Blue Jays manager John Schneider says sky isn't falling as slump persists

Toronto — The Blue Jays’ season remains in playoff contention, but manager John Schneider said the sky isn’t falling after a 7-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre, a defeat that capped a rough stretch in which Toronto has dropped six of seven. The New York Yankees also won their fourth straight, pulling even with Toronto in the tight race for the American League East with four games left in the regular season.

"It feels like the sky is falling right now and it’s f--king not," Schneider said. "We’ve got 90 wins, we’re in the playoffs and if the season ended today we’re winning the AL East. I want them to come in and not press. I want them to play confident."

Schneider also tried to deflate any blame on the umpires after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ejected in Wednesday’s game following words with umpire Gabe Morales, and after George Springer vented over two controversial calls the day prior. The manager said bluntly that the club isn't losing because of the umpires; "First and foremost, we’re not losing because of umpires. Let’s just get that out there. We’re losing because we’re not scoring enough runs."

Off offensively, Toronto has struggled. In Wednesday's 7-1 loss to the Red Sox, the Jays produced just one run for the second straight game. It marked the sixth time in seven games that Toronto failed to score more than one run in a loss, underscoring a run-production problem as the stretch run nears.

With four games remaining, both the Blue Jays and Yankees still have postseason incentives to chase. Toronto has kept at least a wild-card berth and has 90 wins, which in practice would place them as division contenders if the season ended today, Schneider noted. "We’ve got 90 wins, we’re in the playoffs and if the season ended today we’re winning the AL East," he said. But the division remains in play and Toronto is trying to separate before the postseason begins.

The road ahead includes four games against divisional rivals, and the Jays will need improved offense and sharper execution to secure the best possible seed. The club has repeatedly stressed confidence and composure, and Schneider said he wants his players to avoid pressing as they finish the schedule.