The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the most surprising stories in baseball this season, becoming the first American League team to officially clinch a postseason berth. For much of the year, they looked like legitimate World Series contenders, blending strong pitching with timely hitting. But as October approaches, cracks have begun to show.
Injuries to key players, an untimely slump, and inconsistent bullpen performances have raised questions about whether Toronto can sustain its early-season momentum and make a deep playoff run. The path to a championship is never easy, but for the Blue Jays, a few specific players will ultimately determine whether this team has enough to capture the World Series crown.
Here are three players who could make or break Toronto’s chances in the postseason.
1. Jeff Hoffman: The Unpredictable Closer
Few players on the Blue Jays’ roster have been as polarizing in 2025 as Jeff Hoffman. On paper, his numbers look respectable: 32 saves, with flashes of dominance. But the problem lies in the inconsistency. Seven blown saves and multiple rough outings in high-leverage spots have made him a constant source of anxiety for fans.
Toronto manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker have continued to show confidence in Hoffman, believing he can work through his struggles with consistent usage. And in fairness, that patience has paid off recently—over his last seven appearances, Hoffman has allowed just one earned run and three hits across 6.2 innings.
The challenge, however, is trusting that this version of Hoffman will show up in October. In postseason baseball, every pitch is magnified, and a shaky closer can derail a team’s chances in a matter of innings. If Hoffman can replicate his recent form and lock down games, Toronto’s bullpen concerns won’t look so dire. If not, the Jays may find themselves on the wrong side of heartbreak.
2. Bo Bichette: The Offensive Catalyst
There’s no denying that Bo Bichette is the heartbeat of the Blue Jays’ offense. Even after missing the past two weeks with a knee injury, he still leads the American League in hits (181) and doubles (44). His ability to hit for average, drive the ball into the gaps, and consistently produce at the plate makes him one of the most reliable bats in baseball.
The problem is that without Bichette in the lineup, the rest of Toronto’s offense has looked exposed. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Addison Barger, and Alejandro Kirk have all seen their production dip in his absence. Opposing pitchers no longer have to worry about facing Bichette in the heart of the order, and that’s allowed them to attack the rest of the lineup more aggressively.
If Bichette can return for the postseason at or near full strength, Toronto’s lineup becomes much more balanced and dangerous. His presence impacts not just his own numbers, but also the confidence and pitch selection of those hitting around him. If he’s limited or ineffective, the Jays’ chances of making a deep run will take a massive hit.
3. Anthony Santander: The Midseason “Acquisition”
At the trade deadline, the Blue Jays didn’t make a splashy move for a big bat, and at the time, that raised some eyebrows. But the organization may have been banking on the return of Anthony Santander, who missed most of the season with a shoulder injury.
Santander was recently activated from the injured list, and while he hasn’t had much time to shake off the rust, his track record speaks for itself. A proven power hitter, he has the ability to lengthen the lineup and give Toronto another dangerous option in the middle of the order. In many ways, his return is the equivalent of making a major trade acquisition without having to give up prospects.
The key will be how quickly Santander can regain his timing. If he finds his groove at the plate, he could be the difference-maker Toronto needs to cover for Bichette’s injury and offset the offense’s recent struggles. If he doesn’t, the Blue Jays could find themselves too reliant on Guerrero Jr. and a few other streaky bats.
Final Thoughts
The Toronto Blue Jays have already defied expectations this season, but their ultimate goal is to win the World Series. Whether they can actually pull it off will come down to a handful of players. Jeff Hoffman needs to lock down the ninth inning, Bo Bichette must get back to being the offensive engine of the team, and Anthony Santander has to provide much-needed power and depth in the lineup.
If those three step up when it matters most, Toronto has a legitimate chance to make a magical October run. If they falter, the Blue Jays’ season could end sooner than expected, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.