'This is his game': Biggio's resurgence leading Blue Jays in WC race

NEW YORK -- Once upon a time, you couldn’t mention Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette in the same sentence without adding three extra words:

“... and Cavan Biggio.”

They were handcuffed together, a trio of second-generation saviors for an organization transitioning from the José Bautista Era to something new. Biggio kept his name in that sentence for two seasons, then he fell out of it entirely, but he’s finally back, thriving in the role that’s made sense all along.

“This is his game: swinging at good pitches and getting on base,” manager John Schneider said of Biggio. “He’s been right in the middle of it the last couple of weeks. This is what Cavan can be and what he has been for a number of years.”

Tuesday night’s 7-1 win over the Yankees kept the Blue Jays’ momentum tumbling forward, and Biggio was at the forefront, driving in the go-ahead run on a 2-for-5 night at Yankee Stadium.

• Games remaining (11): at NYY (2), at TB (3), vs. NYY (3), vs. TB (3)
• Standings update: The Blue Jays are one game ahead of the Rangers and the Mariners, currently holding the second AL Wild Card spot. Texas beat Boston and Seattle defeated Oakland on Tuesday night.
• Tiebreakers: Lose vs. Texas; win vs. Houston; lose vs. Seattle

Bichette launched a two-run homer and Guerrero, coming off homers in three consecutive games in the last homestand, reached base twice on errors. But you’ve seen that before. Biggio’s recent run is something new, and it is something that this club truly needs.

With Guerrero as the DH on Tuesday, Biggio got the start at first base, which is one corner of his defensive profile. The 28-year-old Biggio has played regularly at second and third, mixing in 22 starts in right field and even sliding over to shortstop for one inning in late August. This is born out of versatility and necessity, but there’s also a level of trust involved from Schneider.

Back in April, when Biggio was off to a dreadful start, it looked like his 2021-22 seasons (.213 average, .673 OPS) were warning signs of further decline. Schneider knows Biggio well, though, going back to their days in the Minor Leagues together. He pulled Biggio aside one day.

“'Dude, I'm never going to give up on you,'” Schneider told him. “'No one is.'”

There are reasons for that, and there are reasons why the Blue Jays didn’t move on from Biggio at his lowest.

How the public viewed Biggio in early 2023 and how the Blue Jays view him internally couldn’t be further apart. There’s not even a direct flight between the two points. This organization loves what the utility man brings with his mental game and intangibles, but those can’t stand alone. Having results to back them up makes this whole thing work.

“It’s been amazing,” said Bichette, lighting up at the opportunity to praise his teammate. “Really. He’s been unbelievable, one of our best players. He’s consistent. There’s big hits against any pitcher. It’s been awesome to see what he’s doing. I’m super excited for him.”

Bichette was also quick to focus on Biggio’s confidence. You hear that from many around this team, and it’s coming through in his play.

There’s been no sudden swing or grandiose turnaround, but if you chop off Biggio’s April to forget, he’s hit .263 with a .777 OPS. His .363 on-base percentage over that span is important, too, for a hitter who might have the best eye for the zone on this roster.

“I’m making it me,” Biggio said, “and making it more a part of myself. What I can handle and what I can’t handle. The thing I notice is that I’m able to handle a lot more pitches. One of the biggest things for me, when I get to two strikes, I’m really trying to put the team first and commit to being late on a fastball or on time for an offspeed pitch.”

There’s still a secret sauce to all of this, though, and Biggio has a great feel for his own team. Even as a rookie, he seemed like a 24-year-old veteran, but in his fifth season, he has the experience to back it up.

It’s not the Blue Jays’ pitching or defense that excite Biggio most, but the culture they’ve built. Earlier on Tuesday, he and Davis Schneider spoke about that, and how important a strong clubhouse was to the rookie’s early success.

“I think that’s the biggest thing: culture. As a team, to win the World Series you have to have that,” Biggio said. “It’s the most important thing. Baseball is behind that. This group is the closest group by far, for me, that I’ve ever been with.”

Biggio has always been part of that culture. Now, he’s part of it translating into wins once again.