Blue Jays recent disrespect online might be exactly what they need
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Victor William
Jan 30, 2026 (7:44 PM)
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Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays came within one agonizing run of a World Series title in Game 7, yet the betting markets are somehow sleeping on the defending American League champions.
It is baffling, it is disrespectful, and frankly, it is exactly what this clubhouse needs to reignite the fire.
According to the latest odds, Toronto is sitting at +1400 to win it all in 2026, ranking them sixth behind teams they just outlasted in October.
The narrative is fixated on what they lost rather than what they built.
Yes, Bo Bichette is gone to the Mets, and Kyle Tucker chose LA over Toronto.
But Ross Atkins didn't just sit in a dark room and cry about it.
He went out and signed Dylan Cease (Drafted Round 6, 2014 by Cubs) to a massive seven-year deal, instantly creating arguably the best rotation in the league alongside Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios.
Adding Kazuma Okamoto from Japan brings a power bat that could easily replicate the production they lost in the infield.
Disrespect is the most powerful performance enhancer
This team thrived on "us against the world" energy last year, and now they have a fresh supply.
When you look at the rotation depth with the addition of Cease and Cody Ponce, plus the bullpen reinforcement of Tyler Rogers, the floor of this team is incredibly high.
The media is obsessed with the Dodgers and Yankees, but Toronto has silently assembled a pitching staff that can shut down any lineup in a short series.
We saw it in the playoffs: pitching wins championships (or gets you to Game 7 extra innings).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still here, anchoring a lineup that now has a chip on its shoulder the size of the CN Tower.
Let the oddsmakers doubt them.
It just makes the payout sweeter when they finally finish the job this time around.
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