Possibly the best story of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 2024 season, Bowden Francis has now arguably become the team’s biggest weakness. Sportsnet’s Nick Ashbourne dives into why Francis has struggled to repeat his success.

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

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.

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.

The Toronto Blue Jays entered Friday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers looking to get back in the win column. Dropping Thursday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto fell one game below .500 at 21-22. Unable to pull back even, the Blue Jays made it consecutive losses with a 5-4 defeat against the AL Central leaders.