Varsho, Bichette push Blue Jays closer to full potential

KANSAS CITY -- The strong, silent type never goes out of style.

Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette are serious, straightforward players. They’d rather talk about their teammates than themselves. They’ll participate in the choreographed dugout dances, but it looks like they’ve been brought to a nightclub by their younger coworkers. They’ve got work in the morning.

They let their games speak for them, and it’s getting awfully loud. Varsho and Bichette provided all the offense in the Blue Jays’ 5-3 win over the Royals with just two swings. In Varsho, you might be watching the story of the season putting down roots. In Bichette, there’s a star stepping back into the spotlight.

Bichette’s bases-clearing triple in the third came at such a crucial point, right when it felt like the game could tip back against the Blue Jays if they didn’t kick the door down. The swing was a Bichette classic -- like a tennis backhand -- that shot the ball into right-center with a spin that just kept running away from the outfielder in pursuit. As Bichette bowled into third, his helmet long gone, he slammed his hands together three times -- one for each run scored -- and stared in at the dugout.

“Bo’s swing is getting pretty damn good,” said John Schneider. “We got [Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s] walk to load the bases, then just a really good at-bat from Bo. It’s good to see the emotion out of him, too. He’s one of the best hitters in the league. Everyone knows that. Huge hit.”

This is the version of Bichette that changes the Blue Jays’ identity. This is the version that changes games, but we haven’t seen much of that early on. Bichette entered batting just .241 with a .641 OPS, miles from what he’s capable of, but we also know that few hitters are capable of a hot streak like Bichette is.

One of those people, evidently, is Varsho. Already one of the best defensive outfielders on the planet -- if not the very best -- Varsho has homered six times in 10 games. Monday’s was a 406-foot shot to right, another no-doubter off the bat.

Varsho is so beloved in that clubhouse and dugout. His teammates see how much he cares, even though his 2023 season didn’t go exactly his way at the plate. They’re dying to see him succeed, and he’s giving it to them.

“He works really hard behind the scenes, even on our team flights,” Yusei Kikuchi said through a club interpreter. “He’s watching videos and analyzing his own swing. He’s trying to get advice from other players like Bo and George [Springer]. It’s all of the hard work behind the scenes paying off right now. I’m really happy to see him succeeding right now."

The Blue Jays just keep winning series after series, but haven’t scored more than five runs in a game since April 6 against the Yankees, and that was in a loss. The last time they topped five runs in a win was all the way back in their opening series against the Rays, a 9-2 victory, on March 31.

They’ve survived, for the most part, on pitching. Kikuchi has been spectacular, and after six innings of two-run ball Monday he owns a 2.28 ERA. There were some early wobbles for this group, but with the rotation settled in and the Blue Jays’ bullpen back to full strength, they’re built to win tight games -- it’s just not Plan A.

Eventually, this team needs to drop a dozen runs on someone, which shouldn’t take much if there are individual efforts like these each night.

“The way we’re competing is really fun to be a part of,” Bichette said, “especially with me not really doing everything I can -- Vladdy as well and George, too. Guys are stepping up and helping this team win. It’s really fun to be a part of.”

It’s a classic comment from Bichette. He doesn’t say much, and it’s often hidden behind the recurring themes like “competing”, but there’s so much value in each word Bichette says.

He’s right. The Blue Jays haven’t gotten the full version of Bichette yet, and when you look at the top of that lineup, you’ll see Springer batting .198. Right behind him is Vladdy, batting .230 with little power. The usual suspects aren’t the ones powering these wins.

This won’t last forever, though, and when this trio turns around, that’s when the tidal wave will come.