The slunk meekly into the off-season, once again not putting up much of a fight against the 100-loss Miami Marlins, losing 3-1 at the Rogers Centre on the season’s final day. Their horrible 2024 ended with some kind of whimper: a three-game sweep at the hands of one of baseball’s worst teams, outscored by a combined 26-7 while managing just eight hits over the final two games. A promising 16-12 August, buoyed by the youth movement that was a result of purging eight veterans before the trade deadline, gave way to a 7-17 September as the Jays finished 74-88.
It was the first time they’ve posted a losing record since a 95-loss 2019 and their first last-place finish since 2013. “Not the way we wanted to (finish), obviously,” Jays manager John Schneider said, “in terms of wins, losses, certain things offensively and on the mound.” So, you know, everything.
The disappointment of the season could be neatly summed up in the first inning alone. Opener Ryan Burr allowed singles to three of the first four hitters he faced, all on the ground, the last one knocked down by diving shortstop Ernie Clement but trickling away far enough to score a pair of runs. In the bottom of the frame, the Jays loaded the bases with nobody out on a walk, a infield single and a walk, but they did not score.
They only managed one more hit until the seventh inning. In true 2024 Jays fashion, their one hit with a runner in scoring position — a Steward Berroa single in the seventh with Luis de lo.