final AL wild-card spot in a dog-eat-dog race. The Mariners have now dropped to seven games under .500, and if the Blue Jays can win the series against them, it will help to offset the series loss to the Royals and keep their postseason hopes alive.

All things considered, with Lukes finding his power surge, if he can continue to provide clutch at-bats with insurance runs, it will go a long way for a Blue Jays team that's lacked consistency with their power output.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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