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Instant Reaction: Blue Jays win opener against White Sox thanks to five RBIs from Danny Jansen

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It’s Danny Jansen’s world, and we’re all just living in it.

On Monday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays hosted the basement-dwelling Chicago White Sox, defeating the team 9-3 to bring their record to 21-25.

It was actually the White Sox that jumped out to the lead, as Korey Lee singled in former Blue Jay Paul DeJong, after he stole second base, so it was 1-0 for the White Sox after the top of the second.

However, the Blue Jays answered right back as Bo Bichette hit a double, with Daulton Varsho hitting his eighth home run of the season for the 2-1 lead.

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Fast forward to the bottom of the third, and Kevin Kiermaier led off the inning with a hustle double, before Danny Jansen drove him in to make it 3-1. Following Jansen was Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hit a single to make it 4-1.

DeJong had a great game as well, as he hit another single to drive in Gavin Sheets, who had led off the top of the fourth with a double.

After a leadoff walk from Guerrero Jr., Bichette hit his second of three doubles to drive in Guerrero and make it a 5-2 game. More on Bichette later, who had his best game of the season.

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DeJong led the top of the seventh with a solo home run, his seventh of the season to make it a 5-3 game, the final run the White Sox would score in this game. Where was this ability during his tenure with the Blue Jays?

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The Blue Jays took control in the bottom of the seventh though, as Davis Schneider hit a double with two outs, before Jansen hit his fifth home run of the season, giving him three RBIs on the day.

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With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, Jansen again once again had a hit, driving in two runs with a single and giving the Jays a 9-3 lead. Not too shabby for his first ever game in the second spot in the lineup.

Things worth mentioning…

Danny Jansen continues to be Toronto’s best hitter this season. His updated slash line is .333/.397/.681 in 78 plate appearances with five homers for a 201 wRC+. If he can stay healthy and the Blue Jays decide to sell at the deadline, he’ll get a significant haul, but I’d hope the Jays wish to re-sign him.

Don’t look now, but Bo Bichette is starting to round into form as well. With three doubles and a single, Bichette is now slashing .230/.289/.333 with two homers in 180 plate appearances. After his seven-game hit streak was snapped on Friday, this was a good sign to get back on track.

Daulton Varsho was dropped down in the lineup in recent games, and it paid off, as he hit his eighth home run of the season to give the Jays a 2-1 lead, also hitting a single. Other players with a hit were Davis Schneider, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Kevin Kiermaier.

José Berríos had a great start, finishing with a line of 6+ IP, 8 H,  3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K with a home run given up. It was his eight quality start of the season in 10 starts (he should’ve had nine, but a rainout ruined that). This was also his first win since April 20.

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Yimi García once again pitched a clean inning without giving up a run. Coming in with a runner on first, García struck out Nicky Lopez, got Danny Mendick to line out, before striking out Tommy Pham. His ERA now sits at 0.47.

For the first time in May, the Blue Jays have won consecutive games, as it was the first time this has happened since April 28-29. That’s a good sign.

Up next: The Blue Jays have a chance to win their first series in a month, as they’ll play the second of three games against the White Sox on Tuesday at 7:07 PM ET. Yusei Kikuchi and his 2.60 ERA will be on the mound for that game.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.