PHILADELPHIA — Bowden Francis’s ongoing struggles continued during Saturday’s game as the Toronto Blue Jays fell 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The right-handed pitcher has been under intense scrutiny amid a difficult two-month stretch, and this latest outing did little to ease concerns about his performance.
Max Kepler’s eighth-inning solo home run off reliever Chad Green broke the tie and secured the Phillies’ second consecutive win over Toronto, amplifying pressure on Francis as the Blue Jays seek stability in their rotation.
Early Promising Signs Fade as Francis Loses Command in Fourth Inning
Francis began the game effectively, retiring 11 of the first 12 batters he faced and showing signs of control that had been missing in recent starts. However, with two outs in the fourth inning, his performance dramatically unraveled. A sequence of baserunners—two walks, two hit-by-pitches, and another walk—forced manager John Schneider to remove him from the game, turning the contest in Philadelphia’s favor.
Francis reflected on his loss of rhythm, saying,
“Just felt like [I] got out of rhythm, kind of lost feel. And then it just kind of snowballed.”
—Bowden Francis
The pitcher had reintroduced a two-seam fastball in an effort to add variety for opposing hitters, an approach that worked early on but ultimately contributed to his control issues in the fourth inning.
Coaching Staff Highlights Positive Elements Amid Setbacks
Despite the setback, both Francis and Schneider pointed to encouraging aspects of the start, including improvements in Francis’s delivery, precise fastball and splitter location, and mental toughness when trailing in the count. These components are seen as potential building blocks as he works to reverse his recent struggles.
The right-hander’s recent performance metrics remain a concern, having pitched beyond the sixth inning only once in his last ten starts and maintaining a 6.05 ERA, ranking among the poorest in Major League Baseball among pitchers with at least 60 innings.
Manager John Schneider emphasized his ongoing confidence in Francis’s character and approach, stating,
“He was the same way when he was rolling last year. He’s present with what he’s doing and has confidence in himself. I think you start to worry if a guy’s kind of like turtling up in a corner. He’s not doing that and he’s open to working and seeing what he can do to get better.”
—John Schneider
Manager Affirms Commitment to Francis Despite Mounting Pressure
When asked whether Francis should remain in the starting rotation, Schneider was emphatic about the pitcher’s value and determination.
“Yeah, we need him,”
the manager said,
“And he’s working his ass off with [pitching coach] Pete [Walker]. He’s got to take what he did before the walks there in the fourth inning and kind of build off of it. We’re going to need him to keep making adjustments.”
—John Schneider
This support is critical as the Blue Jays navigate a challenging stretch. The team’s record in Francis’s starts since April 23 sits at 2-8, and the rotation has, in effect, operated with only three reliable pitchers due to Francis’s struggles and Max Scherzer’s injury absence.
Rotation Struggles Compound as Blue Jays Await Scherzer’s Return
Scherzer, sidelined by a thumb issue, made progress with a rehab outing for the Buffalo Bisons the night before the Philadelphia game and joined the Blue Jays Saturday morning. Schneider described Scherzer’s condition as positive and noted the typical post-throwing fatigue was present but no concerning symptoms.
He said,
“We always kind of take it like a day at a time, really, after he throws. But, I think this would probably be a little bit better than what has been. So, don’t want to speak for him — I know he always leaves a little caveat to be determined — but so far, so good. No red flags.”
—John Schneider
Scherzer is scheduled to throw a side session on Sunday and then aim for a more extended appearance in Worcester on Wednesday, where the goal is to pitch 70-75 innings as part of his recovery.
Teammates Rally Behind Francis During Difficult Season
Throughout Francis’s struggles, the Blue Jays’ pitching staff has shown solidarity and encouragement. Chris Bassitt notably advocated for allowing Francis to work through his difficulties without being removed from the rotation.
Francis expressed gratitude for the support, visibly moved as he responded,
“Kind of speechless when you talk about it like that. It’s been a battle, but they have been there for me. It’s been huge.”
—Bowden Francis
He continued,
“Just the way they have my back when I’m grinding [at] my [lowest]. The staff, everyone. There’s a lot of big hearts here. And they help you through moments like these.”
—Bowden Francis
Outlook for Blue Jays Rotation Hinges on Francis’s Adjustments
The Blue Jays face a pressing dilemma in managing their pitching rotation as they strive to maintain a competitive edge in a relatively weak American League. Francis’s inconsistency, combined with Scherzer’s current recovery timeline, underscores the need to explore alternative strategies, such as deploying bullpen games or utilizing an opener ahead of Francis.
Ultimately, Francis’s ability to regain control and build on the early innings of his recent starts will be crucial for both his career and the Blue Jays’ pursuit of sustained success this season.