Blue Jays' Springer: Fans boo since 'they expect us to win, and that's fair'

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer said he understands why fans at the Rogers Centre showered his team with boos during Wednesday's ugly 10-0 loss to the Texas Rangers.

"They expect us to win, and that's fair," Springer said following the defeat, which dropped the Blue Jays out of a tie with the Seattle Mariners for the AL's final wild-card spot, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "Everybody understands that. There's nobody that wants to win more than us in this locker room.

"I don't think it's for lack of effort. I know that the guys in here are trying. We're doing our best. It may not seem that way because of the result. At the end of the day, it's understandable. Guys expect to play better. And I know the fans do, too."

Toronto has now lost the first three contests of the pivotal four-game series by a combined score of 26-7. The Rangers came into the series trailing the Blue Jays by 1.5 games after dropping 16 of 22 but now find themselves in the second wild-card position thanks to a five-game win streak.

"We appreciate (the fans) voicing their frustration when it is deserved," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun.

The star duo of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette has gone 1-for-23 so far in the series.

"Baseball's tough. You just want guys to be who they are, and I think that there've been some ebbs and flows with individuals," said Schneider, per Davidi. "There's been ebbs and flows with the team. And it seems to have happened, whether it's pitching or offence, at inopportune times.

"That's been the story of where we are at this point. But again, (we) have to continue to look forward, right? It's not all that bad. But I just think the inconsistencies have come at very inopportune times."

The Blue Jays will send ace Kevin Gausman to the mound Thursday in an attempt to avoid the four-game sweep. Toronto is just 1-5 versus Texas this season.