2016 Toronto Blue Jays season

General manager Alex Anthopoulos rejected a five-year contract extension on October 29, 2015,{{cite news|title=Jays no longer 'the right fit for me,' GM Alex Anthopoulos says|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/10/29/gm-alex-anthopoulos-leaving-blue-jays.html|access-date=October 29, 2015|publisher=Toronto Star|date=October 29, 2015}} and team president Paul Beeston retired on October 31.{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/10/31/with-anthopoulos-gone-shapiros-takeover-of-blue-jays-complete|title=Simmons Says: With Anthopoulos gone, Shapiro's takeover of Blue Jays complete|last=Simmons|first=Steve|newspaper=Toronto Sun|date=October 31, 2015|access-date=November 4, 2015}} New Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro, who assumed the roles on November 2, 2015,{{cite news|last1=Harrison|first1=Doug|title=Blue Jays introduce Mark Shapiro as president, CEO|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/mark-shapiro-news-conference-blue-jays-1.3299966|access-date=November 2, 2015|publisher=CBC Sports|date=November 2, 2015}} announced that Tony LaCava was assigned as the interim general manager{{cite news|title=Blue Jays promote Tony LaCava to interim GM to replace Anthopoulos|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/11/02/blue-jays-promote-tony-lacava-to-interim-gm-to-replace-anthopoulos-reports.html|access-date=November 2, 2015|publisher=Toronto Star|date=November 2, 2015}} and that John Gibbons would remain as the manager. On November 6, 2015, a $15.8 million qualifying offer was extended to Marco Estrada.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Brendan|title=Blue Jays extend one-year qualifying offer to Marco Estrada|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/11/06/blue-jays-extend-one-year-qualifying-offer-to-marco-estrada.html|access-date=November 6, 2015|publisher=Toronto Star|date=November 6, 2015}} David Price was not eligible for a qualifying offer, as he was acquired mid-season. Estrada signed a two-year, $26 million contract on November 13.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-reach-two-year-26m-agreement-with-estrada/|title=Blue Jays re-sign Marco Estrada to two-year, $26M deal|last1=Davidi|first1=Shi|last2=Wilner|first2=Mike|work=Sportsnet|date=November 13, 2015|access-date=November 14, 2015}}

On November 20, the Blue Jays signed Humberto Quintero to a minor league contract,{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/157773672/blue-jays-sign-catcher-humberto-quintero|title=Blue Jays sign Quintero to Minor League deal|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2015|archive-date=November 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121080701/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/157773672/blue-jays-sign-catcher-humberto-quintero|url-status=dead}} and acquired Jesse Chavez from the Oakland Athletics for Liam Hendriks.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-acquire-rhp-jesse-chavez/|title=Blue Jays reacquire righty Chavez in exchange for Hendriks|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2015}} 3 days later, the team signed Casey Kotchman, Jiovanni Mier, and David Adams to minor league contracts that included invitations to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-kotchman-mier-adams-to-minor-league-deals/|title=Blue Jays sign Kotchman, Mier, Adams to minor league deals|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=November 23, 2015|access-date=November 23, 2015}} On November 24, Scott Diamond was signed to a minor league contract and invited to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-agree-to-sign-scott-diamond-to-minor-league-deal/|title=Blue Jays agree to sign Scott Diamond to minor league deal|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=November 24, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}} J. A. Happ, who was traded by the Blue Jays to the Seattle Mariners for Michael Saunders before the 2015 season, was signed to a three-year, $36 million contract on November 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/ja-happ-signs-with-blue-jays/c-158329366|title=Happ signs 3-year deal to rejoin Blue Jays|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=November 27, 2015|access-date=November 28, 2015|archive-date=December 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201035141/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/158329366/ja-happ-signs-with-blue-jays|url-status=live}} David Price agreed to a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/12/01/red-sox-sign-david-price-to-seven-year-217m-contract-report.html|title=Red Sox sign David Price to seven-year, $217M contract: report|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=December 1, 2015|access-date=December 2, 2015}} Justin Smoak, who was eligible for salary arbitration, was signed to a one-year, $3.9 million contract on December 2.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-first-baseman-justin-smoak-to-one-year-deal/|title=Blue Jays sign first baseman Justin Smoak to one-year deal|work=Sportsnet|date=December 2, 2015|access-date=December 2, 2015}} Third baseman Josh Donaldson, outfielders Ben Revere and Michael Saunders, and pitchers Jesse Chavez, Drew Hutchison, Steve Delabar, Brett Cecil, and Aaron Loup were also tendered contracts.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-to-tender-outfielders-revere-saunders/|title=Blue Jays to tender all arbitration-eligible players except Thole|last=Loung|first=Steven|work=Sportsnet|date=December 2, 2015|access-date=December 2, 2015}} Catcher Josh Thole was not tendered a contract by the December 2 deadline, and became a free agent. On December 3, Ross Atkins was named the new general manager replacing LaCava.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/158756906/ross-atkins-named-blue-jays-general-manager|title=Atkins named Blue Jays' general manager|last=Kruth|first=Cash|work=MLB.com|date=December 3, 2015|access-date=December 3, 2015|archive-date=December 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207015129/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/158756906/ross-atkins-named-blue-jays-general-manager|url-status=dead}} Thole signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Blue Jays on December 4.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BKennedyStar/status/672874748783783936|title=Brendan Kennedy on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=December 4, 2015}}

Mark Lowe signed a two-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on December 8, for $11 million.{{cite web|url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/158984010/tigers-mark-lowe-agree-to-2-year-deal|title=Tigers strike 2-year deal with reliever Lowe|first=Jason|last=Beck|work=MLB.com|date=December 8, 2015|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212501/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/158984010/tigers-mark-lowe-agree-to-2-year-deal|url-status=dead}} In the Rule 5 draft on December 10, the Blue Jays selected pitcher Joe Biagini from the San Francisco Giants organization.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/159320900/blue-jays-select-joe-biagini-in-rule-5-draft|title=Blue Jays take Biagini in Rule 5 Draft|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=December 10, 2015|access-date=December 11, 2015|archive-date=December 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213024507/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/159320900/blue-jays-select-joe-biagini-in-rule-5-draft|url-status=dead}} Darwin Barney officially re-signed with the team on December 11.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/675339489628184577|title=Toronto Blue Jays on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=December 11, 2015|access-date=December 11, 2015}} Wade LeBlanc was signed to a minor league contract on December 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-sign-wade-leblanc-to-minor-league-contract/|title=Report: Blue Jays sign Wade LeBlanc to minor-league contract|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2015}} On December 18, Junior Lake was claimed off waivers,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/sources-blue-jays-claim-of-junior-lake-on-waivers/|title=Blue Jays claim outfielder Junior Lake on waivers|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=December 19, 2015}} and signed Scott Copeland, Roberto Hernández, Pat McCoy, and Brad Penny to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-agree-to-minor-league-deals-with-five-pitchers/|title=Blue Jays agree to minor-league deals with five pitchers|last=Hoad|first=Michael|work=Sportsnet|date=December 18, 2015|access-date=December 19, 2015}} Brandon Bixler and Gabe Noyalis were signed to minor-league contracts on December 29.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/681851173842882560|title=Ben Nicholson-Smith on Twitter|work=Twitter|date=December 29, 2015|access-date=December 29, 2015}} On January 5, 2016, Arnold León was acquired from the Oakland Athletics for cash or a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/161089738/blue-jays-acquire-arnold-leon-from-athletics|title=Blue Jays acquire Leon in deal with A's|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=January 5, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2016|archive-date=April 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428022631/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/161089738/blue-jays-acquire-arnold-leon-from-athletics|url-status=dead}} Three days later, outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named later were traded to the Washington Nationals for reliever Drew Storen.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/161481116/nats-land-revere-trade-storen-to-blue-jays|title=Nats land Revere, send Storen to Blue Jays|last=Ladson|first=Bill|work=MLB.com|date=January 8, 2016|access-date=January 8, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112093942/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/161481116/nats-land-revere-trade-storen-to-blue-jays|url-status=dead}}

On January 12, pitchers Brett Cecil, Jesse Chavez, Steve Delabar, Drew Hutchison, Aaron Loup, and Drew Storen filed for salary arbitration, along with position players Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/687062778746683392|title=Ben Nicholson-Smith on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=January 12, 2015}} Cecil, Delabar, Loup, Hutchison, and Storen agreed to a one-year contracts worth $3.8 million, $835,000, $1.05 million, $2.2 million, and $8.375 million respectively on January 15. Saunders agreed to a $2.9 million contract. Chavez and Donaldson did not come to an agreement before the deadline. Chavez had requested $4 million, while the Blue Jays offered $3.6 million. Donaldson filed for $11.8 million, and the Blue Jays offered $11.35 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-avoid-arbitration-with-saunders-delabar/|title=Blue Jays avoid arbitration with six players, not Donaldson|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2016}} On January 18, Daniel Schlereth was signed to a minor league contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/01/orioles-andy-oliver-royals-mitch-maier-dodgers-corey-brown-blue-jays-schlereth.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 1/18/16|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=January 18, 2016|access-date=January 18, 2016}} Maicer Izturis, who was under contract with the Blue Jays for the 2015 season but did not play for the team due to various injuries, was signed to a minor league contract on January 29.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-infielder-maicer-izturis-to-minor-league-deal/|title=Blue Jays sign infielder Maicer Izturis to minor-league deal|last=Simmons|first=Jeff|work=Sportsnet|date=January 29, 2016|access-date=January 29, 2016}} On February 2, outfielder Darrell Ceciliani was acquired from the New York Mets for a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163475116/blue-jays-get-darrell-ceciliani-from-mets|title=Blue Jays strike deal with Mets, get Ceciliani|last=Kruth|first=Cash|work=MLB.com|date=February 2, 2016|access-date=February 2, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204230804/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163475116/blue-jays-get-darrell-ceciliani-from-mets|url-status=dead}} David Aardsma was added to the list of non-roster invitees on February 5.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163742684/blue-jays-sign-david-aardsma|title=Aardsma signs Minor League deal with Blue Jays|work=MLB.com|date=February 5, 2016|access-date=February 5, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206034022/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163742684/blue-jays-sign-david-aardsma|url-status=dead}}

On February 6, it was announced that Chavez had won his arbitration case, and will receive a $4 million salary for the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-chavez-wins-arbitration-case-for-4m/|title=Blue Jays' Chavez wins arbitration case for $4M|work=Sportsnet|date=February 6, 2016|access-date=February 6, 2016}} In addition, Gavin Floyd signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blue Jays, and Chad Jenkins was designated for assignment.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163713784/blue-jays-sign-pitcher-gavin-floyd|title=Blue Jays come to terms with Floyd|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=February 6, 2016|access-date=February 6, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206235102/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163713784/blue-jays-sign-pitcher-gavin-floyd|url-status=dead}} On February 10, Donaldson avoided arbitration by signing a two-year, $28.65 million extension that will pay him $11.65 million in 2016, and $17 million in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163992540/blue-jays-josh-donaldson-reach-2-year-deal|title=Donaldson, Blue Jays finalize 2-year deal|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=February 10, 2016|access-date=February 10, 2016|archive-date=February 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210091457/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/163992540/blue-jays-josh-donaldson-reach-2-year-deal|url-status=dead}} Colt Hynes, who spent most of the 2015 season with the Buffalo Bisons, was signed to a minor league contract on February 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-agree-to-re-sign-lhp-colt-hynes-to-minor-league-deal/|title=Blue Jays agree to re-sign LHP Colt Hynes to minor league deal|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=February 13, 2016}} Three days before pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report to Dunedin, catcher Tony Sanchez was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-catcher-tony-sanchez-to-minor-league-deal/|title=Blue Jays sign catcher Tony Sanchez to minor-league deal|last=Ashbourne|first=Nick|work=Sportsnet|date=February 19, 2016|access-date=February 19, 2016}} Outfielder Domonic Brown and reliever Rafael Soriano were also added to the organization, each receiving a minor league contract and an invitation to spring training in late February.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/165426302/blue-jays-sign-domonic-brown|title=Blue Jays sign Brown to Minor League deal|last=Fordin|first=Spencer|work=MLB.com|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=February 25, 2016|archive-date=February 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226082936/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/165426302/blue-jays-sign-domonic-brown|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-sign-right-hander-rafael-soriano/|title=Blue Jays sign former all-star reliever Rafael Soriano|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016}}

At Rogers Centre, a full dirt infield was installed prior to the home opener; for the previous six seasons (2010–15), it was the only MLB ballpark with {{nowrap|sliding pits.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-adding-dirt-infield-at-rogers-centre/c-164164706 |work=MLB.com |last=Chisholm |first=Gregor |title=Work begins on dirt infield at Rogers Centre|date=February 10, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/07/blue-jays-debut-rogers-centre-all-dir-infield-on-friday.html |work=Toronto Star |last=Kennedy |first=Brendan |title=Blue Jays debut Rogers Centre all-dirt infield on Friday |date=April 7, 2016|access-date=May 9, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/toronto-blue-jays-rogers-centre-dirt-infield-changes-040716 |work=Fox Sports |last=DaSilva |first=Cameron |title=The Blue Jays finally have a normal dirt infield like the rest of MLB |date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2018}}}}

File:Jose Bautista 2016 spring training.jpg

Shortly after pitchers and catchers reported to Dunedin for the start of spring training on February 22, José Bautista addressed the media regarding his contract situation. Bautista, in the final year of a five-year, $65 million contract, stated that he had told the Blue Jays the length of contract he was seeking as well as the compensation of said contract, and that he would not negotiate or agree to a "hometown discount".{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-bautista-a-hometown-discount-doesnt-exist/|title=Bautista names his price; doesn't intend to bargain with Blue Jays|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016}} The following day, TSN's Rick Westhead reported that Bautista had requested a five-year, $150 million contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/sources-bautista-s-demand-is-five-years-150m-1.442180|title=Sources: Bautista's demand is five years, $150M|last=Westhead|first=Rick|work=tsn.ca|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016}} The report was later refuted by Bautista.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25492876/jose-bautista-denies-he-asked-blue-jays-for-150-million|title=Jose Bautista denies he asked Blue Jays for $150 million|last=Perry|first=Dayn|work=cbssports.com|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016}} While Bautista's contract situation was unfolding, the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Cincinnati Reds were reported to be in agreement on a trade that would have sent Michael Saunders to the Angels, Jay Bruce to the Blue Jays, and unnamed prospects from the Angels and Blue Jays to the Reds. Hours after the trade was made public, reports surfaced that the deal was on hold due to issues with an unknown player's physical.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/bruce-saunders-blue-jays-trade-talks-1.3459997|title=Jay Bruce-to-Blue Jays trade talks on hold: reports|last=Harrison|first=Doug|work=cbc.ca|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=February 24, 2016}}

File:Aaron Sanchez 2016 spring training.jpg

On March 4, Maicer Izturis unexpectedly announced his retirement, stating "I put my heart, my soul and my body into it this year to see how I was going to feel, but my body couldn't handle it anymore. So I decided this is the last time I'm going to be playing baseball."{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/166175272/blue-jays-maicer-izturis-announces-retirement|title=Izturis calls it a career at Blue Jays camp|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=March 4, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305112509/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/166175272/blue-jays-maicer-izturis-announces-retirement|url-status=dead}} He had appeared in one game for the Blue Jays to that point, going hitless in two at-bats.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2016.shtml|title=2016 Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training Batting, Pitching, & Fielding Statistics|work=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=March 4, 2016}} On March 18, Brad Penny, who had joined the Blue Jays on a minor league contract, announced his retirement.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/168005010/brad-penny-retires-at-blue-jays-spring-camp|title=Penny calls it a career at Blue Jays camp|last=Fordin|first=Spencer|work=MLB.com|date=March 18, 2016|access-date=March 18, 2016|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322075827/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/168005010/brad-penny-retires-at-blue-jays-spring-camp|url-status=dead}} Two days later, Rafael Soriano announced his retirement as well.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/168195278/rafael-soriano-retires-after-14-mlb-seasons|title=Longtime closer Soriano opts to retire|last=Fordin|first=Spencer|work=MLB.com|date=March 20, 2016|access-date=March 20, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324105225/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/168195278/rafael-soriano-retires-after-14-mlb-seasons|url-status=dead}} Soriano signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays in late February, but did not appear in any spring training games due to unspecified visa issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/03/rafael-soriano-to-retire.html|title=Rafael Soriano Retires|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 20, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2016}}

On March 23, Marcus Stroman was named the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/marcus-stroman-named-blue-jays-opening-day-starter/|title=Marcus Stroman named Blue Jays opening day starter|last=Wilner|first=Mike|work=Sportsnet|date=March 23, 2016|access-date=March 23, 2016}} The competition for fifth starter ended on March 28, when John Gibbons announced that Aaron Sanchez had earned the final rotation spot.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/169392828/aaron-sanchez-earns-spot-in-blue-jays-rotation|title=Sanchez earns spot in Blue Jays' rotation|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331112409/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/169392828/aaron-sanchez-earns-spot-in-blue-jays-rotation|url-status=dead}} Steve Delabar, who had been an All-Star for the Blue Jays in 2013, was released on March 29, along with Randy Choate.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-release-former-star-steve-delabar/|title=Blue Jays release Choate, former all-star Delabar|work=Sportsnet|date=March 29, 2016|access-date=March 29, 2016}} The final roles left to be determined were the fourth outfielder, closer, and remainder of the bullpen pitchers. On March 30, John Gibbons announced that Ezequiel Carrera would be the fourth outfielder, Roberto Osuna would begin the season in the closer's role, and Arnold León, Joe Biagini, and Ryan Tepera would round out the bullpen positions. Gibbons also announced that Marco Estrada and Aaron Loup would open the season on the disabled list.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/roberto-osuna-named-closer-blue-jays-reveal-opening-day-roster/|title=Roberto Osuna named closer as Blue Jays reveal opening day roster|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=March 30, 2016|access-date=March 30, 2016}} To close spring training, the Blue Jays returned to Montreal's Olympic Stadium for a two-game series against the Red Sox.

{{Clear}}

{{2016 AL East standings|highlight=Toronto Blue Jays}}

{{2016 AL Wild Card standings|highlight=Toronto Blue Jays}}

| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"|

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| May || 29 || 17 || 12 || {{Winning percentage|17|12|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| June || 27 || 15 || 12 || {{Winning percentage|15|12|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| July || 24 || 16 || 8 || {{Winning percentage|16|8|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| August || 28 || 17 || 11 || {{Winning percentage|17|11|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| September || 27 || 11 || 16 || {{Winning percentage|11|16|}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| October || 2 || 2 || 0 || {{Winning percentage|2|0|}}

|- style="font-weight:bold; background:powderblue;"

| style="text-align:left;"|Totals || 162 || 89 || 73 || {{Winning percentage|89|73|}}

|}

|}

The 2016 Major League Baseball draft was held on June 9–11.{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/draft/2016|title=2016 MLB Draft News|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 13, 2016|archive-date=March 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314114815/http://m.mlb.com/draft/2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/draft/2016/order|title=2016 Draft Order|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 13, 2016|archive-date=June 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606140404/http://m.mlb.com/draft/2016/order|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=tor&year=2016|title=Toronto Blue Jays 2016 Draft Results|work=MLB.com|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020202209/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/team/draft.jsp?c_id=tor&year=2016|url-status=dead}}

• – Toronto received the 57th overall selection for failing to sign pitcher Brady Singer, who was selected 56th overall in the 2015 draft.

File:Josh Donaldson April 2016.jpg

The Blue Jays opened the 2016 season in Tampa Bay for a four-game series against the Rays. Marcus Stroman pitched into the ninth on Opening Day, and held the Rays to three runs in a 5–3 victory, closed out by Roberto Osuna.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/170328734/marcus-stroman-sets-tone-for-jays-vs-rays|title=Stroman sets tone, Blue Jays hold off Rays in opener|last1=Chastain|first1=Bill|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=April 3, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407112847/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/170328734/marcus-stroman-sets-tone-for-jays-vs-rays|url-status=dead}} Osuna would earn the save in the second game of the series as well, finishing another 5–3 win over Tampa Bay. Jesse Chavez and Drew Storen made their debuts for the Blue Jays, each pitching one inning in the win.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-pull-bizarre-win-rays/|title=Blue Jays pull out bizarre win against Rays|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=April 4, 2016|access-date=April 4, 2016}} Brett Cecil also pitched a scoreless inning in the game, his 38th consecutive game played without allowing an earned run, which tied the MLB record set by Craig Kimbrel in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/cecil-extends-stretch-without-earned-run-to-38-c170526966|title=Cecil ties record for outings without earned run|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-date=April 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411151844/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/170526966/cecil-extends-stretch-without-earned-run-to-38|url-status=live}} Cecil's streak would end the following night, as he yielded a two-run home run to Logan Forsythe to give the Rays a 3–2 lead that they would not relinquish. In the ninth inning, the Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out for Edwin Encarnación, who hit a ground ball to Evan Longoria, who threw to Forsythe at second to begin a double play. José Bautista slid into second and Forsythe threw wide of first, allowing two runs to score and giving the Blue Jays a 4–3 lead, however Rays manager Kevin Cash challenged that Bautista had violated the league's new "Chase Utley Rule" with his slide, by attempting to break-up the double play. After a short review, the umpires reversed their decision, and called both Bautista and Encarnación out, ending the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/new-slide-rule-costs-blue-jays-loss-rays/|title=New slide rule costs Blue Jays in loss to Rays|work=Sportsnet|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=April 6, 2016}} Tampa Bay would split the series in the finale, defeating the Blue Jays 5–3. Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson left mid-game after injuring his right calf.{{cite web|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/toronto-star-donaldson-limps-off-field-during-game-192549249--mlb.html|title=Josh Donaldson injures calf as Blue Jays lose to Rays 5-3|last=Didtler|first=Mark|work=sports.yahoo.com|date=April 6, 2016|access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417014831/https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/toronto-star-donaldson-limps-off-field-during-game-192549249--mlb.html|archive-date=2016-04-17|url-status=dead}}

After an off-day, the Blue Jays began a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox, with Marcus Stroman taking the mound in the home opener. The Blue Jays led the game 7–2 following Josh Donaldson's second-career grand slam in the fourth inning, but in the sixth, Brock Holt hit a grand slam for the Red Sox, and the Blue Jays bullpen would blow their third lead in as many games to take the loss, 8–7.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/04/09/blue-jays-blow-third-straight-save-in-8-7-loss-to-red-sox/82827732/|title=Blue Jays blow third straight save in 8-7 loss to Red Sox|work=usatoday.com|date=April 9, 2016|access-date=April 10, 2016}} In the second game, R. A. Dickey would yield seven runs in an 8–4 loss, while José Bautista hit two home runs to record his 29th career multi-home run game.{{cite web|url=https://leaderpost.com/sports/blue+jays+drop+fourth+straight+punish+dickey+knuckleball/11841904/story.html|title=Blue Jays drop fourth straight as Red Sox win despite dancing Dickey knuckleball|last=Davidson|first=Neil|work=leaderpost.com|date=April 9, 2016|access-date=April 10, 2016}} Marco Estrada, who began the season on the disabled list with a back injury, made the start in the final game of the series looking to avoid a sweep. Estrada would pitch seven shutout innings in his season debut, earning the win over the Red Sox, 3–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/10/marco-estrada-helps-blue-jays-avoid-sweep.html|title=Marco Estrada helps Blue Jays avoid sweep|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=April 10, 2016|access-date=April 10, 2016}} The Blue Jays then battled the New York Yankees for the first time in 2016. The first game of the series went to the Yankees, who took advantage of Brett Cecil's early season struggles to win 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/12/sanchez-offers-another-solid-start-but-jays-bullpen-cant-hold-off-yankees.html|title=Blue Jays lose battle of the bullpens to Yankees|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} J. A. Happ would earn the win the following night, 7–2, holding the opposition to fewer than two runs for the 11th time in his last 12 games. José Bautista also recorded his 800th career RBI in the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/jose-bautista-800th-rbi-jays-yankees-1.3534750|title=Jose Bautista has 2 hits, collects 800th RBI as Jays trounce Yankees|work=cbc.ca|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} Toronto would also take the rubber match, 4–2, led by 8 strong innings and 17 groundball outs from Marcus Stroman.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/14/stroman-superb-as-blue-jays-down-yankees.html|title=Stroman superb as Blue Jays down Yankees|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}}

After travelling to Boston, the Blue Jays took on the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Edwin Encarnación hit his first two home runs of the season but the Red Sox would prevail, taking the opener 5–3.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-red-sox-1.3538739|title=Red Sox fend off Blue Jays in series opener at Fenway|last=Powtak|first=Ken|work=cbc.ca|date=April 15, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} David Price made the start in the second game of the series, his first start against the Blue Jays since signing with Boston in the offseason. He would hold the Jays to two runs over seven innings and earn the win, 4–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/price-bogaerts-carry-red-sox-past-blue-jays-4-2-1.2862397|title=Price, Bogaerts carry Red Sox past Blue Jays 4-2|last=Powtak|first=Ken|work=ctvnews.ca|date=April 16, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} Aaron Sanchez recorded his third consecutive quality start of the season by holding the Sox to two hits and one run over seven innings in the third game of the series, and took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The Blue Jays would win the game, 5–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/sanchez-pitches-seven-strong-innings-in-blue-jays-5-3-win-over-red-sox/article29656727/|title=Sanchez pitches seven strong innings in Blue Jays' 5-3 win over Red Sox|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=April 17, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} The final game of the series, played on Patriots' Day, saw the Blue Jays hang on to win, 4–3. Drew Storen recorded his first save with Toronto, as Roberto Osuna was unavailable for the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/18/blue-jays-beat-red-sox-to-salvage-split-at-fenway-park.html|title=Blue Jays get to Boston bullpen to salvage split at Fenway Park|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=April 18, 2016|access-date=April 19, 2016}} Nearing the end of 17 consecutive games against AL East opponents to open the season, the Blue Jays travelled to Baltimore to play the first-place Orioles. The first game of the series saw Marcus Stroman earn his third win of the season, as Toronto gave the Orioles their first loss at home in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-edge-orioles-third-straight-win/|title=Blue Jays edge Orioles for third straight win|work=Sportsnet|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016}} The second game of the series went into extra innings tied 3–3. Rookie Joe Biagini loaded the bases in the tenth inning, and allowed the Orioles to score the winning run on a wild pitch.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/20/jays-drop-wild-game-to-orioles-in-extras-griffin.html|title=Blue Jays drop wild game to Orioles in extras|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=April 20, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016}} In the rubber match, the Orioles would beat the Blue Jays 3–2, after Toronto was unable to score after plating two runs in the first inning.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/machado-drives-in-decisive-run-as-orioles-beat-jays-3-2-1.2870193|title=Machado drives in decisive run as Orioles beat Jays 3-2|last=Ginsburg|first=David|work=ctvnews.ca|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016}}

Returning home with an 8–9 record, the Blue Jays would battle the Oakland Athletics, who entered the series undefeated on the road in 2016. Hours prior to the game, MLB announced that Chris Colabello had been suspended for 80 games, after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs in March.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/173879446/blue-jays-colabello-suspended-80-games|title=Blue Jays' Colabello suspended 80 games|last=Adler|first=David|work=MLB.com|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2016|archive-date=April 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423131603/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/173879446/blue-jays-colabello-suspended-80-games|url-status=dead}} Aaron Sanchez struggled through the worst start of his young career, allowing six earned runs in 4{{frac|1|3}} innings pitched, as the Blue Jays lost 8–5.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/04/22/sanchez-struggles-as-blue-jays-lose-8-5-to-athletics/83423616/|title=Sanchez struggles as Blue Jays lose 8-5 to Athletics|work=usatoday.com|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016}} The Blue Jays offence, which lead all of MLB in 2015, appeared to get back on track in the second game, as Troy Tulowitzki recorded his 12th career multi-home run game and Josh Donaldson also homered and drove in four runs in a 9–3 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-bats-beat-athletics-1.3550279|title=Troy Tulowitzki's 2 homers power Blue Jays over Athletics|work=cbc.ca|date=April 23, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016}} In the final game of the series, Drew Hutchison was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to make a spot start for the Jays. He held the Athletics to 2 runs over 5{{frac|2|3}} innings as the Blue Jays won the series, 6–3.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/174249806/drew-hutchison-wins-2016-blue-jays-debut|title=Hutchison wins debut vs. A's; Bautista homers|last1=Lee|first=Jane|last2=Ravjiani|first2=Alykhan|work=MLB.com|date=April 24, 2016|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425111535/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/174249806/drew-hutchison-wins-2016-blue-jays-debut|url-status=dead}} Toronto then battled the first-place Chicago White Sox in a three-game series. The Jays held a four run lead in the first game, only to have their bullpen yield the lead in the seventh inning, and take a 7–5 loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/04/25/blue-jays-bullpen-blows-four-run-lead-lose-to-white-sox|title=Blue Jays bullpen blows four run lead, lose to White Sox|last=Buffery|first=Steve|work=torontosun.com|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}} In the second game, White Sox ace Chris Sale earned his league-leading fifth win of the season, beating the Blue Jays 10–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/04/26/blue-jays-trounced-by-white-sox.html|title=Blue Jays trounced by White Sox|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=April 26, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}} Chicago would complete the sweep of the Blue Jays with a 4–0 win in the third game of the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/estrada-blue-jays-lose-4-0-to-white-sox/2016/04/27/38e2daea-0cf3-11e6-bc53-db634ca94a2a_story.html|title=Estrada, Blue Jays lose 4-0 to White Sox|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=washingtonpost.com|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

After a day off, the Blue Jays closed out April in Tampa Bay, where their season began. Michael Saunders recorded his first two home run game as a Blue Jay, and Aaron Sanchez rebounded from his previous start, throwing seven shutout innings to lead the Blue Jays to a 6–1 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360429130|title=Saunders homers twice in Blue Jays' 6-1 win over Rays|work=ESPN|date=April 29, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}} Brett Cecil took his fifth loss of the season in the final game of April, 4–3, by allowing the winning run to score in the bottom of the ninth inning without recording an out.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/04/30/blue-jays-blow-lead-twice-in-tampa-lose-to-rays|title=Blue Jays blow lead twice in Tampa, lose to Rays|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=April 30, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}} In taking the loss, Cecil became the first relief pitcher since at least the 1913 season to earn five losses in April.{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/996136|title=Cecil sets dubious record for April losses|last=Halim|first=George|work=thescore.com|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}}

File:Marco Estrada 2016.jpg

In the rubber match against Tampa, Marcus Stroman earned his team-leading fourth win of the season, defeating the Rays 5–1. The Blue Jays were held to just 15 hits in the three-game series, but hit 8 home runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/05/01/stroman-allows-1-run-blue-jays-beat-rays-5-1.html|title=Long ball gets job done for Blue Jays against Rays|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=May 1, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2016}} The Blue Jays then returned to Toronto to face the Texas Rangers for the first time since defeating them in the 2015 American League Division Series. The Rangers would win the first game of the series, 2–1, and give the Jays their fourth loss in a row at home.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/blue-jays-bats-silenced-as-dickeys-solid-outing-wasted-in-2-1-loss-to-rangers|title='Not executing good enough to win': Toronto Blue Jays lose pitching duel against Texas Rangers|last=Buffery|first=Steve|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} In the second game of the series, Justin Smoak hit his first home run of the season to tie the game in the ninth inning, and in the tenth, hit a walk-off two-run home run to give the Blue Jays a 3–1 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-news/smoak-goes-deep-twice-jays-beat-rangers-3-1-1.2886813|title=Smoak goes deep twice, Jays beat Rangers 3-1|last=Couto|first=Melissa|work=cp24.com|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} Russell Martin gave the Blue Jays their second-consecutive walk-off win the following night, 4–3, after knocking in the winning run with a single to right field in the ninth inning.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360504114|title=Martin delivers winning hit, Blue Jays beat Rangers 4-3|work=ESPN|date=May 4, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} Toronto would take the series finale, tagging Rangers starter Derek Holland for 11 earned runs in a 12–2 win. The Blue Jays scored double-digit runs for the first time in 2016, and Edwin Encarnación hit his 202nd home run with the Blue Jays, tying George Bell for fifth all-time.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/05/05/edwin-encarnacion-leads-blue-jays-to-blowout-win.html|title=Edwin Encarnacion leads Blue Jays to blowout win|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=May 5, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} The Jays then battled the Los Angeles Dodgers at home for three games. The first game was taken by the Blue Jays, 5–2, aided by Kevin Pillar's tie-breaking three-run home run in the eighth inning.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/pillar-bautista-homer-blue-jays-win-vs-dodgers/|title=Pillar lifts Blue Jays past Dodgers for 4th straight win|work=Sportsnet|date=May 6, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} In the second game, the Blue Jays were held in check by Clayton Kershaw, who earned the win over Toronto, 6–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/jays-win-streak-ends-at-four-after-6-2-loss-to-dodgers/article29933044/|title=Jays' win streak ends at four after 6-2 loss to Dodgers|last=Mahiban|first=Dhiren|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=May 7, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} The Blue Jays fell in the rubber match, 4–2, with Drew Storen taking the loss after another poor performance in relief of Marco Estrada's seven strong innings.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-estrada-loss-dodgers-1.3572720|title=Blue Jays waste Estrada's strong start in loss to Dodgers|last=Strong|first=Gregory|work=cbc.ca|date=May 8, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}}

Continuing their interleague play, the Blue Jays travelled to San Francisco to battle the Giants in a three-game series. In the first of two favourable pitching matches, the Blue Jays sent Aaron Sanchez to the mound to face Jake Peavy, who entered with a 9.00 earned run average. Toronto would take the first game of the series, 3–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/edwin-bat-defence-jays-win-1.3574640|title=Edwin Encarnacion's bat, defence lead Blue Jays over Giants|work=cbc.ca|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} J. A. Happ started the second game for the Blue Jays, taking on Matt Cain, who owned an ERA over 7 at the start of play. Happ earned his team-leading fifth win, lowered his ERA to 2.08, and came within one out of a complete game shutout as the Blue Jays won by a score of 4–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/05/11/ja-happ-dominant-in-blue-jays-win-over-giants.html|title=J.A. Happ dominant in Blue Jays' win over Giants|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016}} The Blue Jays were denied their first sweep of the 2016 season, losing the finale 5–4 in the 13th inning.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/177560516/buster-posey-earns-walk-off-walk-in-13th|title=Saunders forces extras before 13-inning loss|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Haft|first2=Chris|work=MLB.com|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=May 12, 2016|archive-date=May 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513112928/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/177560516/buster-posey-earns-walk-off-walk-in-13th|url-status=dead}} The team ended their six-game road trip in Arlington, Texas, to take on the Rangers. The Blue Jays won the first game of the series, shutting out the Rangers 5–0 in R. A. Dickey's best start of the season to that point.{{cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-news/blue-jays-beat-rangers-5-0-in-texas-1.2902058|title=Blue Jays beat Rangers 5-0 in Texas|last=Hawkins|first=Steve|work=cp24.com|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=May 15, 2016}} In the second game, Justin Smoak and Troy Tulowitzki hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game 5–5 in the ninth inning. However, Drew Stubbs would hit a walk-off home run in the tenth to even the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/drew-stubbs-10th-inning-homer-helps-texas-rangers-beat-blue-jays-6-5/article30026173/|title=Drew Stubbs' 10th-inning homer helps Texas Rangers beat Blue Jays 6-5|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=May 14, 2016|access-date=May 15, 2016}}

;Blue Jays–Rangers brawl

The final game of the series, a 7–6 loss for the Blue Jays, was filled with controversy. In the eighth inning, José Bautista, who had given the Blue Jays a 5–2 lead earlier in the game with a bases-clearing double, was hit by a pitch from Rangers reliever Matt Bush. The move was largely considered as retaliation for Bautista flipping his bat after hitting a go-ahead three-run home run in the 2015 American League Division Series, and resulted in both benches being warned by the home plate umpire, Dan Iassogna. Justin Smoak later grounded into a would-be double play, however Bautista slid hard into second base, taking out Rougned Odor and preventing the double play from being completed. Odor took exception to Bautista's slide, and retaliated by punching Bautista in the face, which resulted in a bench-clearing brawl. Bautista was called for an illegal slide, which ended the inning. Bautista, Odor, and Josh Donaldson were ejected in the brawl. Donaldson got ejected for attempting to tackle Odor in the brawl after Odor punched Bautista. In the bottom half of the inning, Jesse Chavez hit Prince Fielder with his first pitch, which resulted in the ejections of Chavez, Blue Jays bench coach DeMarlo Hale, and Rangers bench coach Steve Buechele. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons and first base coach Tim Leiper were also ejected earlier in the game. Leiper was ejected for arguing with first base umpire Dale Scott, and Gibbons was ejected by Iassogna for arguing balls and strikes.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/178335868/rangers-beat-blue-jays-after-ugly-incident|title=Blue Jays fall in Texas as rivalry heats up|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Sessions|first2=Dave|work=MLB.com|date=May 15, 2016|access-date=May 15, 2016|archive-date=May 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517102555/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/178335868/rangers-beat-blue-jays-after-ugly-incident|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/simmering-feud-erupts-rangers-edge-blue-jays-series-finale/|title=Brawl erupts as Rangers edge Blue Jays in series finale|work=Sportsnet|date=May 15, 2016|access-date=May 15, 2016}}

File:Jose Bautista May 2016.jpg

Following their brawl with the Rangers, the Blue Jays went home for a short, three-game home stand against Tampa Bay. The Rays took the first game of the series, 13–2, giving J. A. Happ his first loss of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/rays-hammer-blue-jays-13-2-gibbons-ejected-again/article30057258/|title=Rays hammer Blue Jays 13-2, Gibbons ejected again|last=Chidley-Hill|first=John|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=May 16, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016}} Prior to the second game, punishments for the Blue Jays and Rangers were handed down by Joe Torre, MLB's chief baseball officer. John Gibbons and Jesse Chavez were each suspended three games (Gibbons for coming back onto the field after being ejected), while José Bautista and Tim Leiper were suspended for one game. Both Bautista and Chavez appealed their suspensions. Gibbons was also fined $5,000, and Josh Donaldson and Kevin Pillar were fined an undisclosed amount. For the Rangers, Rougned Odor was fined and suspended for eight games (reduced to 7 games on appeal), and Elvis Andrus was suspended one game. Matt Bush, Sam Dyson, A. J. Griffin, and Robinson Chirinos were each fined an undisclosed amount.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/05/17/rangers-odor-reportedly-hit-with-eight-game-ban-for-punching-jays-bautista.html|title=Jays' Bautista, Gibbons suspended over brawl with Texas Rangers|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016}} The Rays would again win by blow-out, defeating the Blue Jays 12–2 that night.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/tampa-bay-rays-rough-up-toronto-blue-jays-pitchers-for-second-straight-night-in-posting-12-2-blowout-win|title=Tampa Bay Rays rough up Toronto Blue Jays pitchers for second straight night in posting 12-2 blowout win|last=Chidley-Hill|first=John|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016}} Tampa Bay would complete the sweep with a 6–3 win in the finale, giving the Blue Jays their first five-game losing streak of the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-news/jays-extend-losing-skid-to-5-games-with-6-3-loss-to-rays-1.2908447|title=Jays extend losing skid to 5 games with 6-3 loss to Rays|last=Strong|first=Gregory|work=cp24.com|date=May 18, 2016|access-date=May 19, 2016}}

Looking to end the streak, the Blue Jays took on the last-place Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. The first game would go into extra innings before Troy Tulowitzki drove in the go-ahead run in the eleventh. Joe Biagini would earn his first career save in the game, closing out the 3–2 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-minnesota-twins-extra-innings-tulowitzki-1.3590628|title=Blue Jays end 5-game losing streak with win over last-place Twins|work=cbc.ca|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2016}} An offensive outburst would power the Jays to victory in the second game of the series, 9–3, led by home runs from José Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Michael Saunders, and Darwin Barney.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/blue-jays-notch-second-straight-win-beating-minnesota-9-3-1.2911835|title=Blue Jays notch second straight win, beating Minnesota 9-3|last=Krawczynski|first=Jon|work=toronto.ctvnews.ca|date=May 20, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2016}} J. A. Happ would pitch seven scoreless innings against the Twins the following day, however Minnesota would score five runs in the eighth inning to take a 5–3 lead that they would not relinquish.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-cruise-for-seven-innings-before-running-aground-against-minnesota-twins|title=Toronto Blue Jays cruise for seven innings before running aground against Minnesota Twins|last=Elliott|first=Bob|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2016}} The Blue Jays ended the four-game series on a high note, winning the finale 3–1 thanks to another strong pitching performance from staff ace Marcus Stroman.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/toronto-blue-jays-top-heavy-lineup-wins-3-1-against-minnesota-twins/article30117179/|title=Toronto Blue Jays' top-heavy lineup wins 3-1 against Minnesota Twins|last=Hall|first=Brian|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=May 22, 2016|access-date=May 24, 2016}} The Jays ended their road trip playing the Yankees for three games. In 2015, Toronto played to an 8–2 record in New York. Their first game did not go as planned, as the Yankees handed the Jays their second shutout of the season, 6–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/05/24/yankees-throttle-blue-jays-in-series-opener.html|title=Yankees throttle Blue Jays in series opener|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=May 24, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016}} Russell Martin hit his first two home runs of the 2016 season in the second game, leading the Blue Jays to an 8–4 victory, their first of the season when allowing 4 or more runs.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180314796/russell-martin-positive-with-hr-drought-over|title=Snapping personal drought, Martin sees positives|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527153849/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180314796/russell-martin-positive-with-hr-drought-over|url-status=dead}} The game also saw the return of Devon Travis, who went 1–4 at the plate and scored a run.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180232772/blue-jays-devon-travis-activated-from-dl|title=Travis returns, lengthening Blue Jays' lineup|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-date=May 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527122110/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180232772/blue-jays-devon-travis-activated-from-dl|url-status=dead}} In their final road game of May, the Blue Jays held New York to a single run, taking the series with a 3–1 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360526110|title=Happ pitches Blue Jays past Yankees, Sabathia in 3-1 win|work=ESPN|date=May 27, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016}}

Returning home after a 5–2 road trip, the Blue Jays clashed with the first-place Red Sox for three games. Prior to the start of the first game, Major League Baseball announced that José Bautista's suspension had been upheld, and he was subsequently removed from the starting line-up. Josh Donaldson led the Jays to a 7–5 victory that night, hitting 2 home runs and knocking in 5 runs.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/donaldson-powers-blue-jays-past-red-sox-7-023030089--mlb.html|title=Donaldson powers Blue Jays past Red Sox 7-5|last=Attfield|first=Paul|work=sports.yahoo.com|date=May 28, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531163749/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/donaldson-powers-blue-jays-past-red-sox-7-023030089--mlb.html|url-status=dead}} With the Red Sox leading 8–4 in the second game, the Jays battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, David Ortiz hit his 40th career home run at the Rogers Centre, giving Boston a 9–8 lead. With Craig Kimbrel on to preserve the lead, Justin Smoak hit a two-out single to put the tying run on base. After pinch runner Ezequiel Carrera advanced to third base on an error, Russell Martin drilled an RBI double to tie the game. Martin advanced to third base on a passed ball, before Devon Travis hit a walk-off single to complete the comeback, 10–9.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180719060/devon-travis-walk-off-single-lifts-blue-jays|title=Travis hits walk-off single to beat Red Sox|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Browne|first2=Ian|work=MLB.com|date=May 28, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|archive-date=May 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529112017/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/180719060/devon-travis-walk-off-single-lifts-blue-jays|url-status=dead}} David Price got the start in the final game of the series, making his first appearance in Toronto since signing a seven-year, $217 million contract with the Red Sox. Boston would take the game, 5–3, after scoring two runs in the eleventh inning to take the lead.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-cant-complete-swep-red-sox-prices-return/|title=Blue Jays can't complete sweep of Red Sox in Price's return|work=Sportsnet|date=May 29, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016}} The Jays closed out May with a home series against the Yankees. Marco Estrada pitched eight scoreless innings in the first game, leading Toronto to a 4–2 win.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/nova-struggles-sinker-yankees-lose-4-2-blue-030033728--mlb.html|title=Nova struggles with sinker, Yankees lose 4-2 to Blue Jays|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=sports.yahoo.com|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613032722/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nova-struggles-sinker-yankees-lose-4-2-blue-030033728--mlb.html|url-status=dead}} The second game of the series went into the seventh inning tied 1–1, before hits from Kevin Pillar and Darwin Barney drove in three runs to seal a 4–1 win for the Jays.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/kevin-pillar-lifts-blue-jays-in-4-1-win-over-yankees-1.2925881|title=Kevin Pillar lifts Blue Jays in 4-1 win over Yankees|last=Chidley-Hill|first=John|work=ctvnews.ca|date=May 31, 2016|access-date=June 1, 2016}}

The Blue Jays would complete their first sweep of the season with a 7–0 victory over the Yankees on June 1, with the Jays scoring five runs off Kirby Yates and Nick Goody in the seventh inning.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/blue-jays-sweep-yankees-with-shutout-c181565392|title=Blue Jays blank Yanks to complete sweep|last1=Hoch|first1=Bryan|last2=Ravjiani|first2=Alykhan|work=MLB.com|date=June 1, 2016|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605031918/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/181565392/blue-jays-sweep-yankees-with-shutout|url-status=live}} After a day off, Toronto began a six-game road trip with three games against the Red Sox. R. A. Dickey took a no-hitter into the sixth inning in the first game of the series, and the Blue Jays offence got the better of David Price in a 5–2 victory. The Blue Jays also ended a 26-game hitting streak by Xander Bogaerts in the game.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-stay-on-a-roll-with-win-over-red-sox/article30279456/|title=Blue Jays stay on a roll with win over Red Sox|last=Golen|first=Jimmy|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2016}} In the second game, Marcus Stroman was hit hard by the Red Sox offence. He allowed six earned runs for the third time in his last four games and took the loss, 6–4.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/stroman-hit-hard-by-red-sox-again-blue-jays-lose-6-4-1.2931856|title=Stroman hit hard by Red Sox again, Blue Jays lose 6-4|last=Powtak|first=Ken|work=toronto.ctvnews.ca|date=June 4, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2016}} In the rubber match, Marco Estrada took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before yielding a solo home run to Chris Young. Roberto Osuna would close out the 5–4 win with a rocky ninth inning, in which he surrendered two runs on four hits. The series victory gave the Blue Jays a 9–3 record over their run of 12 straight games against Boston and New York.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/marco-estradas-near-no-hitter-comes-no-surprise/|title=Marco Estrada's near no-hitter comes as no surprise|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2016}} The Blue Jays concluded their road trip with three games in Detroit. The Tigers' rookie pitcher Michael Fulmer held Toronto off the board in the first game, winning 11–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/06/06/blue-jays-no-match-for-fulmer-tigers-in-11-0-loss/85539590/|title=Blue Jays no match for Fulmer, Tigers in 11-0 loss|work=usatoday.com|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Aaron Sanchez pitched a gem in the second game of the series, shutting out the Tigers over eight innings. In the ninth frame, Sanchez allowed two hits and one run, before turning the game over to the bullpen, who were unable to hold the lead. The Tigers would win the game in the tenth inning, 3–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-tigers-aaron-sanchez-1.3621343|title=Blue Jays waste Aaron Sanchez gem, lose to Tigers in extra innings|work=cbc.ca|date=June 7, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Toronto avoided the sweep with a 7–2 victory, led by Josh Donaldson, who finished a double shy of the cycle.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/08/donaldson-leads-jays-to-7-2-win-over-tigers|title=Donaldson leads Jays to 7-2 win over Tigers|last=Longley|first=Rob|work=torontosun.com|date=June 8, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}}

File:Michael Saunders three home runs.jpg

Returning home, the Blue Jays squared-off against the first-place Orioles. Baltimore would come out on top of the first game, 6–5, taking advantage of a struggling Marcus Stroman.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/stroman-struggles-again-blue-jays-lose-6-5-to-orioles/2016/06/09/0556c55e-2ebf-11e6-b9d5-3c3063f8332c_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611034209/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/stroman-struggles-again-blue-jays-lose-6-5-to-orioles/2016/06/09/0556c55e-2ebf-11e6-b9d5-3c3063f8332c_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2016|title=Stroman struggles again, Blue Jays lose 6-5 to Orioles|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=washingtonpost.com|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Game two went into extra innings, tied 3–3, before Edwin Encarnación hit a walk-off solo home run in the tenth inning.{{cite web|title=Encarnacion homers to give Blue Jays walkoff victory over Orioles|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/encarnacion-homers-give-blue-jays-walkoff-victory-orioles/|work=Sportsnet|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Encarnación drove in five runs the following day, leading the Jays to an 11–6 victory.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/edwin-encarnacion-drives-in-five-runs-as-toronto-blue-jays-beat-baltimore-orioles|title=Edwin Encarnacion drives in five runs as Toronto Blue Jays beat Baltimore Orioles 11-6|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=nationalpost.com|date=June 11, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} In the fourth and final game of the series, the Blue Jays beat up on Ubaldo Jiménez, knocking him out of the game in the first inning after scoring five runs. Baltimore would claw back to within a run in the ninth inning, before Jason Grilli was able to end the game, 10–9, and earn his first save with Toronto.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/06/12/blue-jays-outlast-baltimore-in-sunday-slugfest.html|title=Blue Jays outlast Baltimore in Sunday slugfest|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=June 12, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} Following the series with Baltimore, the Philadelphia Phillies would come to Toronto for a home-and-home series against the Jays. The potent Toronto offence was stymied by Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff, losing the first game 7–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.thespec.com/sports-story/6721397-dickey-takes-loss-blue-jays-blanked-7-0-by-phillies/|title=Dickey takes loss, Blue Jays blanked 7-0 by Phillies|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=thespec.com|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} They would get back on track in the second game, knocking around Zach Eflin in his Major League debut. Josh Donaldson would hit a grand slam, and Ezequiel Carrera, Kevin Pillar, and Edwin Encarnación also hit home runs in an 11–3 trouncing.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/06/14/josh-donaldsons-grand-slam-leads-jays-to-win-over-phillies.html|title=Banner day for Josh Donaldson as Blue Jays trounce Phillies|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=June 14, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} After travelling to Philadelphia for the second half of the series, Marco Estrada lead the Jays to a 7–2 win with his tenth consecutive start allowing five or fewer hits, which extended his franchise record.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-pitching-offence-sync-win-phillies/|title=Blue Jays' pitching and offence in sync in win over Phillies|work=Sportsnet|date=June 15, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} The Blue Jays offence would again prove to be too much for Phillies pitching to handle, as a five home run game led Toronto to a 13–2 win in the series finale.{{cite web|title=Five home runs lift Blue Jays over Phillies|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/184465546/jays-hit-two-home-runs-in-first-inning-in-win|last1=Zolecki|first1=Todd|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016|archive-date=June 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618145544/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/184465546/jays-hit-two-home-runs-in-first-inning-in-win|url-status=dead}} The win came at a price, as José Bautista left the game with a left foot injury. The following day, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-place-jose-bautista-disabled-list/|title=Blue Jays place Jose Bautista on disabled list|work=Sportsnet|date=June 17, 2016|access-date=June 17, 2016}} In the first game of the Blue Jays road series against Baltimore, Michael Saunders became the fourth Canadian player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a game, and led the Toronto offence to their fifth game with double-digit runs scored in their last seven games played.{{cite web|title=Saunders' 3 HRs, 8 RBIs carry Blue Jays past Orioles|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/saunders-3-hrs-8-rbis-carry-blue-jays-past-orioles/|work=Sportsnet|date=June 17, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016}} Baltimore would end the Jays four-game winning streak the following day, winning 4–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-four-game-winning-streak-ends-with-4-2-loss-to-orioles/article30515082/|title=Blue Jays' four-game winning streak ends with 4-2 loss to Orioles|last=Ginsburg|first=David|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=June 18, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016}} The Orioles would take the series with an 11–6 win in the final game of the series, driving Marcus Stroman's ERA to a career-high 5.23.{{cite web|title=Despite pair of HRs, Blue Jays fall in finale|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/184988124/matt-wieters-leads-as-orioles-beat-blue-jays|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Ghiroli|first2=Brittany|work=MLB.com|date=June 19, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016|archive-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621133834/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/184988124/matt-wieters-leads-as-orioles-beat-blue-jays|url-status=dead}}

The Blue Jays opened a brief two-game homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks after an off-day. Marco Estrada and the Toronto bullpen held the Diamondbacks to just three hits in the first game, but Arizona would win 4–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=360621114|title=D-backs beat Blue Jays 4-2 for 5th straight win|work=ESPN|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} The Jays would split the series, taking the final game 5–2 thanks to home runs from Russell Martin, Troy Tulowitzki, and Edwin Encarnación.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/martin-encarnacion-tulowitzki-homer-blue-jays-diamondbacks-1.3648354|title=Russell Martin's 3-run shot leads homer parade vs. Diamondbacks|work=cbc.ca|date=June 22, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} Toronto would fall to 0–4 against the Chicago White Sox in 2016, losing the first game of their six-game road trip by a score of 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/06/24/blue-jays-lose-series-opener-to-white-sox.html|title=Blue Jays lose series opener to White Sox|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=June 24, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} In the second game, the Toronto pitching staff would yield seven home runs to the White Sox, however the Blue Jays would hold on to win 10–8.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-surrender-seven-home-runs-but-still-prevail-over-chicago-white-sox-10-8-in-wild-slugfest|title=Toronto Blue Jays surrender seven home runs, but still prevail over Chicago White Sox 10-8 in wild slugfest|last=Buffery|first=Steve|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=June 25, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} The White Sox would take the series with a 5–2 win in the third and final game, with ace Chris Sale earning his league-leading thirteenth win.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/toronto-blue-jays-lose-to-white-sox-5-2-in-chicago-1.2962416|title=Toronto Blue Jays lose to White Sox 5-2 in Chicago|work=toronto.ctvnews.ca|date=June 26, 2016|access-date=June 26, 2016}} The Blue Jays would then travel to Colorado to take on the Rockies. In 15 games between Toronto and Colorado, the road team had never defeated the home team. The Rockies would keep that streak alive in the first game, defeating the Jays 9–5 after scoring six runs in the seventh inning.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-rockies-1.3655338|title=Blue Jays fall apart in loss to Rockies|work=cbc.ca|date=June 27, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} Toronto would end the streak in the second game of the series, 14–9, with J. A. Happ earning his tenth win of the season in a game that was delayed for almost three hours due to a hail storm.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/06/29/blue-jays-win-game-of-survival-in-colorado-to-beat-rockies.html|title=Blue Jays win game of survival in Colorado to beat Rockies|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=June 29, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} The Blue Jays would take the series with a 5–3 win in the finale, led by another strong pitching performance by Aaron Sanchez.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/aaron-sanchez-does-it-all-as-toronto-blue-jays-win-first-series-at-coors-field|title=Aaron Sanchez does it all as Toronto Blue Jays win first series at Coors Field|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=June 29, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}} To close June, the Blue Jays returned home to take on the red-hot Cleveland Indians, who entered the series on a 12-game winning streak. They would continue to roll in the first game of the four-game series, winning 4–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/06/30/carrasco-overpowers-blue-jays-to-keep-indians-rolling|title=Carrasco overpowers Blue Jays to keep Indians rolling|last=Ganter|first=Mike|work=torontosun.com|date=June 30, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}}

The second game against Cleveland on Canada Day turned into a marathon match, stretching into the nineteenth inning tied 1–1. While the Indians used Trevor Bauer, who had been scheduled to start the third game of the series, the Blue Jays eventually turned to position players Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney to pitch late in the game. Barney would yield the go-ahead run in the top of the nineteenth, leading to a 2–1 win for Cleveland. The game was not without controversy, as Edwin Encarnación, John Gibbons, and Russell Martin were all ejected by home-plate umpire Vic Carapazza for arguing about the strike zone.{{cite web|title=Jays lose 19-inning marathon 2-1 against Cleveland Indians|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/jays-lose-19-inning-marathon-2-1-against-cleveland-indians-1.2970153|last=Strong|first=Gregory|work=ctvnews.ca|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2016}} Toronto would end Cleveland's 14-game winning streak with a 9–6 win the following day.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2800196/toronto-outscores-cleveland-9-6-to-end-indians-14-game-winning-streak/|title=Toronto outscores Cleveland 9-6 to end Indians' 14-game winning streak|last=Strong|first=Gregory|work=globalnews.ca|date=July 2, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2016}} Prior to the series finale, Edwin Encarnación was suspended for one game after bumping into umpire Vic Carapazza on Canada Day. Encarnación appealed the suspension, and was allowed to play.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/edwin-encarnacion-appeals-one-game-suspension-for-bumping-umpire-vic-carapazza|title=Edwin Encarnacion appeals one-game suspension for bumping umpire Vic Carapazza|work=nationalpost.com|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} In the game, the high-octane Toronto offence would crush Corey Kluber and the Indians by a score of 17–1. J. A. Happ became the Blue Jays' first pitcher with eleven wins prior to the All-Star break since Roy Halladay in 2008.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/187688056/blue-jays-dominate-at-plate-in-lopsided-finale|title=Blue Jays dominate at plate in lopsided finale|last1=Ravjiani|first1=Alykhan|last2=Bastian|first2=Jordan|work=MLB.com|date=July 3, 2016|access-date=July 4, 2016|archive-date=July 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704133443/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/187688056/blue-jays-dominate-at-plate-in-lopsided-finale|url-status=dead}} The Blue Jays then battled the Kansas City Royals in a rematch of the 2015 ALCS. Aaron Sanchez earned his ninth win of the season in the first game of the three-game series, holding the Royals to one run over his eight innings pitched.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/blue-jays-beat-kansas-city-royals-6-2-1.2973121|title=Blue Jays beat Kansas City Royals 6-2|last=Couto|first=Melissa|work=toronto.ctvnews.ca|date=July 4, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} The Blue Jays would prevail in the second game, 8–3, led by a two-home run game from Josh Donaldson. During the game, the starting and reserve rosters for the 2016 All-Star Game were announced. Donaldson, Edwin Encarnación, and Marco Estrada were all named as All-Star reserves.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/07/05/josh-donaldson-propels-blue-jays-over-royals.html|title=Josh Donaldson propels Blue Jays over Royals|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} In addition, Michael Saunders was named as one of five American League Final Vote candidates.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-saunders-named-fan-vote-final-spot-al-star-squad/|title=Blue Jays' Saunders named to fan vote for final spot on AL all-star squad|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} Marcus Stroman would lead the Jays to a sweep of the Royals with a 4–2 victory in the final game.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/stroman-saunders-lead-jays-over-royals-to-complete-sweep/article30785327/|title=Stroman, Saunders lead Jays over Royals to complete sweep|last=Ross|first=Jamie|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=July 6, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} To close out the unofficial first half of the season, Toronto took on the Detroit Tigers for four games. The Blue Jays would come from behind in the first game of the series, with Troy Tulowitzki driving in the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Roberto Osuna would close out the 5–4 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/blue-jays-beat-tigers-5-4-6th-straight-062750054.html|title=Blue Jays beat Tigers 5-4 for 6th straight MLB victory|work=yahoo.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016|archive-date=July 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708132539/https://www.yahoo.com/news/blue-jays-beat-tigers-5-4-6th-straight-062750054.html|url-status=dead}} Prior to the second game, Saunders was announced as the Final Vote winner, and became the fourth Toronto representative for the All-Star game.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-michael-saunders-wins-final-vote-earns-star-spot/|title=Blue Jays' Michael Saunders wins final vote, earns All-Star spot|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2016}} J. A. Happ would lead the Blue Jays to a 6–0 victory that night, earning his twelfth win of the season and tying his career-high in wins.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/07/08/ja-happ-shuts-down-tigers-as-blue-jays-win-7th-straight-game|title=J.A. Happ shuts down Tigers as Blue Jays win 7th straight game|last=Mauntah|first=Richard|work=torontosun.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} The Tigers would end Toronto's seven-game winning streak the following day, winning 3–2.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/sanchez-not-particularly-sharp-blue-jays-needed/|title=Blue Jays offence lets down Sanchez in loss to Tigers|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=July 9, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} After the game, Aaron Sanchez was named as Craig Kimbrel's replacement to the All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-aaron-sanchez-added-star-team/|title=Blue Jays' Aaron Sanchez added to all-star team|work=Sportsnet|date=July 9, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016}} In the final game before the All-Star break, R. A. Dickey would hold the Tigers offence to a single run in a 6–1 Blue Jays victory. Edwin Encarnación sat out of this game after choosing to drop his appeal of the one-game suspension he received earlier in the month.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/189050942/blue-jays-beat-tigers-to-close-out-first-half/|title=Donaldson, Dickey lead Blue Jays past Tigers|last1=Ravjiani|first1=Alykhan|last2=Beck|first2=Jason|work=MLB.com|date=July 10, 2016|access-date=July 10, 2016|archive-date=July 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712135645/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/189050942/blue-jays-beat-tigers-to-close-out-first-half/|url-status=dead}}

{{multiple image|align=right|caption_align=center|header_align=center

| image1 = UptonTB.jpg

| alt1 = Melvin Upton Jr. (then known as B.J. Upton) with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011

| width1 = 150

| image2 = Joaquin Benoit.jpg

| alt2 = Joaquín Benoit with the Detroit Tigers in 2011

| width2 = 204

| footer = The Blue Jays acquired Melvin Upton Jr. and Joaquín Benoit in July.

}}

Following the All-Star break, the Blue Jays visited Oakland to play three games against the Athletics. The Blue Jays lost the very back-and-forth first game 8–7, despite leading 7–3 earlier on.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-stroman-struggles-loss-athletics-1.3682203|title=Blue Jays' Stroman struggles in loss to Athletics|work=cbc.ca|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}} They also lost the second game, 5–4; as R. A. Dickey allowed all of Oakland's runs on three home runs.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/dickey-hurt-by-3-homers-as-athletics-beat-blue-jays-5-4-1.2990069|title=Dickey hurt by 3 homers as Athletics beat Blue Jays, 5-4|last=Eymer|first=Rick|work=ctvnews.ca|date=July 16, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}} The Jays avoided getting swept, winning the finale 5–3 after Josh Donaldson doubled in the ninth inning to take the lead.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/07/17/donaldson-lifts-jays-to-5-3-victory-over-athletics|title=Donaldson lifts Jays to 5-3 victory over Athletics|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=July 17, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}} Following an off day, the Blue Jays played a two-game series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks. In the first game, Aaron Sanchez pitched seven innings and only surrendered one run, while Edwin Encarnación, who has a history of hitting well in Arizona, hit a three-run home run, helping Toronto win 5–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/07/19/blue-jays-diamondbacks-game|title=Sanchez, Encarnacion lead Jays to win over Diamondbacks|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}} The Jays completed the sweep the next day, this time winning 10–4, backed by eight strong innings from Marcus Stroman, who only allowed one run.{{cite web|title=Jays' Marcus Stroman bounces back to beat Diamondbacks: Griffin|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/07/20/jays-marcus-stroman-bounces-back-to-beat-diamondbacks.html|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2016}}

The Blue Jays returned home for a nine-game homestand to close out the month of July. Facing the Seattle Mariners for the first time in 2016, the Toronto offence was stymied by James Paxton and the Seattle bullpen, losing the first game 2–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/07/22/estrada-rusty-in-return-from-dl-blue-jays-lose-2-1/87468436/|title=Estrada rusty in return from DL, Blue Jays lose 2-1|work=usatoday.com|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} R. A. Dickey had the shortest outing of his Blue Jays career in the second game, going only three innings and allowing six earned runs, including a grand slam to Nelson Cruz. Seattle would score five more runs off Jesse Chavez and three off Drew Storen to take the second game of the series, 14–5.{{cite web|title=Mariners light up R. A. Dickey as Blue Jays lose second straight|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/07/23/mariners-light-up-ra-dickey-as-blue-jays-lose-second-straight|last=Mauntah|first=Richard|work=torontosun.com|date=July 23, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} The Blue Jays would avoid being swept, winning the final game of the series 2–0. J. A. Happ earned his thirteenth win of the season, establishing a new career-high in wins.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-avoid-sweep-with-2-0-win-over-mariners/article31092255/|title=Blue Jays avoid sweep with 2-0 win over Mariners|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} Shortly before the start of the third game against Seattle, Drew Storen was designated for assignment.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays designate struggling reliever Drew Storen for assignment|url=http://www.cp24.com/sports/toronto-blue-jays-news/blue-jays-designate-struggling-reliever-drew-storen-for-assignment-1.3000445|last=Coutu|first=Melissa|work=cp24.com|date=July 24, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} With trade rumours swirling, the Blue Jays took on the San Diego Padres for three games, which were the first games for the Padres in Toronto in franchise history. Aaron Sanchez earned his tenth consecutive winning decision, leading Toronto to a 4–2 victory with seven strong innings.{{cite web|title=Sanchez wins 10th straight as Blue Jays beat Padres 4-2|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20160725_SD@TOR/sanchez-wins-10th-straight-as-blue-jays-beat-padres-4-2|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=cbssports.com|date=July 25, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} Before the start of the second game, the Blue Jays and San Diego made a trade, with the Padres sending Melvin Upton Jr. and cash considerations to the Blue Jays for minor league pitcher Hansel Rodriguez.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-verge-acquiring-melvin-upton-jr-padres/|title=Blue Jays acquire outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from Padres|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} Upton would make his debut with the Jays in the seventh inning of the game, pinch-hitting and grounding into a fielder's choice. Tied 4–4, the game went into the twelfth inning, where Matt Kemp hit a two-run home run to give the Padres a 6–4 lead. However, the Blue Jays would battle back, scoring on a bases-loaded walk by José Bautista and a fielder's choice groundout by Josh Donaldson, before Devon Travis would score the winning run on a wild pitch to take the game, 7–6.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/travis-heroics-take-centre-stage-wild-blue-jays-win-padres/|title=Travis' heroics take centre stage in wild Blue Jays win over Padres|last=Zwelling|first=Arden|work=Sportsnet|date=July 26, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} Immediately following the game, the Blue Jays announced another trade. Drew Storen was sent to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Joaquín Benoit.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-trade-drew-storen-to-seattle-for-reliever-joaquin-benoit/article31130139/|title=Blue Jays trade Drew Storen to Seattle for reliever Joaquin Benoit|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016}} The Padres would come out on top in the final game of the series, hitting two home runs off starter R. A. Dickey to win 8–4. The two home runs increased Dickey's total to 26 on the season, which tied him for the league-lead in home runs allowed.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/192026512/ra-dickey-struggles-with-hrs-in-losing-start/|title=On short rest, Dickey struggles to curb homers|last=Chisholm|first=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=July 27, 2016|archive-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728233919/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/192026512/ra-dickey-struggles-with-hrs-in-losing-start/|url-status=dead}} The Blue Jays wrapped July by hosting the Baltimore Orioles, whom they trailed by 1{{frac|1|2}} games for the AL East lead, for a critical three-game series. The Blue Jays won the first game 6–5, aided by three solo home runs in the first inning and cutting the Orioles' division lead to half a game.{{cite web|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/bluejays/1384330-blue-jays-go-deep-three-times-in-first-beat-orioles-6-5|title=Blue Jays go deep three times in first, beat Orioles 6-5|last=Day|first=Gavin|work=The Canadian Press|date=July 30, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}} The next day, the Toronto defeated Baltimore 9–1, after scoring seven runs in the fifth inning and took a half-game lead in the division.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2857620/blue-jays-take-first-place-in-al-east-hammer-orioles-9-1/|title=Blue Jays take first place in AL East, hammer Orioles 9-1|work=The Canadian Press|date=July 30, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}} The Blue Jays would not complete the sweep and would lose their division lead in the final match of the series, giving up a 2–0 lead and eventually losing 6–2 in the twelfth inning. Troy Tulowitzki suffered a chip-fracture in his right thumb after being hit by a pitch, and left the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/orioles-blue-jays-1.3702737|title=Tulowitzki fractures thumb as Orioles reclaim AL East lead from Blue Jays|work=The Canadian Press|date=July 31, 2016|access-date=August 1, 2016}}

{{multiple image|align=left|caption_align=center|header_align=center

| image1 = Scott Feldman at Minute Maid Park in August 2014.jpg

| alt1 = Scott Feldman with the Houston Astros in 2014

| width1 = 150

| image2 = Francisco Liriano on August 27, 2012.jpg

| alt2 = Francisco Liriano with the Chicago White Sox in 2012

| width2 = 212

| footer = The Blue Jays acquired Scott Feldman and Francisco Liriano a few minutes before the trade deadline.

}}

The Blue Jays opened August with a four-game series in Houston. Prior to the game, the Blue Jays made three trades before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline. The first trade sent Jesse Chavez and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitcher Mike Bolsinger.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-deal-jesse-chavez-dodgers/|title=Blue Jays deal Jesse Chavez to Dodgers for RHP Mike Bolsinger|work=Sportsnet|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016}} Shortly after, the Jays made a trade with the Astros, sending minor league pitcher Guadalupe Chavez to Houston for Scott Feldman.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/astros-trade-scott-feldman-blue-jays.html|title=Blue Jays To Acquire Scott Feldman|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016}} With one minute remaining before the deadline, the Blue Jays traded Drew Hutchison to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Francisco Liriano, Reese McGuire, and Harold Ramírez.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/08/01/blue-jays-cash-in-with-late-liriano-swap.html|title=Blue Jays cash in with late Liriano swap|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=August 1, 2016|access-date=August 2, 2016}} The game against the Astros that night went tied 1–1 into extra innings. Scott Feldman ended up taking the loss for Toronto, yielding a lead-off single to Jose Altuve before Carlos Correa knocked him in with a walk-off double in the fourteenth inning. Marcus Stroman set a new career-high with 13 strikeouts in the game.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays squander strong start from Stroman, lose in extras|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/jays-lose-astros-extras-1.3703615|work=cbc.ca|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=August 4, 2016}} José Bautista hit his 300th career home run in the second game of the series as Toronto won 2–1, aided by a strong pitching performance from R. A. Dickey.{{cite web|title=Bautista hits 300th homer, Dickey sharp as Jays top Astros|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/bautista-hits-300th-homer-dickey-sharp-as-jays-top-astros/article31252495/|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=August 4, 2016}} Marco Estrada would hold Houston to a single run in the third game of the series, and the offence would hit three solo home runs to win 3–1.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/03/blue-jays-bombs-marco-estrada-too-much-for-astros|title=Blue Jays bombs, Marco Estrada too much for Astros|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=August 3, 2016|access-date=August 4, 2016}} The Blue Jays would capture the series in the final game, winning 4–1. Edwin Encarnación hit his 30th home run of the season, and J. A. Happ earned his 15th win, tying Stephen Strasburg for the MLB lead.{{cite web|title=Edwin homers, Happ rolls to AL-best 15th win|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/193696448/ja-happ-wins-15th-as-blue-jays-beat-astros/|last1=McTaggart|first1=Brian|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=August 4, 2016|access-date=August 4, 2016|archive-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806152817/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/193696448/ja-happ-wins-15th-as-blue-jays-beat-astros/|url-status=dead}} To close their road trip, the Blue Jays played three games in Kauffman Stadium against the Royals in Kansas City, Missouri. Devon Travis hit a leadoff home run in the first game to give the Jays an early lead, and in the ninth inning, he would hit a go-ahead home run to lead Toronto to a 4–3 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/travis-goes-deep-twice-blue-jays-win-opener-vs-royals/|title=Travis goes deep twice as Blue Jays win opener vs. Royals|work=Sportsnet|date=August 5, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}} Aaron Sanchez had his ten-game winning streak spanned by the Royals in the second game, losing 4–2.{{cite web|title=Sanchez, Blue Jays see win streaks snapped in loss to Royals|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/sanchezs-blue-jays-win-streaks-snapped-royals/|work=Sportsnet|date=August 6, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}} The Royals would take the series with a 7–1 win over the Blue Jays in the finale.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays hit a wall, lose second straight to Royals|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/07/blue-jays-hit-a-wall-lose-second-straight-to-royals|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=August 7, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}}

Returning home from a road trip that saw just 17 total runs of offence, the Blue Jays battled the Rays for three games. Devon Travis led the way in the first game, recording four hits for the first time in his career as the Blue Jays topped the Rays, 7–5.{{cite web|url=http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/blue-jays-bust-out-of-scoring-slump-in-7-5-win-over-rays-1.3020580|title=Blue Jays bust out of scoring slump in 7-5 win over Rays|last=Siegel|first=Jonas|work=ctvnews.ca|date=August 8, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}} The Rays would get the better of Marco Estrada and the Toronto bullpen in the second game, handing the Jays a 9–2 loss.{{cite web|title=Estrada struggles, Blue Jays bullpen can't contain Rays in loss|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/estrada-struggles-blue-jays-bullpen-cant-contain-rays-loss/|work=Sportsnet|date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}} In the series finale, J. A. Happ became the season's first 16-game winner, shutting out Tampa over six innings in a 7–0 win. As the Orioles lost their game to Oakland later that night, the victory put Toronto in first place by a full game for the first time in the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/194852466/ja-happ-wins-16th-blue-jays-shut-out-rays/|title=Happ first to 16 wins; Blue Jays alone in first|last1=Ravjiani|first1=Alykhan|last2=Chastain|first2=Bill|work=MLB.com|date=August 10, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016|archive-date=August 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812185048/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/194852466/ja-happ-wins-16th-blue-jays-shut-out-rays/|url-status=dead}} Looking to expand their division lead, the Jays took on the Astros once again. Former Blue Jays draftee Joe Musgrove made the start in the first game for Houston and pitched seven innings to lead the Astros to a 5–3 win over Toronto.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/liriano-struggles-in-home-debut-blue-jays-fall-5-3-to-astros-1.3027410|title=Liriano struggles in home debut; Blue Jays fall 5-3 to Astros|last=Siegel|first=Jonas|work=Sportsnet|publisher=ctvnews.ca|date=August 12, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016}} Aaron Sanchez put the Blue Jays in a 2–0 hole to begin the second game, but regrouped and pitched seven strong innings. Russell Martin would hit a three-run home run late in the game to lift the Blue Jays to a 4–2 victory. Roberto Osuna earned his 46th career save in the win, tying Terry Forster's record for saves prior to a pitcher's 22nd birthday.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/08/13/russell-martins-three-run-homer-sparks-blue-jays-win-over-astros.html|title=Russell Martin's three-run homer sparks Blue Jays win over Astros|last=Zwolinski|first=Mark|work=thestar.com|date=August 13, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016}} The Jays would take the series with a 9–2 win in the finale, led by a strong pitching performance by Marcus Stroman and home runs from Edwin Encarnación, Troy Tulowitzki, and Russell Martin.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/14/jays-dominate-astros-in-9-2-win|title=Jays dominate Astros in 9-2 win|last=Wolstat|first=Ryan|work=torontosun.com|date=August 14, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016}}

Embarking on their second road trip of August, the Blue Jays went to New York to take on the Yankees. Entering the series, the Jays had won four consecutive series at Yankee Stadium. Rookie Chad Green started the first game of the series for New York and dominated the Blue Jays, pitching six shutout innings and striking out eleven in a 1–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/greens-arm-judges-bat-lead-yankees-over-blue-jays-1-0/article31426155/|title=Green's arm, Judge's bat lead Yankees over Blue Jays 1-0|last=Walker|first=Ben|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=August 15, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016}} In the second game, the Yankees took a 5–0 lead into a 45-minute rain delay. After the rain, Scott Feldman would give up another run to New York before the Toronto offence would score 12 unanswered runs to win 12–6. Russell Martin hit two home runs and Troy Tulowitzki had four hits in a game for the first time as a Blue Jay.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-rally-eight-runs-eighth-inning-beat-yankees/|title=Blue Jays move back atop AL East with comeback win over Yankees|work=Sportsnet|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016}} Toronto would take the third and final game of the series by a score of 7–4, giving J. A. Happ his 17th win, which broke a tie with Rick Porcello for the league-lead. The Blue Jays became the sixth team in MLB history to win five consecutive road series against the Yankees, and the first since the Cleveland Indians in 1969.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/196139696/happs-mlb-best-17th-win-spurs-blue-jays/|title=Happ's MLB-best 17th win spurs Blue Jays|last1=Suss|first1=Nick|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=August 17, 2016|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818112722/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/196139696/happs-mlb-best-17th-win-spurs-blue-jays/|url-status=dead}} Coincidentally, the Blue Jays then travelled to Cleveland to play the Indians for three games in what some considered to be a playoff preview.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/series-preview-blue-jays-indians-matchup-prelude-post-season/|title=Series preview: Blue Jays-Indians matchup prelude to post-season?|last=Asano|first=Naoko|work=Sportsnet|date=August 19, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} Toronto took a 2–1 lead into the ninth inning of the first game, before Roberto Osuna allowed back-to-back solo home runs to give Cleveland the 3–2 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/08/19/back-to-back-ninth-inning-homers-lift-indians-over-blue-jays.html|title=Back-to-back ninth-inning homers lift Indians over Blue Jays|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=August 19, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} In the second game, the Blue Jays again took a one run lead into the ninth inning, however this time Osuna would close the game without issue, leading the Jays to a 6–5 win.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/redemption-for-roberto-osuna-as-toronto-blue-jays-hold-on-to-edge-cleveland-indians-6-5|title=Redemption for Roberto Osuna as Toronto Blue Jays hold on to edge Cleveland Indians 6-5|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} Prior to the series finale, the Blue Jays optioned Aaron Sanchez to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays to skip his next start, limit his innings, and allow his roster space to be used by Aaron Loup.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-option-sanchez-dunedin-call-loup/|title=Blue Jays option Aaron Sanchez to Dunedin, recall Aaron Loup|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=August 21, 2016}} Brett Cecil would be called upon to pitch the eighth inning of the finale, and protect a 2–1 lead. Cecil would allow a two-run home run to José Ramírez that gave the Indians a 3–2 lead they would not relinquish.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-squander-late-lead-loss-indians/|title=Blue Jays squander late lead in loss to Indians|work=Sportsnet|date=August 21, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}}

Coming back to Toronto with a 3–3 record over their road trip, the Blue Jays battled the last-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the first time in 2016. R. A. Dickey held the Angels to a single run over 6{{frac|2|3}} innings, leading Toronto to a 7–2 win.{{cite web|title=Blue Jays seize opportunity, down Angels 7-2|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/23/jays-seize-opportunity-down-angels-7-2|last=Ganter|first=Mike|work=torontosun.com|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} The Angels offence got to Marco Estrada early and often in the second game of the series, tagging him for a season-high ten hits and six runs and defeating the Jays 8–2.{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/estrada-struggles-as-blue-jays-lose-to-angels-8-2/2016/08/25/df3b0272-6a78-11e6-91cb-ecb5418830e9_story.html|title=Estrada struggles as Blue Jays lose to Angels 8-2|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=washingtonpost.com|date=August 25, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In the rubber match, the Angels handed J. A. Happ his first loss since June, taking the game and the series, 6–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/happ-loses-for-first-time-since-june-as-jays-fall-to-angels-1.555484|title=Jays fall to Angels, Happ streak snapped|work=TSN.ca|date=August 25, 2016|access-date=August 27, 2016}} Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing series against one last-place team, Toronto then took on another last-place team in the Minnesota Twins. The first game would see a resurgence for the Blue Jays offence, as Justin Smoak and Russell Martin each recorded 5 RBI to lead the Jays to a 15–8 victory.{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/baseball/jays-offence-ignites-in-15-8-win-over-twins|title=Jays offence ignites in 15-8 win over Twins|work=montrealgazette.com|date=August 26, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2016}} The Blue Jays trailed the Twins 5–1 in the next match of the series, before working their way back into the game. Down 7–6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Melvin Upton Jr. hit a triple and came in to score on an error by Max Kepler on the play, giving Toronto an 8–7 lead that they would successfully hold.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/upton-leads-blue-jays-to-8-7-win-over-twins/article31586284/|title=Upton leads Blue Jays to 8-7 win over Twins|last=Chidley-Hill|first=John|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=August 27, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2016}} The Blue Jays would complete the sweep with another come-from-behind victory, winning 9–6, and taking a two-game lead over the Red Sox for the division lead. Josh Donaldson hit three home runs for the first time in his career, and was showered with baseball caps from the fans after completing the hat-trick.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/198180632/torontos-josh-donaldson-has-first-3-hr-game/|title=Donaldson records first career three-homer game|last=Ravjiani|first=Alykhan|work=MLB.com|date=August 28, 2016|access-date=August 29, 2016|archive-date=August 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829123243/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/198180632/torontos-josh-donaldson-has-first-3-hr-game/|url-status=dead}}

Bringing August to a close, the Blue Jays embarked upon a crucial nine-game road trip against three AL East teams, beginning with the Baltimore Orioles. Marco Estrada would yield just a single run to the Baltimore offence, and Josh Donaldson would homer for the fourth time in two games to lead Toronto to a 5–1 win in the series opener. Dioner Navarro reported to the team before the game, and Josh Thole was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2910600/josh-donaldson-homers-again-blue-jays-beat-orioles-5-1/|title=Josh Donaldson homers again, Blue Jays beat Orioles 5-1|last=Karpovich|first=Todd|work=globalnews.ca|date=August 29, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} The Orioles would take the second game, 5–3, with Matt Wieters hitting a go-ahead, two-run home run off Jason Grilli in the eighth inning.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/grillis-momentum-stalls-blue-jays-loss-orioles/|title=Grilli's momentum stalls in Blue Jays' loss to Orioles|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|work=Sportsnet|date=August 30, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} Aaron Sanchez was recalled from Advanced-A Dunedin to make the start in the series finale, and held the Orioles to a single unearned run through six innings of work. Sanchez would earn his 13th win of the season, as the Blue jays took the series, 5–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/bautista-martin-power-blue-jays-past-orioles-5-3/article31657241/|title=Bautista, Martin power Blue Jays past Orioles 5-3|last=Karpovich|first=Todd|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=August 31, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} Shortly before the end of the month, Josh Thole was re-signed by the Blue Jays, allowing him to maintain his postseason roster eligibility. To make room on the roster, Devon Travis was optioned to the Rookie-Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-thole-1.3744771|title=Blue Jays bring back catcher Josh Thole|work=cbc.ca|date=September 1, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}}

File:J. A. Happ 2016.jpg

After an off-day to begin September, the Blue Jays battled the Rays at Tropicana Field. As the Bluefield season ended on September 1, Devon Travis was able to be recalled without waiting ten days. In addition, the Blue Jays recalled Danny Barnes, Darrell Ceciliani, Dalton Pompey, and Ryan Tepera due to the September roster expansion, and added Matt Dermody to the roster.{{cite web|url=http://www.cp24.com/sports/blue-jays-add-canadian-outfielder-pompey-six-others-in-roster-expansion-1.3056412|title=Blue Jays add Canadian outfielder Pompey, six others in roster expansion|work=cp24.com|date=September 2, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} In the game against Tampa that night, the Rays took advantage of a shaky night for the Toronto pitching staff, taking the opener 8–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/02/stroman-blue-jays-lose-8-3-to-rays/89812984/|title=Stroman, Blue Jays lose 8-3 to Rays|work=usatoday.com|date=September 2, 2016|access-date=September 2, 2016}} Blake Snell held the Jays offence to a single run in the second game of the three-game series. The Blue Jays mounted a late-game comeback, scoring four runs in the ninth but fell short, losing 7–5. The loss moved Toronto into a tie with the Boston Red Sox, who defeated Oakland later that day, for the lead in the AL East.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/jays-rally-falls-short-1.3747738|title=Blue Jays' late rally falls short against Rays|work=cbc.ca|date=September 3, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} Toronto would avoid being swept by taking the third game by a score of 5–3, thanks in large part to 6{{frac|1|3}} scoreless innings from the bullpen.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/russell-martin-helps-blue-jays-avoid-sweep-vs-rays/|title=Russell Martin helps Blue Jays avoid sweep vs. Rays|work=Sportsnet|date=September 4, 2016|access-date=September 4, 2016}} Looking to rebound from another disappointing series in St. Petersburg, the Blue Jays took on the Yankees to close their road trip. R. A. Dickey allowed five runs in four innings pitched in the first game, giving the Yankees a 5–3 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/05/blue-jays-labour-5-3-loss-to-yankees|title=Blue Jays labour in loss to Yankees|last=Buffery|first=Steve|work=torontosun.com|date=September 5, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} Toronto held a 4–3 lead in the eighth inning before Jason Grilli yielded four runs to put the Jays down 7–4. The Blue Jays would battle back in the ninth, scoring two runs off Yankees closer Dellin Betances and loading the bases against his replacement, Blake Parker. Parker would end the game, getting Justin Smoak to flyout to the left field warning track and giving the Yankees a 7–6 win, which would be credited to relief pitcher Chasen Shreve.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/06/blue-jays-9th-inning-rally-comes-up-short-in-nailbiting-loss-to-yankees|title=Blue Jays' 9th inning rally falls short in nailbiting loss to Yankees|last=Buffery|first=Steve|work=torontosun.com|date=September 6, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} The Blue Jays would be swept for the first time on the road this season, losing the finale by a 2–0 score.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/09/07/blue-jays-shut-out-swept-in-the-bronx.html|title=Blue Jays swept by Yankees, fall to second place in AL East|last=Kennedy|first=Brendan|work=thestar.com|date=September 7, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}}

Coming home after a disappointing 3–6 road trip, the Blue Jays set their sights on the division-leading Red Sox. Marco Estrada continued to struggle, pitching just 2{{frac|2|3}} innings and allowing four runs. The bullpen fared much worse, as Boston starter Rick Porcello became MLB's first 20-game winner of the 2016 season in a 13–3 Red Sox win.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2016/09/09/estrada-struggles-as-slumping-blue-jays-lose-13-3-to-red-sox/90170082/|title=Estrada struggles as slumping Blue Jays lose 13-3 to Red Sox|work=usatoday.com|date=September 9, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} J. A. Happ held the high-powered Boston offence to two runs in six innings pitched in the second game, while Melvin Upton Jr. and José Bautista provided all the offence Toronto would need in a 3–2 win to break a four-game losing streak.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2932539/uptons-home-run-helps-toronto-blue-jays-beat-boston-red-sox-3-2-in-crucial-win/|title=Upton's home run helps Toronto Blue Jays beat Boston Red Sox 3-2 in crucial win|last=Chidley-Hill|first=John|work=globalnews.ca|date=September 10, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} Boston would take the final game of the three-game series, 11–8, giving Toronto three consecutive series losses.{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/11/sanchez-struggles-with-blister-jays-lose-11-8-to-r/|title=Sanchez struggles with blister, Jays lose 11-8 to Red Sox|last=Harrison|first=Ian|work=washingtontimes.com|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} To end their six-game homestand, the Blue Jays took on Tampa for the last time in 2016. Ezequiel Carrera would hit a go-ahead, pinch hit solo home run in the eighth inning to give Toronto a 3–2 lead that they would not relinquish.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/pinch-hit-homer-lifts-blue-jays-to-3-2-win-over-rays-1.3069415|title=Pinch-hit homer lifts Blue Jays to 3-2 win over Rays|last=Coutu|first=Melissa|work=ctvnews.ca|date=September 12, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} The Rays pitching, as they had done several times in 2016, shut down the Blue Jays offence in the second game of the series, pitching to a 6–2 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-slow-start-september-continues-loss-rays/|title=Blue Jays' slow start to September continues with loss to Rays|work=Sportsnet|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016}} In their final game against the Rays, the Blue Jays managed just two hits in an 8–1 loss that dropped their September record to a dismal 3–9. Josh Donaldson missed the entire series with a hip injury, and had an MRI during the final game.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/201281270/dropped-by-rays-blue-jays-hold-spot-in-races/|title=Blue Jays lose to Rays, hold ground in AL races|last1=Ravjiani|first1=Alykhan|last2=Chastain|first2=Bill|work=MLB.com|date=September 14, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2016|archive-date=September 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915231409/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/201281270/dropped-by-rays-blue-jays-hold-spot-in-races/|url-status=dead}}

In desperate need of wins, the Blue Jays began a west-coast road trip against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Josh Donaldson returned to the lineup and led the Jays to a 7–2 victory, with J. A. Happ picking up his 19th win of the season.{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/mlb/josh-donaldson-returns-in-style-smashing-three-hits-in-blue-jays-7-2-win-over-angels|title=Josh Donaldson returns in style, smashing three hits in Toronto Blue Jays' 7-2 win over Los Angeles Angels|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=news.nationalpost.com|date=September 16, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} R. A. Dickey, making possibly his final start as a Blue Jay, held the Angels scoreless over his five innings in Toronto's 5–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/09/17/tulowitzki-blast-sparks-jays-past-angels.html|title=Tulowitzki blast sparks Jays past Angels|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=September 17, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} The Angels would hold the Blue Jays to a single run in the third game, winning 6–1 and dropping the Jays to three games back of the division-leading Red Sox.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/201952632/toronto-slips-in-al-east-after-loss-to-angels/|title=Blue Jays fall to Halos, slip to 3 back in East|last1=Baer|first1=Jack|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=September 17, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016|archive-date=September 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921002643/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/201952632/toronto-slips-in-al-east-after-loss-to-angels/|url-status=dead}} Los Angeles would split the series, taking the fourth and final game 4–0. With the loss, Toronto fell four games back to Boston in the AL East.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/09/18/jays-fall-behind-orioles-after-loss-to-angels.html|title=Cold bats undercut Blue Jays pitching in Angels series split: Griffin|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=September 18, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} To close their road play on the west coast, the Blue Jays played a crucial series against the Seattle Mariners. Entering play, Toronto held the second wild-card spot, while the Mariners were two games back. With thousands of western Canadians making the trip to Seattle given Seattle's proximity to the Canadian border, Marco Estrada led the Jays to a 3–2 win in the first game.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/20/estrada-leads-blue-jays-to-3-2-win-over-mariners|title=Estrada leads Blue Jays to crucial win over Mariners|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=September 20, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} J. A. Happ became the sixth 20-game winner in Blue Jays franchise history in the second game of the series, winning 10–2. Russell Martin and Michael Saunders each hit home runs in the fourth inning to become the first Canadian teammates in MLB history to have 20 or more home runs in a season.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2016/09/21/blue-jays-canadians-make-home-run-history-in-win-over-mariners-griffin.html|title=Blue Jays' Canadians make home-run history in win over Mariners: Griffin|last=Griffin|first=Richard|work=thestar.com|date=September 21, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} The Mariners would avoid the sweep, taking the final game 2–1 in the twelfth inning. With the Orioles being swept by the Red Sox on Toronto's off day, the Jays moved into the first wild card position.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/21/blue-jays-cant-sweep-mariners-suffer-crushing-loss-in-12-innings|title=Blue Jays can't sweep Mariners, suffer crushing loss in 12 innings|last=Fidlin|first=Ken|work=torontosun.com|date=September 21, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}}

The Blue Jays returned to the Rogers Centre for their final homestand of the 2016 regular season; first by taking on the Yankees. The Toronto offence exploded in the first game, and Francisco Liriano had his best start as a Blue Jay, shutting out New York through his six innings in a 9–0 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/liriano-dominates-bats-explode-blue-jays-win-yankees/|title=Liriano dominates, bats explode in Blue Jays' win over Yankees|work=Sportsnet|date=September 23, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} The second game went tied 0–0 into the eighth inning, before José Bautista launched a three-run home run off Yankees reliever Tyler Clippard to lift Toronto to a 3–0 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/bautistas-late-heroics-lift-blue-jays-win-yankees/|title=Bautista's late heroics lift Blue Jays to win over Yankees|work=Sportsnet|date=September 24, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} In the third game, Bautista hit a tie-breaking solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving the Blue Jays a 2–1 lead. In the ninth, the Yankees would score two runs off closer Roberto Osuna to take a 3–2 lead. With Tyler Clippard pitching for the second consecutive day, Ezequiel Carrera would tie the game with a perfectly executed safety squeeze before Edwin Encarnación hit a walk-off single to win 4–3.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-yankees-1.3778165|title=Encarnacion's 9th-inning heroics lift Jays over Yankees|last=Davidson|first=Neil|work=cbc.ca|date=September 25, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2016}} The final game was marred by two bench-clearing brawls in the second inning. Yankees starter Luis Severino hit Josh Donaldson on the elbow in the first inning, and J. A. Happ retaliated in the top of the second, first throwing behind Chase Headley and then hitting him on the hip. Home plate umpire Todd Tichenor issued a warning to both teams, and after the first uneventful brawl, Yankees manager Joe Girardi was ejected for arguing the warning. In the bottom half of the second, Severino threw behind Justin Smoak and then hit him, leading to the second brawl. Severino was immediately ejected, and after order had been restored Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild and bench coach Rob Thomson were also ejected. Toronto led 3–2 heading into the ninth inning, but New York would score five runs to take the lead. The Jays rally would fall short, as the Yankees avoided the sweep, 7–5.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/yankees-blue-jays-sweep-1.3779806|title=Blue Jays miss sweep of Yankees in testy series finale|work=cbc.ca|date=September 26, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016}} Holding the first wild-card position, the Blue Jays played their final regular season home series against Baltimore, who held the second wild-card spot entering play. Aaron Sanchez held the high-powered Orioles offence to a single run in the first game, striking out ten in a 5–1 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/sanchez-gets-blue-jays-back-track-win-orioles/|title=Sanchez gets Blue Jays back on track with win over Orioles|last=Davidi|first=Shi|work=Sportsnet|date=September 27, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016}} The Blue Jays would drop the second game, 3–2, despite taking a 2–1 lead into the ninth inning. With the Blue Jays loss, the Boston Red Sox clinched the division.{{cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/2971200/blue-jays-loss-to-orioles-hands-al-east-title-to-red-sox/|title=Blue Jays loss to Orioles hands AL East title to Red Sox|last=Strong|first=Gregory|work=globalnews.ca|date=September 28, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016}} Toronto was shut out in their final regular season home game, 4–0, and moved into a tie with Baltimore for the top wild-card position heading into the final weekend of the season.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/29/blue-jays-bats-silent-in-shutout-loss-to-orioles|title=Blue Jays bats silent in shutout loss to Orioles|last=Wolstat|first=Ryan|work=torontosun.com|date=September 29, 2016|access-date=September 30, 2016}}

Looking to ensure a postseason berth, the Blue Jays closed out the season by visiting the division-winning Boston Red Sox. Toronto lost the first game, 5–3, after Brett Cecil surrendered what would be David Ortiz's final regular-season home run. Baltimore also defeated New York, causing the Blue Jays to fall a game behind the Orioles for the top wild-card spot.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/ortiz-sox-beat-jays-1.3787227|title=Blue Jays lose ground in wild card race after loss to Red Sox|work=cbc.ca|date=September 30, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}} The next day, Toronto defeated Boston, 4–3, thanks to a three-RBI night from Kevin Pillar. They also pulled back into a tie with Baltimore for the top wild-card after Baltimore lost to New York, enabling them to clinch the top wild-card spot with a win in the season finale.{{cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/blue-jays-beat-red-sox-4-3-move-up-in-wild-card-race/article32202995/|title=Blue Jays beat Red Sox 4-3, move up in wild-card race|work=theglobeandmail.com|date=October 1, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}} In the season finale, Aaron Sanchez carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, and both Devon Travis and Troy Tulowitzki contributed with two-out hits, helping the Blue Jays win, 2–1. With Baltimore's win over New York, Toronto and Baltimore finished the season with identical 89–73 records; however, Toronto clinched the top wild-card spot based on their 10–9 head-to-head record against Baltimore in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.torontosun.com/2016/10/02/blue-jays-win-tense-game-over-red-sox-earn-wild-card-home-date|title=Blue Jays win tense game over Red Sox, earn wild card home date|work=torontosun.com|date=October 2, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2016}}

{{Game log start|style={{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title= 2016 Game Log}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=April: 11–14 (Home: 5–7; Road: 6–7)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 1 || April 3 || @ Rays || 5–3 || Stroman (1–0) || Archer (0–1) || Osuna (1) || 31,042 || 1–0 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 2 || April 4 || @ Rays || 5–3 || Dickey (1–0) || Smyly (0–1) || Osuna (2) || 15,116 || 2–0 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 3 || April 5 || @ Rays || 2–3 || Colomé (1–0) || Cecil (0–1) || — || 12,757 || 2–1 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 4 || April 6 || @ Rays || 3–5 || Ramírez (1–0) || Floyd (0–1) || — || 14,257 || 2–2 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 5 || April 8 || Red Sox || 7–8 || Barnes (1–0) || Storen (0–1) || Kimbrel (1) || 48,871 || 2–3 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 6 || April 9 || Red Sox || 4–8 || Porcello (1–0) || Dickey (1–1) || — || 47,138 || 2–4 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 7 || April 10 || Red Sox || 3–0 || Estrada (1–0) || Wright (0–1) || Osuna (3) || 46,168 || 3–4 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 8 || April 12 || Yankees || 2–3 || Barbato (1–0) || Cecil (0–2) || Miller (2) || 28,819 || 3–5 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 9 || April 13 || Yankees || 7–2 || Happ (1–0) || Pineda (1–1) || — || 27,938 || 4–5 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 10 || April 14 || Yankees || 4–2 || Stroman (2–0) || Eovaldi (0–1) || Osuna (4) || 36,238 || 5–5 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 11 || April 15 || @ Red Sox || 3–5 || Porcello (2–0) || Dickey (1–2) || Kimbrel (3) || 31,415 || 5–6 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 12 || April 16 || @ Red Sox || 2–4 || Price (2–0) || Estrada (1–1) || Kimbrel (4) || 36,267 || 5–7 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 13 || April 17 || @ Red Sox || 5–3 || Sanchez (1–0) || Wright (0–2) || — || 37,217 || 6–7 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 14 || April 18 || @ Red Sox || 4–3 || Happ (2–0) || Uehara (0–1) || Storen (1) || 37,168 || 7–7 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 15 || April 19 || @ Orioles || 4–3 || Stroman (3–0) || Wright (1–1) || Osuna (5) || 16,783 || 8–7 || 1½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 16 || April 20 || @ Orioles || 3–4 (10) || Givens (1–0) || Biagini (0–1) || — || 15,404 || 8–8 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 17 || April 21 || @ Orioles || 2–3 || O'Day (1–0) || Cecil (0–3) || Britton (4) || 17,644 || 8–9 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 18 || April 22 || Athletics || 5–8 || Gray (3–1) || Sanchez (1–1) || Madson (7) || 34,251 || 8–10 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 19 || April 23 || Athletics || 9–3 || Happ (3–0) || Bassitt (0–1) || — || 46,334 || 9–10 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 20 || April 24 || Athletics || 6–3 || Hutchison (1–0) || Surkamp (0–2) || Osuna (6) || 46,300 || 10–10 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 21 || April 25 || White Sox || 5–7 || Putnam (1–0) || Cecil (0–4) || Robertson (8) || 24,333 || 10–11 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 22 || April 26 || White Sox || 1–10 || Sale (5–0) || Dickey (1–3) || — || 23,726 || 10–12 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 23 || April 27 || White Sox || 0–4 || Quintana (3–1) || Estrada (1–2) || — || 28,759 || 10–13 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 24 || April 29 || @ Rays || 6–1 || Sanchez (2–1) || Smyly (1–3) || — || 13,679 || 11–13 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 25 || April 30 || @ Rays || 3–4 || Cedeño (2–0) || Cecil (0–5) || — || 14,948 || 11–14 || 4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=May: 17–12 (Home: 8–7; Road: 9–5)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 26 || May 1 || @ Rays || 5–1 || Stroman (4–0) || Cedeño (2–1) || — || 27,217 || 12–14 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 27 || May 2 || Rangers || 1–2 || Barnette (1–1) || Floyd (0–2) || Tolleson (9) || 25,323 || 12–15 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 28 || May 3 || Rangers || 3–1 (10) || Biagini (1–1) || Klein (0–1) || — || 24,437 || 13–15 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 29 || May 4 || Rangers || 4–3 || Osuna (1–0) || Barnette (1–2) || — || 25,229 || 14–15 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 30 || May 5 || Rangers || 12–2 || Happ (4–0) || Holland (3–2) || — || 35,468 || 15–15 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 31 || May 6 || Dodgers || 5–2 || Floyd (1–2) || Blanton (2–2) || Storen (2) || 42,304 || 16–15 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 32 || May 7 || Dodgers || 2–6 || Kershaw (4–1) || Dickey (1–4) || — || 47,156 || 16–16 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 33 || May 8 || Dodgers || 2–4 || Hatcher (3–3) || Storen (0–2) || Jansen (11) || 46,665 || 16–17 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 34 || May 9 || @ Giants || 3–1 || Sanchez (3–1) || Peavy (1–4) || Osuna (7) || 41,256 || 17–17 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 35 || May 10 || @ Giants || 4–0 || Happ (5–0) || Cain (0–5) || Osuna (8) || 41,464 || 18–17 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 36 || May 11 || @ Giants || 4–5 (13) || Suárez (1–0) || Tepera (0–1) || — || 41,372 || 18–18 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 37 || May 13 || @ Rangers || 5–0 || Dickey (2–4) || Pérez (1–3) || — || 40,344 || 19–18 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 38 || May 14 || @ Rangers || 5–6 (10) || Barnette (3–2) || Floyd (1–3) || — || 47,115 || 19–19 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 39 || May 15 || @ Rangers || 6–7 || Bush (1–0) || Chavez (0–1) || Dyson (2) || 41,327 || 19–20 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 40 || May 16 || Rays || 2–13 || Smyly (2–4) || Happ (5–1) || — || 26,516 || 19–21 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 41 || May 17 || Rays || 2–12 || Archer (3–4) || Stroman (4–1) || — || 27,521 || 19–22 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 42 || May 18 || Rays || 3–6 || Odorizzi (1–2) || Dickey (2–5) || Colomé (10) || 29,078 || 19–23 || 7

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 43 || May 19 || @ Twins || 3–2 (11) || Osuna (2–0) || Pressly (1–3) || Biagini (1) || 25,435 || 20–23 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 44 || May 20 || @ Twins || 9–3 || Sanchez (4–1) || Duffey (1–3) || — || 29,396 || 21–23 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 45 || May 21 || @ Twins || 3–5 || Abad (1–0) || Happ (5–2) || Jepsen (3) || 30,460 || 21–24 || 7

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 46 || May 22 || @ Twins || 3–1 || Stroman (5–1) || Hughes (1–7) || Osuna (9) || 33,421 || 22–24 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 47 || May 24 || @ Yankees || 0–6 || Eovaldi (5–2) || Dickey (2–6) || — || 35,174 || 22–25 || 7

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 48 || May 25 || @ Yankees || 8–4 || Estrada (2–2) || Nova (3–2) || — || 38,959 || 23–25 || 7

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 49 || May 26 || @ Yankees || 3–1 || Happ (6–2) || Sabathia (3–3) || Osuna (10) || 38,391 || 24–25 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 50 || May 27 || Red Sox || 7–5 || Biagini (2–1) || Uehara (2–2) || Osuna (11) || 46,470 || 25–25 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 51 || May 28 || Red Sox || 10–9 || Floyd (2–3) || Kimbrel (0–2) || — || 48,154 || 26–25 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 52 || May 29 || Red Sox || 3–5 (11) || Buchholz (3–5) || Floyd (2–4) || Uehara (1) || 47,916 || 26–26 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 53 || May 30 || Yankees || 4–2 || Estrada (3–2) || Nova (3–3) || Storen (3) || 32,921 || 27–26 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 54 || May 31 || Yankees || 4–1 || Biagini (3–1) || Sabathia (3–4) || Osuna (12) || 33,419 || 28–26 || 5

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=June: 15–12 (Home: 6–4; Road: 9–8)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss.| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 55 || June 1 || Yankees || 7–0 || Sanchez (5–1) || Tanaka (3–1) || — || 39,512 || 29–26 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 56 || June 3 || @ Red Sox || 5–2 || Dickey (3–6) || Price (7–2) || Osuna (13) || 37,129 || 30–26 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 57 || June 4 || @ Red Sox || 4–6 || Wright (6–4) || Stroman (5–2) || Kimbrel (13) || 37,762 || 30–27 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 58 || June 5 || @ Red Sox || 5–4 || Estrada (4–2) || Rodríguez (1–1) || — || 35,823 || 31–27 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 59 || June 6 || @ Tigers || 0–11 || Fulmer (6–1) || Happ (6–3) || — || 29,771 || 31–28 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 60 || June 7 || @ Tigers || 2–3 (10) || Wilson (2–1) || Biagini (3–2) || — || 30,745 || 31–29 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 61 || June 8 || @ Tigers || 7–2 || Dickey (4–6) || Zimmermann (8–3) || — || 36,036 || 32–29 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 62 || June 9 || Orioles || 5–6 || Bundy (2–1) || Osuna (2–1) || Britton (19) || 41,448 || 32–30 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 63 || June 10 || Orioles || 4–3 (10) || Storen (1–2) || Brach (5–1) || — || 44,439 || 33–30 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 64 || June 11 || Orioles || 11–6 || Happ (7–3) || McFarland (1–2) || — || 47,651 || 34–30 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 65 || June 12 || Orioles || 10–9 || Sanchez (6–1) || Jiménez (3–7) || Grilli (3){{refn|group=Note|1 save with Toronto}} || 47,249 || 35–30 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 66 || June 13 || Phillies || 0–7 || Eickhoff (4–8) || Dickey (4–7) || — || 35,678 || 35–31 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 67 || June 14 || Phillies || 11–3 || Stroman (6–2) || Eflin (0–1) || — || 47,066 || 36–31 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 68 || June 15 || @ Phillies || 7–2 || Estrada (5–2) || Hellickson (4–5) || — || 24,753 || 37–31 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 69 || June 16 || @ Philles || 13–2 || Happ (8–3) || Nola (5–6) || — || 22,279 || 38–31 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 70 || June 17 || @ Orioles || 13–3 || Sanchez (7–1) || Wright (3–4) || — || 38,306 || 39–31 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 71 || June 18 || @ Orioles || 2–4 || Gallardo (2–1) || Dickey (4–8) || Britton (21) || 41,901 || 39–32 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 72 || June 19 || @ Orioles || 6–11 || Tillman (10–1) || Stroman (6–3) || — || 39,024 || 39–33 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 73 || June 21 || Diamondbacks || 2–4 || Corbin (4–6) || Estrada (5–3) || Hudson (1) || 41,838 || 39–34 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 74 || June 22 || Diamondbacks || 5–2 || Happ (9–3) || Ray (4–6) || Osuna (14) || 46,967 || 40–34 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 75 || June 24 || @ White Sox || 2–3 || Jones (3–2) || Chavez (0–2) || Robertson (19) || 27,196 || 40–35 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 76 || June 25 || @ White Sox || 10–8 || Dickey (5–8) || González (1–3) || Osuna (15) || 25,776 || 41–35 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 77 || June 26 || @ White Sox || 2–5 || Sale (13–2) || Stroman (6–4) || Robertson (20) || 28,345 || 41–36 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 78 || June 27 || @ Rockies || 5–9 || Gray (5–3) || Storen (1–3) || — || 36,419 || 41–37 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 79 || June 28 || @ Rockies || 14–9 || Happ (10–3) || Butler (2–5) || || 33,917 || 42–37 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 80 || June 29 || @ Rockies || 5–3 || Sanchez (8–1) || Anderson (0–2) || — || 38,412 || 43–37 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 81 || June 30 || Indians || 1–4 || Carrasco (4–2) || Dickey (5–9) || Allen (17) || 41,365 || 43–38 || 5½

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=July: 16–8 (Home: 13–6; Road: 3–2)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 82 || July 1 || Indians || 1–2 (19) || Bauer (7–2) || Barney (0–1) || — || 45,825 || 43–39 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 83 || July 2 || Indians || 9–6 || Grilli (2–2){{refn|group=Note|1–0 with Toronto}} || Otero (2–1) || Osuna (16) || 46,197 || 44–39 || 4½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 84 || July 3 || Indians || 17–1 || Happ (11–3) || Kluber (8–8) || — || 45,962 || 45–39 || 3½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 85 || July 4 || Royals || 6–2 || Sanchez (9–1) || Vólquez (7–8) || — || 36,438 || 46–39 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 86 || July 5 || Royals || 8–3 || Dickey (6–9) || Young (2–8) || — || 35,917 || 47–39 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 87 || July 6 || Royals || 4–2 || Stroman (7–4) || Herrera (1–2) || Osuna (17) || 39,971 || 48–39 || 2½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 88 || July 7 || Tigers || 5–4 || Grilli (3–2){{refn|group=Note|2–0 with Toronto}} || Wilson (2–2) || Osuna (18) || 46,283 || 49–39 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 89 || July 8 || Tigers || 6–0 || Happ (12–3) || Pelfrey (2–8) || — || 43,228 || 50–39 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 90 || July 9 || Tigers || 2–3 || Rondón (3–1) || Grilli (3–3){{refn|group=Note|2–1 with Toronto}} || Rodríguez (24) || 47,684 || 50–40 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 91 || July 10 || Tigers || 6–1 || Dickey (7–9) || Sánchez (5–10) || — || 47,747 || 51–40 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 92 || July 15 || @ Athletics || 7–8 || Dull (3–2) || Cecil (0–6) || Madson (18) || 19,192 || 51–41 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 93 || July 16 || @ Athletics || 4–5 || Gray (4–8) || Dickey (7–10) || Madson (19) || 27,510 || 51–42 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 94 || July 17 || @ Athletics || 5–3 || Grilli (4–3){{refn|group=Note|3–1 with Toronto}} || Axford (3–3) || Osuna (19) || 21,626 || 52–42 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 95 || July 19 || @ Diamondbacks || 5–1 || Sanchez (10–1) || Godley (2–1) || — || 26,626 || 53–42 || 1½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 96 || July 20 || @ Diamondbacks || 10–4 || Stroman (8–4) || Corbin (4–9) || — || 20,076 || 54–42 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 97 || July 22 || Mariners || 1–2 || Paxton (3–4) || Estrada (5–4) || Cishek (23) || 46,737 || 54–43 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 98 || July 23 || Mariners || 5–14 || Iwakuma (11–6) || Dickey (7–11) || LeBlanc (1) || 47,517 || 54–44 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 99 || July 24 || Mariners || 2–0 || Happ (13–3) || Miley (6–8) || Osuna (20) || 47,488 || 55–44 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 100 || July 25 || Padres || 4–2 || Sanchez (11–1) || Rea (5–5) || Osuna (21) || 41,483 || 56–44 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 101 || July 26 || Padres || 7–6 (12) || Chavez (1–2) || Villanueva (1–2) || — || 45,515 || 57–44 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 102 || July 27 || Padres || 4–8 || Perdomo (5–4) || Dickey (7–12) || — || 47,301 || 57–45 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 103 || July 29 || Orioles || 6–5 || Estrada (6–4) || Gausman (2–8) || Osuna (22) || 46,112 || 58–45 || ½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 104 || July 30 || Orioles || 9–1 || Happ (14–3) || Gallardo (3–3) || — || 47,305 || 59–45 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 105 || July 31 || Orioles || 2–6 (12) || Givens (8–1) || Morales (0–1) || — || 46,792 || 59–46 || ½

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=August: 17–11 (Home: 8–4; Road: 9–7)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 106 || August 1 || @ Astros || 1–2 (14) || Feliz (7–1) || Feldman (5–4){{refn|group=Note|0–1 with Toronto}} || — || 20,623 || 59–47 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 107 || August 2 || @ Astros || 2–1 || Dickey (8–12) || McCullers Jr. (6–5) || Grilli (4){{refn|group=Note|2 saves with Toronto}} || 24,399 || 60–47 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 108 || August 3 || @ Astros || 3–1 || Estrada (7–4) || McHugh (7–8) || Osuna (23) || 29,399 || 61–47 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 109 || August 4 || @ Astros || 4–1 || Happ (15–3) || Fiers (7–5) || Osuna (24) || 23,190 || 62–47 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 110 || August 5 || @ Royals || 4–3 || Cecil (1–6) || Herrera (1–3) || Benoit (1) || 31,831 || 63–47 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 111 || August 6 || @ Royals || 2–4 || Duffy (8–1) || Sanchez (11–2) || Herrera (4) || 35,986 || 63–48 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 112 || August 7 || @ Royals || 1–7 || Ventura (7–9) || Stroman (8–5) || — || 25,830 || 63–49 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 113 || August 8 || Rays || 7–5 || Benoit (2–1){{refn|group=Note|1–0 with Toronto}} || Cedeño (3–4) || Osuna (25) || 43,812 || 64–49 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 114 || August 9 || Rays || 2–9 || Smyly (4–11) || Estrada (7–5) || Ramírez (1) || 43,134 || 64–50 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 115 || August 10 || Rays || 7–0 || Happ (16–3) || Snell (3–5) || — || 45,501 || 65–50 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 116 || August 12 || Astros || 3–5 || Musgrove (1–0) || Liriano (6–12){{refn|group=Note|0–1 with Toronto}} || Harris (12) || 46,330 || 65–51 || ½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 117 || August 13 || Astros || 4–2 || Sanchez (12–2) || McHugh (7–10) || Osuna (26) || 47,505 || 66–51 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 118 || August 14 || Astros || 9–2 || Stroman (9–5) || Fiers (8–6) || — || 47,261 || 67–51 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 119 || August 15 || @ Yankees || 0–1 || Green (2–2) || Dickey (8–13) || Betances (5) || 36,015 || 67–52 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 120 || August 16 || @ Yankees || 12–6 || Feldman (6–4){{refn|group=Note|1–1 with Toronto}} || Warren (4–3) || — || 31,874 || 68–52 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 121 || August 17 || @ Yankees || 7–4 || Happ (17–3) || Sabathia (7–10) || Osuna (27) || 37,736 || 69–52 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 122 || August 19 || @ Indians || 2–3 || Manship (2–1) || Osuna (2–2) || — || 30,665 || 69–53 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 123 || August 20 || @ Indians || 6–5 || Biagini (4–2) || Tomlin (11–7) || Osuna (28) || 33,604 || 70–53 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 124 || August 21 || @ Indians || 2–3 || Clevinger (2–1) || Cecil (1–7) || Allen (24) || 26,696 || 70–54 || +½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 125 || August 23 || Angels || 7–2 || Dickey (9–13) || Skaggs (1–3) || — || 46,696 || 71–54 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 126 || August 24 || Angels || 2–8 || Shoemaker (8–13) || Estrada (7–6) || — || 44,404 || 71–55 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 127 || August 25 || Angels || 3–6 || Weaver (9–11) || Happ (17–4) || — || 46,273 || 71–56 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 128 || August 26 || Twins || 15–8 || Liriano (7–12){{refn|group=Note|1–1 with Toronto}} || Dean (1–4) || — || 42,534 || 72–56 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 129 || August 27 || Twins || 8–7 || Grilli (5–3){{refn|group=Note|4–1 with Toronto}} || Pressly (6–6) || Osuna (29) || 47,485 || 73–56 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 130 || August 28 || Twins || 9–6 || Feldman (7–4){{refn|group=Note|2–1 with Toronto}} || Light (0–1) || — || 47,444 || 74–56 || +2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 131 || August 29 || @ Orioles || 5–1 || Estrada (8–6) || Miley (8–11) || — || 15,532 || 75–56 || +2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 132 || August 30 || @ Orioles || 3–5 || Brach (8–2) || Grilli (5–4){{refn|group=Note|4–2 with Toronto}} || Britton (39) || 16,083 || 75–57 || +2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 133 || August 31 || @ Orioles || 5–3 || Sanchez (13–2) || Gallardo (4–7) || — || 16,161 || 76–57 || +2

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=September: 11–16 (Home: 6–7; Road: 5–9)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 134 || September 2 || @ Rays || 3–8 || Farquhar (1–0) || Stroman (9–6) || — || 12,602 || 76–58 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 135 || September 3 || @ Rays || 5–7 || Snell (5–7) || Estrada (8–7) || Colomé (30) || 14,353 || 76–59 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 136 || September 4 || @ Rays || 5–3 || Benoit (3–1){{refn|group=Note|2–0 with Toronto}} || Jepsen (2–6) || Osuna (30) || 13,884 || 77–59 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 137 || September 5 || @ Yankees || 3–5 || Tanaka (12–4) || Dickey (9–14) || Betances (9) || 42,141 || 77–60 || +1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 138 || September 6 || @ Yankees || 6–7 || Shreve (2–1) || Grilli (5–5){{refn|group=Note|4–3 with Toronto}} || Parker (1) || 27,532 || 77–61 || –

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 139 || September 7 || @ Yankees || 0–2 || Mitchell (1–0) || Stroman (9–7) || Clippard (2) || 30,501 || 77–62 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 140 || September 9 || Red Sox || 3–13 || Porcello (20–3) || Estrada (8–8) || — || 46,953 || 77–63 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 141 || September 10 || Red Sox || 3–2 || Happ (18–4) || Rodríguez (2–7) || Osuna (31) || 47,829 || 78–63 || 1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 142 || September 11 || Red Sox || 8–11 || Ross Jr. (3–2) || Schultz (0–1) || Kimbrel (25) || 47,816 || 78–64 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 143 || September 12 || Rays || 3–2 || Grilli (6–5){{refn|group=Note|5–3 with Toronto}} || Boxberger (3–1) || Osuna (32) || 35,333 || 79–64 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 144 || September 13 || Rays || 2–6 || Smyly (7–11) || Stroman (9–8) || — || 38,338 || 79–65 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 145 || September 14 || Rays || 1–8 || Cobb (1–0) || Estrada (8–9) || — || 41,001 || 79–66 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 146 || September 15 || @ Angels || 7–2 || Happ (19–4) || Wright (0–3) || — || 37,559 || 80–66 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 147 || September 16 || @ Angels || 5–0 || Dickey (10–14) || Weaver (11–12) || Osuna (33) || 42,159 || 81–66 || 2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 148 || September 17 || @ Angels || 1–6 || Nolasco (6–14) || Liriano (7–13){{refn|group=Note|1–2 with Toronto}} || — || 39,195 || 81–67 || 3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 149 || September 18 || @ Angels || 0–4 || Meyer (1–3) || Stroman (9–9) || — || 36,270 || 81–68 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 150 || September 19 || @ Mariners || 3–2 || Estrada (8–9) || Walker (6–11) || Osuna (34) || 34,809 || 82–68 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 151 || September 20 || @ Mariners || 10–2 || Happ (20–4) || Iwakuma (16–12) || — || 33,573 || 83–68 || 4

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 152 || September 21 || @ Mariners || 1–2 (12) || Vincent (4–4) || Dickey (10–15) || — || 39,595 || 83–69 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 153 || September 23 || Yankees || 9–0 || Liriano (8–13){{refn|group=Note|2–2 with Toronto}} || Mitchell (1–2) || — || 47,016 || 84–69 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 154 || September 24 || Yankees || 3–0 || Grilli (7–5){{refn|group=Note|6–3 with Toronto}} || Clippard (3–5) || Osuna (35) || 47,828 || 85–69 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 155 || September 25 || Yankees || 4–3 || Osuna (3–2) || Clippard (3–6) || — || 47,896 || 86–69 || 5½

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 156 || September 26 || Yankees || 5–7 || Warren (7–4) || Grilli (7–6){{refn|group=Note|6–4 with Toronto}} || Layne (1) || 44,532 || 86–70 || 6

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 157 || September 27 || Orioles || 5–1 || Sanchez (14–2) || Gausman (8–12) || — || 44,762 || 87–70 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 158 || September 28 || Orioles || 2–3 || Duensing (1–0) || Osuna (3–3) || Britton (47) || 44,668 || 87–71 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 159 || September 29 || Orioles || 0–4 || Jiménez (8–12) || Stroman (9–10) || — || 47,791 || 87–72 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 160 || September 30 || @ Red Sox || 3–5 || Ziegler (4–6) || Biagini (4–3) || Kimbrel (31) || 37,661 || 87–73 || 6

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=October: 2–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 2–0)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record| GB}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 161 || October 1 || @ Red Sox || 4–3 || Osuna (4–3) || Kimbrel (2–6) || — || 37,396 || 88–73 || 5

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 162 || October 2 || @ Red Sox || 2–1 || Sanchez (15–2) || Ziegler (4–7) || Osuna (36) || 36,787 || 89–73 || 4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log end}}

{{Main|2016 American League Wild Card Game}}

File:Edwin Encarnacion 2016 ALWC.jpg

On October 4, the Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Baltimore Orioles at the Rogers Centre in the American League Wild Card Game. The starters, Marcus Stroman for the Blue Jays and Chris Tillman for the Orioles, were announced on October 3.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-stroman-start-al-wild-card-game-vs-orioles/|title=Blue Jays' Stroman to start AL wild-card game vs. Orioles|work=Sportsnet|date=October 3, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2016}} In the bottom of the second inning, José Bautista hit a solo home run to give Toronto a 1–0 lead. American League home run leader Mark Trumbo hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to give Baltimore a 2–1 lead. Ezequiel Carrera singled in a run in the fifth inning to tie the game at 2–2. In the seventh inning, Melvin Upton Jr. pinch-hit for Michael Saunders and flew out to Hyun-soo Kim in left field. A person in the outfield seats, later identified by Toronto police as Kenneth Pagan, threw a beer can in the direction of Kim, landing several feet away and causing the game to be briefly delayed while police searched for the perpetrator. Pagan, a 41-year-old copy editor for Postmedia Network from Hamilton, Ontario, was later charged with mischief after surrendering himself to Toronto police amid the publication of his face from Rogers Centre security footage.{{cite news|last1=Draaisma|first1=Muriel|last2=Janus|first2=Andrea|title=Blue Jays fan wanted in beer-can throwing incident charged with mischief|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/beer-can-suspect-1.3793858|access-date=October 7, 2016|work=CBC News|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=October 6, 2016}} With the game still tied, Roberto Osuna came in to pitch the ninth and tenth innings, but left after recording an out in the tenth with minor shoulder tightness. With one out in the bottom of the eleventh, Orioles manager Buck Showalter elected to use Ubaldo Jiménez in relief, still having Cy Young Award candidate Zach Britton available. Jiménez allowed a single to Devon Travis, followed by a single by Josh Donaldson which was misplayed by outfielder Nolan Reimold, allowing Travis to advance to third base. With the winning run 90 feet away, Edwin Encarnación hit a walk-off, three-run home run on the first pitch to give the Blue Jays a 5–2 victory and send them to the American League Division Series.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/204957478/blue-jays-beat-orioles-in-al-wild-card-game/|title=Blue Jays oust O's in 11th on Edwin's blast|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Ghiroli|first2=Brittany|work=MLB.com|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006053742/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/204957478/blue-jays-beat-orioles-in-al-wild-card-game/|url-status=dead}}

Encarnación became only the fourth player to end a winner-take-all postseason game with a walk-off home run, joining Bill Mazeroski (1960 World Series), Chris Chambliss (1976 ALCS) and Aaron Boone (2003 ALCS).{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/74486/what-we-learned-buck-showalters-epic-failure-costs-orioles|title=What we learned: Buck Showalter's epic failure costs Orioles|last=Schoenfield|first=David|work=ESPN|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=October 10, 2016}}

{{Main|2016 American League Division Series}}

File:2016 ALDS Game 1.jpg

In a rematch of last year's Division Series, the Blue Jays took on the Texas Rangers in the 2016 ALDS. The Blue Jays took an early 5–0 lead in the third inning of the first game, thanks to RBI hits from Josh Donaldson and José Bautista and a three-run triple by Troy Tulowitzki. In the fourth, Toronto added two runs on a solo home run by Melvin Upton Jr. and a Donaldson single to take a 7–0 lead. Bautista hit a three-run home run in the ninth inning to give the Jays a 10–0 lead. Marco Estrada pitched a gem, going 8{{frac|1|3}} innings and allowing just four hits and one run in the bottom of the ninth to take the win, 10–1.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205193330/blue-jays-beat-rangers-in-game-1-of-alds/|title=Hang 10: Blue Jays roll in G1 behind stellar Estrada|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Sullivan|first2=T.R.|work=MLB.com|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016|archive-date=October 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008173414/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205193330/blue-jays-beat-rangers-in-game-1-of-alds/|url-status=dead}}

J. A. Happ got the start for the Blue Jays in game two, while Yu Darvish started for the Rangers. Each starter went five innings, with Happ allowing just a single run on nine hits and Darvish allowing five runs on home runs by Troy Tulowitzki, Kevin Pillar, Ezequiel Carrera, and Edwin Encarnación. In the eighth inning, Carlos Gómez hit an RBI single that struck Francisco Liriano near the back of the head. Roberto Osuna came on and closed out the game, 5–3, with a five-out save. The Blue Jays took a 2–0 series lead with the win, heading back to Toronto.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205295764/blue-jays-hit-4-homers-beat-rangers-in-game-2/|title=4 HRs bring Blue Jays one win away from ALCS|last1=Sullivan|first1=T.R.|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=October 7, 2016|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009150506/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205295764/blue-jays-hit-4-homers-beat-rangers-in-game-2/|url-status=dead}}

With the series moving to the Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays sought to eliminate the Rangers from the postseason for the second consecutive season. Aaron Sanchez got the start for the Jays, while the Rangers started Colby Lewis. Lewis lasted only two innings, yielding five earned runs on five hits including home runs by Edwin Encarnación and Russell Martin. Sanchez would go 5{{frac|2|3}} innings, but was responsible for six earned runs after Joe Biagini allowed a two-run double by Mitch Moreland. The Blue Jays would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, after a passed ball scored Troy Tulowitzki. With the game tied 6–6 in the tenth inning, Russell Martin hit a ground ball to shortstop Elvis Andrus. Rougned Odor was unable to turn the double play, throwing wide of first base. Moreland bobbled the ball, which allowed Josh Donaldson to score the winning run and sweep Texas out of the playoffs, 7–6.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/rangers-vs-blue-jays/2016/10/09/487599|title=Rangers vs. Blue Jays Play by Play|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 9, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205550316/blue-jays-walk-off-on-rangers-and-into-alcs/|title=Blue Jays walk off to ALCS on Donaldson's dash|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Sullivan|first2=T.R.|work=MLB.com|date=October 10, 2016|access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-date=October 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010215816/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/205550316/blue-jays-walk-off-on-rangers-and-into-alcs/|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|2016 American League Championship Series}}

Toronto advanced to the ALCS for the second consecutive year, and took on the Cleveland Indians, who swept the Boston Red Sox in the other half of the ALDS.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/indians-sweep-meet-jays-1.3799301|title=Indians to face Blue Jays in ALCS after sweeping Red Sox|work=cbc.ca|date=October 10, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2016}} On October 11, the Blue Jays named Marco Estrada their starter for the first game of the best-of-seven series.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-announce-marco-estrada-alcs-game-1-starter/|title=Blue Jays announce Marco Estrada as ALCS Game 1 starter|work=Sportsnet|date=October 11, 2016|access-date=October 11, 2016}} The following day, the Indians announced that Corey Kluber would start Game 1.{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1120363-indians-set-alcs-rotation-tab-kluber-for-game-1|title=Indians set ALCS rotation, tab Kluber for Game 1|last=Mcwilliam|first=Bryan|work=thescore.com|date=October 12, 2016|access-date=October 12, 2016}} Kluber and the Indians' bullpen would combine to shutout the Blue Jays, winning 2–0.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/mlb/toronto-blue-jays-cleveland-indians-alcs-1-1.3806304|title=Blue Jays' bats silenced in ALCS Game 1 loss to Cleveland|last=Davidson|first=Neil|work=cbc.ca|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016}} Losing 2–1 in the second game of the series, the Blue Jays bats were silenced once again by reliever Andrew Miller, who struck out another five batters in two innings. Cody Allen closed the game and gave the Indians a 2–0 series lead heading to Toronto.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/offence-stymied-blue-jays-fall-indians-game-2-alcs/|title=Offence stymied as Blue Jays fall to Indians in Game 2 of ALCS|work=Sportsnet|date=October 15, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016}}

Trevor Bauer, who had to be scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start due to a finger injury suffered while repairing a toy drone, started for Cleveland in Game 3. The Blue Jays turned to Marcus Stroman, who had not pitched since the Wild Card Game. Bauer was forced to leave in the first inning after the cut on his little finger opened and bled profusely.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/cleveland-pitcher-trevor-bauer-forced-leave-game-bloody-finger/|title=Cleveland pitcher Trevor Bauer forced to leave game with bloody finger|work=Sportsnet|date=October 17, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016}} While Stroman would allow four runs in 5{{frac|1|3}} innings, the Cleveland bullpen would combine to pitch 8{{frac|1|3}} and allow just two runs to take the third game of the series, 4–2, and a commanding 3–0 series lead.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206398806/indians-take-3-0-alcs-lead-vs-blue-jays/|title=Blue Jays pushed to brink of elimination|last1=Bastain|first1=Jordan|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=October 18, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016|archive-date=October 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020073244/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206398806/indians-take-3-0-alcs-lead-vs-blue-jays/|url-status=dead}} The Blue Jays would avoid being swept out of the ALCS, with Aaron Sanchez allowing one run on two hits over six innings pitched in a 5–1 victory.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206480218/blue-jays-defeat-indians-in-game-4-of-alcs/|title=Blue Jays won, not done! Tribe up 3-1|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|last2=Bastain|first2=Jordan|work=MLB.com|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016|archive-date=October 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020112209/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206480218/blue-jays-defeat-indians-in-game-4-of-alcs/|url-status=dead}} The playoffs would end for Toronto in Game 5, as the Indians advanced to the World Series with a 3–0 win.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206599252/indians-beat-blue-jays-to-win-al-pennant/|title=Blue Jays fall in ALCS for second straight season|last1=Bastain|first1=Jordan|last2=Chisholm|first2=Gregor|work=MLB.com|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=October 19, 2016|archive-date=October 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020112807/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/206599252/indians-beat-blue-jays-to-win-al-pennant/|url-status=dead}}

{{Game log start|style={{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title= 2016 Postseason Game Log}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=American League Wild Card Game: 1–0 | #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Series}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 1 || October 4 || Orioles || 5–2 (11) || Liriano (1–0) || Jiménez (0–1) || — || 49,934 || 1–0

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=American League Division Series: 3–0 | #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Series}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 1 || October 6 || @ Rangers || 10–1 || Estrada (1–0) || Hamels (0–1) || — || 47,434 || 1–0

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 2 || October 7 || @ Rangers || 5–3 || Happ (1–0) || Darvish (0–1) || Osuna (1) || 48,019 || 2–0

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 3 || October 9 || Rangers || 7–6 (10) || Osuna (1–0) || Bush (0–1) || — || 49,555 || 3–0

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}|title=American League Championship Series: 1–4 | #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Series}}

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 1 || October 14 || @ Indians || 0–2 || Kluber (1–0) || Estrada (0–1) || Allen (1) || 37,727 || 0–1

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 2 || October 15 || @ Indians || 1–2 || Tomlin (1–0) || Happ (0–1) || Allen (2) || 37,870 || 0–2

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 3 || October 17 || Indians || 2–4 || Shaw (1–0) || Stroman (0–1) || Miller (1) || 49,507 || 0–3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;"

| 4 || October 18 || Indians || 5–1 || Sanchez (1–0) || Kluber (1–1) || — || 49,142 || 1–3

|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;"

| 5 || October 19 || Indians || 0–3 || Shaw (2–0) || Estrada (0–2) || Allen (3) || 48,800 || 1–4

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log end}}

{{Game log start|style={{Baseball primary style|Toronto Blue Jays}}; | title= Playoff rosters}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};|title=American League Wild Card Game }}

| style="text-align:left" |

• Pitchers: 6 Marcus Stroman 25 Marco Estrada 27 Brett Cecil 31 Joe Biagini 37 Jason Grilli 45 Francisco Liriano 46 Scott Feldman 52 Ryan Tepera 54 Roberto Osuna 62 Aaron Loup
• Catchers: 30 Dioner Navarro 55 Russell Martin
• Infielders: 2 Troy Tulowitzki 14 Justin Smoak 17 Ryan Goins 18 Darwin Barney 20 Josh Donaldson 29 Devon Travis
• Outfielders: 3 Ezequiel Carrera 7 Melvin Upton Jr. 11 Kevin Pillar 19 José Bautista 21 Michael Saunders 23 Dalton Pompey
• Designated hitters: 10 Edwin Encarnación

|- valign="top"

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};|title=American League Division Series }}

| style="text-align:left" |

• Pitchers: 6 Marcus Stroman 24 Danny Barnes {{Small|(Game 3)}} 25 Marco Estrada 27 Brett Cecil 31 Joe Biagini 34 J. A. Happ 37 Jason Grilli 41 Aaron Sanchez 45 Francisco Liriano {{Small|(games 1–2)}} 46 Scott Feldman 52 Ryan Tepera 54 Roberto Osuna 62 Aaron Loup
• Catchers: 30 Dioner Navarro 55 Russell Martin
• Infielders: 2 Troy Tulowitzki 14 Justin Smoak 18 Darwin Barney 20 Josh Donaldson 29 Devon Travis
• Outfielders: 3 Ezequiel Carrera 7 Melvin Upton Jr. 11 Kevin Pillar 19 José Bautista 21 Michael Saunders
• Designated hitters: 10 Edwin Encarnación

|- valign="top"

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Toronto Blue Jays}};|title=American League Championship Series }}

| style="text-align:left" |

• Pitchers: 6 Marcus Stroman 25 Marco Estrada 27 Brett Cecil 31 Joe Biagini 34 J. A. Happ 37 Jason Grilli 41 Aaron Sanchez 45 Francisco Liriano 52 Ryan Tepera 54 Roberto Osuna 62 Aaron Loup
• Catchers: 30 Dioner Navarro 55 Russell Martin
• Infielders: 2 Troy Tulowitzki 14 Justin Smoak {{Small|(games 2–5)}} 17 Ryan Goins 18 Darwin Barney 20 Josh Donaldson 29 Devon Travis {{Small|(Game 1)}}
• Outfielders: 3 Ezequiel Carrera 7 Melvin Upton Jr. 11 Kevin Pillar 19 José Bautista 21 Michael Saunders 23 Dalton Pompey
• Designated hitters: 10 Edwin Encarnación

|- valign="top"

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log end}}

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases; BB = Walks; AVG = Batting average; Ref. = Reference

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; WHIP = Walks + hits per inning pitched; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Total runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts; Ref. = Reference

• On April 2, signed Franklin Morales to a one-year, $2 million contract, and optioned Ryan Tepera to Triple-A Buffalo.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/04|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in April|work=MLB.com|access-date=April 28, 2016|archive-date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507122530/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/04|url-status=dead}}
• On April 3, placed Marco Estrada, Aaron Loup, Devon Travis, and Bo Schultz on the 15-day disabled list, and acquired Chris Leroux from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations.
• On April 7, outrighted A. J. Jiménez to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 10, activated Marco Estrada off the 15-day disabled list, and placed Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 7, with left shoulder fatigue.
• On April 13, designated Arnold León for assignment, and recalled Pat Venditte from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 15, signed Kyle Westwood to a minor league contract.
• On April 22, placed Chris Colabello on the restricted list, signed Michael Bourn to a minor league contract, and selected the contract of Chad Girodo from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On April 23, outrighted Arnold León to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 24, optioned Chad Girodo and recalled Drew Hutchison from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 26, optioned Drew Hutchison and recalled Matt Dominguez from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 27, signed Roberto Hernández to a minor league contract, optioned Pat Venditte, and recalled Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On April 28, sent Bo Schultz on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.

• On May 4, optioned Matt Dominguez, recalled Chad Girodo from Triple-A Buffalo, and sent Bo Schultz on a rehab assignment to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/05|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in May|work=MLB.com|access-date=May 31, 2016|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624162855/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/05|url-status=dead}}
• On May 6, optioned Ryan Tepera, and selected the contract of Andy Burns from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On May 9, placed Brett Cecil on the paternity list and recalled Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On May 12, activated Brett Cecil from the paternity list, and optioned Ryan Tepera to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On May 13, sent Devon Travis on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
• On May 14, sent Aaron Loup and Bo Schultz on rehab assignments to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays and Triple-A Buffalo Bisons respectively.
• On May 15, placed Brett Cecil on the 15-day disabled list, and selected the contract of Dustin Antolin from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On May 16, claimed Jimmy Paredes off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
• On May 17, activated Jimmy Paredes, recalled Pat Venditte, and optioned Andy Burns and Dustin Antolin to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On May 19, sent Devon Travis on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On May 21, sent Aaron Loup on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On May 25, activated Devon Travis and optioned Pat Venditte to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On May 27, signed Ryan Lavarnway to a minor league contract.
• On May 28, placed Troy Tulowitzki on the 15-day disabled list, and activated Aaron Loup.
• On May 30, designated Jimmy Paredes for assignment, and recalled Ryan Tepera from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On May 31, acquired Jason Grilli and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves for Sean Ratcliffe.

• On June 1, activated Jason Grilli, optioned Chad Girodo to Triple-A Buffalo, and traded Jimmy Paredes to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations or a player to be named later.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/06|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in June|work=MLB.com|access-date=June 30, 2016|archive-date=June 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625034427/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/06|url-status=dead}}
• On June 3, signed Wilmin Lara to a minor league contract.
• On June 5, optioned Ryan Tepera and recalled Matt Dominguez from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On June 7, designated Matt Dominguez for assignment and recalled Pat Venditte from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 8, optioned Matt Dominguez to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 13, transferred Franklin Morales to the 60-day disabled list, optioned Pat Venditte, and selected the contract of Scott Diamond from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 15, designated Scott Diamond for assignment, optioned Aaron Loup, and recalled Andy Burns and Chad Girodo from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On June 16, sent Troy Tulowitzki on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
• On June 17, placed José Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with a left foot injury, and recalled Darrell Ceciliani from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On June 18, activated Troy Tulowitzki and optioned Andy Burns to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On June 21, sent Brett Cecil and Franklin Morales on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
• On June 22, traded Wade LeBlanc to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
• On June 24, optioned Darrell Ceciliani, and selected the contact of Junior Lake from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 25, sent Brett Cecil on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 26, placed Gavin Floyd on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder tightness, recalled Bo Schultz, and sent Franklin Morales on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 27, optioned Chad Girodo and recalled Ryan Tepera from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On June 30, activated Brett Cecil and optioned Ryan Tepera to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

• On July 2, placed Ryan Goins on the 15-day disabled list with right forearm tightness, optioned Bo Schultz, and recalled Drew Hutchison and Aaron Loup from Triple-A Buffalo.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/07|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in July|work=MLB.com|access-date=July 31, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804124242/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/07|url-status=dead}}
• On July 6, placed Marco Estrada on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury, and recalled Bo Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On July 7, signed Wilmer Font to a minor league contract.
• On July 8, optioned Drew Hutchinson and recalled Andy Burns from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On July 15, sent Ryan Goins on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On July 20, sent José Bautista on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
• On July 22, activated Marco Estrada and Franklin Morales, optioned Aaron Loup and Andy Burns, designated Dustin Antolin for assignment, and sent José Bautista on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On July 23, designated Chris Colabello for assignment, and outrighted Dustin Antolin to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On July 24, designated Drew Storen for assignment, and recalled Ryan Tepera from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On July 25, activated Jose Bautista, and designated Junior Lake for assignment.
• On July 26, traded Hansel Rodriguez to the San Diego Padres for Melvin Upton Jr. and cash considerations, and traded Drew Storen and cash considerations to the Seattle Mariners for Joaquín Benoit.
• On July 27, activated Joaquín Benoit, and optioned Bo Schultz to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On July 28, signed Erik Kratz to a minor league contract.
• On July 31, outrighted Junior Lake to Triple-A Buffalo.

• On August 1, designated Franklin Morales and Ben Rowen for assignment, placed Ezequiel Carrera on the 15-day disabled list with a left Achilles tendon strain, recalled Bo Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo, activated Ryan Goins, acquired Mike Bolsinger from the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jesse Chavez and cash considerations, Scott Feldman from the Houston Astros for Guadalupe Chavez, and Francisco Liriano, Reese McGuire, and Harold Ramírez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Drew Hutchison, and optioned Bolsinger to Triple-A Buffalo and Ramírez to Double-A New Hampshire.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in August|work=MLB.com|access-date=August 31, 2016|archive-date=August 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814142708/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/08|url-status=dead}}
• On August 2, optioned Ryan Goins and Bo Schultz, recalled Mike Bolsinger, and selected the contract of Danny Barnes from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On August 3, activated Francisco Liriano and optioned Mike Bolsinger to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On August 6, traded Pat Venditte to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later.
• On August 8, placed Kevin Pillar on the 15-day disabled list with a left thumb sprain, and recalled Darrell Ceciliani from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On August 9, released Franklin Morales.
• On August 10, optioned Danny Barnes, placed José Bautista on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain, recalled Ryan Tepera, and selected the contract of Junior Lake from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On August 12, sent Ezequiel Carrera on a rehab assignment to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
• On August 16, signed John Straka to a minor league contract, activated Ezequiel Carrera, and designated Junior Lake for assignment.
• On August 18, signed Ty Sterner to a minor league contract.
• On August 19, acquired Richard Reina from the New York Mets for cash considerations, signed Gregor Mora to a minor league contract, recalled Ryan Goins, optioned Darrell Ceciliani, and outrighted Junior Lake to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On August 20, sent Kevin Pillar on a rehab assignment to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
• On August 21, optioned Aaron Sanchez to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, and recalled Aaron Loup.
• On August 23, activated Kevin Pillar and optioned Ryan Tepera to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On August 25, activated José Bautista, optioned Ryan Goins, and signed Eric Veglahn to a minor league contract.
• On August 26, acquired Dioner Navarro from the Chicago White Sox for Colton Turner.
• On August 27, designated Aaron Loup for assignment, and recalled Bo Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo.
• On August 29, activated Dioner Navarro and designated Josh Thole for assignment.
• On August 31, recalled Aaron Sanchez and Ryan Goins, signed Josh Thole, placed Darwin Barney on the family medical emergency list, and optioned Bo Schultz to Triple-A Buffalo.

• On September 1, optioned Devon Travis to the Rookie-Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/09|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in September|work=MLB.com|access-date=September 27, 2016|archive-date=September 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913073338/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/09|url-status=dead}}
• On September 2, designated Matt Dominguez for assignment, selected the contract of Matt Dermody, and recalled Danny Barnes, Darrell Ceciliani, Dalton Pompey, Ryan Tepera, and Devon Travis.
• On September 3, activated Darwin Barney, and outrighted Matt Dominguez to Triple-A Buffalo.
• On September 6, recalled Aaron Loup and Bo Schultz.
• On September 27, designated Brady Dragmire for assignment, recalled Andy Burns, and selected the contract of Chris Smith from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

• On October 5, traded Brady Dragmire to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/10|title=Toronto Blue Jays Transactions in October|work=MLB.com|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006144359/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/roster/transactions/2016/10|url-status=dead}}

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• [https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/2016.shtml 2016 Toronto Blue Jays at Baseball Reference]

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