How Daulton Varsho’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Measures Up in Blue Jays History
The Toronto Blue Jays are off on Thursday night, but they are undoubtedly still buzzing because of Wednesday night’s walk-off grand slam against the Tampa Bay Rays.
On the surface, it was one win in May that helped avoid a disappointing sweep at home.
Beneath the surface, the Daulton Varsho game-winning blast might be the catalyst to get the Blue Jays going again. The injuries have ravaged the roster and the offense has cratered in spots, putting the Blue Jays at 19-24, but that’s the kind of win that can hopefully galvanize the dugout and clubhouse.
Varsho’s blast also put him in some rare team history, as noted by StatsCentre:
Varsho, 29, is a seven-year veteran of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. He was acquired by the Blue Jays before the 2023 season after hitting 27 home runs in 2022. Though he’s never repeated that number, he does have two 20-homer seasons in his Jays tenure so far despite battling injuries.
Varsho also won a Gold Glove Award in 2024 for his premium outfield play.
He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season.
Up next for Toronto
The Jays will battle with the Detroit Tigers on Friday night for the start of a weekend series in Detroit.
First pitch on Friday is set for 6:45 p.m. ET as rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.68 ERA) pitches against Ty Madden (0-0, 2.45 ERA).
Like Toronto, Detroit has experienced significant injury attrition, including losing back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal because of arm problems.
The Tigers, who advanced to the American League Division Series last season, are just 19-25 and in last place in the American League Central.
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Daulton Varsho’s walk-off grand slam is biggest swing of Blue Jays season
Daulton Varsho’s walk-off grand slam is biggest swing of Blue Jays season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays were on the verge of losing to the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays, again.
It was going to be just another example that, at least in the early going, the Jays have been a bit off the pace in the challenging division.
Instead, Daulton Varsho stepped into the box down two with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th.
And he lined a walk-off grand slam.
It was a rare opposite field blast for Varsho, and it was made all the better by being caught in the bullpen by Blue Jays reliever Yariel Rodriguez:
It’s about as special a moment as Varsho could’ve drawn up for mid-May.
The Blue Jays have had a big of an early-season hangover after making it to Game 7 of the World Series last season.
Injuries haven’t helped. Losing Bo Bichette maybe wasn’t ideal, either.
The Blue Jays didn’t start last season strong either, though, and so maybe they just needed a moment to start the turnaround.
This certainly feels like that moment.