Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman just made unfortunate franchise history
The Toronto Blue Jays have hit a late-season snag, and closing pitcher Jeff Hoffman is catching a lot of heat for the team’s struggles.
With 25 games remaining on the schedule, the Blue Jays’ AL East lead has now been cut to two games with the New York Yankees breathing down their necks. It hasn’t helped that Toronto has dropped four of its last six games in disappointing fashion.
Two of those losses came in the ninth inning with Hoffman failing to live up to his role as the Blue Jays’ closer. On Saturday night, he allowed three runs to score off three hits and two home runs, powering the Milwaukee Brewers to a 4-1 victory in Toronto.
That brought up Hoffman’s total to 12 home runs given up in the ninth inning or later this season, which broke an unfortunate franchise record.
Jeff Hoffman's 12 Home Runs allowed in the 9th inning or later is a Blue Jays single-season record
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) August 30, 2025
It’s clear that the 32-year-old New York native is struggling in his role, but it does appear that manager John Schnieder is intent on keeping him as the closer heading into the final stretch of the season.
Hoffman ranks fifth in the league with 29 saves on the season, but he also has seven blown saves, which is the third most in all of baseball.
Blue Jays fans at the Rogers Centre booed Hoffman off the field on Saturday after the dismal performance. After the game, the veteran pitcher addressed those boo birds with a surprising answer.
“Everybody is here to win, everybody wants to win, that’s a Blue Jays fan, so it’s understandable, that’s what happens when you’re on a good team,” Hoffman said of the booing. “People expect you to win every night. That’s good that they’re booing, I like that.”
Though things have gotten a bit too close for comfort in the AL East, the Blue Jays still sit atop the standings and hold the tiebreaker over the Yankees. It’ll be up to Hoffman and the rest of the bullpen to pull things together in time for the postseason.