Manager Schneider implores Jays to make playoff push 'right f-----g now'
Warning: Story/video contains coarse language
With the Toronto Blue Jays falling out of an American League wild-card spot due to their recent play against the first-place Baltimore Orioles, manager John Schneider is imploring his club to make hay against the weaker teams coming up on the schedule.
"There's no time to wait at all," Schneider said following another series loss to the Orioles on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath. "We've got to do it right fucking now."
Toronto's most recent loss put it 1.5 games back of the final AL wild-card spot, currently occupied by the Houston Astros. The Blue Jays and Orioles don't meet again for the remainder of the regular season, with Baltimore handily winning the season series 10-3.
Reporters pointed to Toronto's soft upcoming schedule to prompt Schneider's comments, as the Jays will take on a slew of sub-.500 teams and a run of last-place clubs over the next 15 games.
| Dates (Games) | Team | Current record |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 25-27 (3) | vs. Guardians | 60-68 |
| Aug. 28-30 (3) | vs. Nationals* | 59-69 |
| Sept.1-3 (3) | @ Rockies* | 48-79 |
| Sept. 4-6 (3) | @ Athletics* | 37-91 |
| Sept. 8-10 (3) | vs. Royals* | 41-88 |
* - last place in their division
Schneider's comments come after Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman also expressed a similar sentiment Wednesday, suggesting the team show more urgency.
The Blue Jays are 11-10 since the beginning of August. However, teams they're competing with for wild-card spots have performed better. The Seattle Mariners are 16-5, the Astros are 12-10, and the Texas Rangers are 12-9 this month.
Schneider is in his first full season as Jays manager since taking over as interim in the middle of the 2022 campaign after Charlie Montoyo was fired. The 43-year-old owns a 116-86 record at the helm.