Toronto Blue Jays fans had high hopes for Bowden Francis this season after he emerged seemingly out of nowhere down the stretch of the 2024 campaign. Unfortunately, he has struggled mightily to begin the year, and the home run ball has been a huge reason why.

What started as a treat morphed into part of the pitcher’s game-day tradition — and perhaps a little superstition.

Bowden Francis emerged as one of the most positive and surprising developments during a 2024 season that fell far short of expectations. After being re-inserted into the starting rotation in August, the lanky righthander went 4-2 with a 1.

Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam in a seven-run eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the San Diego Padres 14-0 on Wednesday night

We have seen every extreme of Bowden Francis \-\- some good, some bad. Last season, Francis put together one of the best stretches we’ve ever seen from a Blue Jays pitcher and carried two no-hitters into the ninth inning,

How Long of a Leash Does Francis Have? TORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 24: Bowden Francis #44 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks off the mound at the end of the top of the eighth inning of their MLB game ...

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It has not seen them fall completely out of the hunt yet, but the Toronto Blue Jays pitching staff is on pace to set a troubling franchise record.