Blue Jays flame out against Red Sox in Boston

Starter Kevin Gausman received no run support in what could have been his final start in a Toronto uniform

Published Jul 26, 2026  •  4 minute read

Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on July 26, 2026 in Boston. Photo by Winslow Townson /GETTY IMAGES

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Once again, the fate of Kevin Gausman became the centre of attention in Sunday’s series rubber match against the host Boston Red Sox, a veteran righty whose time in Toronto is said to have reached its expiration date.

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The MLB trade deadline arrives on Aug. 3.

In the days leading up to deadline day, the Jays will be home to the St. Louis Cardinals with Gausman lined up to start.

His next scheduled start is Saturday.

His five-year deal with the Jays ends after this season; that much is known.

Gausman hasn’t been shy in telling everyone about his admiration for the city and the country.

At the end of the day, pro sports is a cruel business and no decision is based on emotion.

Gausman hasn’t shared his preference for even wanting to pitch beyond this season.

As they say, stay tuned.

Gausman pitched much better Sunday, at least compared to his most recent starts, in making his 147th regular-season start for the Jays.

Only time will tell if it was his last.

He did retire the last eight hitters he faced as Gausman gave the Jays six complete innings.

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Unfortunately, they gave Gausman no run support.

A sign held by a couple of Jays’ fans at Fenway Park might have said it all.

“Thanx Kevin,’’ it read.

The following are three takeaways on a day the Jays suffered a 6-1 loss to Boston as Toronto’s record dropped to 48-58, the club’s slim wild card hopes fading by the day.

1. Varsho and tell

A diving catch in centre field highlighted Daulton Varsho’s defensive skills, even though he hasn’t been as good this season as in past years.

A pending free agent, there’s no telling with the future holds for Varsho, whom the Jays acquired in late December 2022 from Arizona for outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno.

Polarizing would be too harsh a description when sizing up Varsho, at least from a fans’ perspective.

Streaky is an apt way to describe his hitting.

Arm strength is not one of Varsho’s main attributes, but he can still run down balls in the outfield.

He should draw interest from suitors with the Jays showing no signs they’ll win enough games to enter the conversation as legitimate playoff contenders.

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All they’ve shown is that they’re nothing more than pretenders.

2. Ranger is no stranger

Ranger Suarez’s groin issue prevented the crafty left-hander from representing the Red Sox at the all-star game staged this season in Philadelphia, his previous home before signing with Boston in free agency to a five-year deal worth $130 million.

When he faced the Jays in Toronto in late April, Suarez pitched eight shutout innings in leading the BoSox to a 5-0 win.

He gave up one hit, while recording 10 strikeouts.

In his second outing of the season against the Jays, Suarez struck out leadoff hitter Nathan Lukes on three pitches.

A leadoff single by George Springer in the second would be the first hit off Suarez.

A one-out double by Andres Gimenez in the third inning marked Toronto’s second hit, one more than Suarez allowed at Rogers Centre.

His slow curve is a thing of beauty, his ability to paint both sides of the plate among baseball’s best.

Keep in mind Suarez last pitched some three weeks ago.

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Lukes struck out swinging to begin the game and then became a victim of a called third strike to end the third inning.

Suarez would provide Boston with four shutout innings Sunday, pretty good for someone coming off the IL.

3. Trading season

The Red Sox and Nationals got the trade ball rolling by engineering a late Saturday deal, the kind of transaction that at least in theory addresses needs on both clubs.

It might serve as a blueprint for the Jays as they continue to contemplate every conceivable scenario in the next week.

As well as Boston has played, punctuated by its 15-game winning streak, a playoff spot is far from assured.

The Red Sox, it’s been no secret, need hitting and were willing to trade starting left-handed pitcher Connelly Early, who is currently on the IL and is under team control through 2031.

Washington sent corner infielder Curtis Mead, who is under team control through 2030.

Mead is not known for his glove, but his bat is intriguing, leading many to speculate he’ll supplant Caleb Durbin at the hot corner, necessitating a shift to second base by Durbin, a position he played in the minors.

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Boston visits Toronto next month for a four-game series as the clubs wrap up their season series.

The Mead acquisition might be the first of a handful of deals the AL East foes are likely to make before renewing their rivalry.

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Up Next

Blue Jays travel to Washington to face a Nationals team that has hovered around .500 in recent weeks, a club reportedly in both the sell and buy market, which might actually explain Toronto’s intention, heading into the looming trade deadline. One difference between the Nats and Jays is offence as reflected in Washington boasting baseball’s highest-scoring attack. Monday’s series opener in a three-game set is a scheduled 6:45 p.m. first pitch. The Jays hadn’t announced their starter as of Sunday. RHP Max Scherzer, who won a World Series with the Nationals in 2019, might be an option to come off the IL in the next few days.

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