Blue Jays' Jesus Sanchez is poised to do things in Toronto that Marlins, Astros could not tap into
Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays https://x.com/BlueJays
For the first time this season, the Toronto Blue Jays have won two consecutive series.
A factor behind that success has been the emergence of Jesus Sanchez, along with a refined approach at the plate since being traded from the Houston Astros to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sanchez credits his performance this year to focusing on driving the ball up the middle, a shift from last season when he emphasized pulling it.
The adjustment has paid off, and the underlying numbers support the improvement.
That approach delivered again on Sunday.
That approach delivered again on Sunday.
Sanchez contributed a sacrifice fly and later launched a crucial two-run homer, helping power the Blue Jays to a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got things started in the sixth inning with his sixth double of the season.
Sánchez followed, falling behind 0-2 before battling back to a full count.
On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, he connected on a curveball and sent it 355 feet for a two-run home run, giving Toronto a 4-2 advantage.
Jesús Sánchez gives the Jays the lead with a two-run shot! 💥
The blast marked Sanchez’s first go-ahead homer as a Blue Jay and his first go-ahead long ball since Aug. 26, 2025, when he was with the Astros.
He also drove in a run earlier in the game with a sacrifice fly during Toronto’s two-run first inning.
Sanchez's new approach has proven to be an impactful.
Following the home run, he’s hitting .266/.315/.456 with four home runs and two doubles across 89 plate appearances. His 15 RBIs rank second on the team.
Toronto acquired Sanchez from Houston on Feb. 13 in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido. He spent last season split between the Astros and the Miami Marlins.
He attributes his strong start to eliminating a tendency from last season where he tried to pull the ball too often.
The Blue Jays have primarily deployed Sanchez against right-handed pitching, and the strategy has been effective.
For comparison, his .764 OPS versus right-handers slightly edges Guerrero Jr.’s .742 mark.
Following the win Sanchez to Sportsnet's Hazel Mae that having fun plaing the game means a lot to him.
"Have fun and enjoy the game. That's a big, big deal for me." Jesús Sánchez chats with @thehazelmae after hitting the go-ahead homer in the Jays' win over the Guardians.
Manager John Schneider spoke to reporters after the win about Sanchez’s upside and ability.
“He has damage potential,” Schneider said. “I think that against right-handed pitching, we like him a lot. “He’s understanding when to throttle it back. That at-bat was great. He was down 0-2 and battled. He got a hanger. He’s a talented man.”
Up next, the Blue Jays will open a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox, marking their first matchup against an American League East opponent this season.
Toronto right-hander Dylan Cease (1-0) is scheduled to start Monday’s opener at home, facing Boston lefty Ranger Suarez (1-2).
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