The Toronto Blue Jays head into the May 22 finale against the San Diego Padres with confidence and momentum as they look to wrap up the series with a statement win and push themselves above .500 for the first time in weeks. Now 24–24 after a steady stretch of six wins in their last ten games, the Blue Jays are beginning to find rhythm on both sides of the ball. Their offense has shown marked improvement, particularly at home, where they’ve averaged over five runs per game during this recent run. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. remains the focal point of the lineup, batting .287 with timely power and a growing presence in clutch situations. Alongside him, Bo Bichette has rediscovered his offensive groove, providing consistency at the plate and leadership on the field. Emerging contributors like Davis Schneider and Alejandro Kirk have also helped balance the lineup, offering Toronto the kind of depth that was lacking earlier in the year. The Blue Jays’ power resurgence at Rogers Centre is reflected in a betting trend that shows the total has gone OVER in five of their last six home games—proof that this ballclub is back to generating runs and turning their home park into a legitimate advantage. On the mound for this game will be Bowden Francis, a right-hander who has quietly become one of the more dependable arms in the rotation.

Francis isn’t overpowering, but he’s effective at locating his pitches, minimizing walks, and working efficiently through lineups. Against a San Diego team that has scored three runs or fewer in multiple games during their current four-game skid, Francis will be tasked with keeping the ball in play, forcing ground balls, and getting through at least five solid innings to turn things over to the bullpen. The Toronto bullpen, anchored by Jordan Romano and supported by arms like Erik Swanson and Yimi García, has been solid when pitching with a lead, and they’ll be expected to shut the door if given a cushion late. Defensively, the Blue Jays have cleaned up many of the errors that plagued them in April, with strong infield defense from Matt Chapman and Bichette backing up their pitchers in high-leverage spots. More importantly, manager John Schneider has found a better balance in lineup construction and bullpen usage, allowing the club to thrive in close games and outlast opponents in high-scoring affairs. A win in this game would give Toronto a valuable series victory over a tough National League opponent and send them into their next set of matchups with both confidence and forward momentum. With Bowden Francis on the mound, the offense hot, and the bullpen rested, the Blue Jays are well-positioned to take advantage of a struggling Padres team and continue climbing the American League standings. If the offense delivers early and Francis keeps the Padres in check, Toronto could walk away from this series as one of the more quietly dangerous teams heading into the heart of the 2025 season.