TORONTO — Over the past couple of weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays lineup looks different to hitting coach David Popkins, and not simply due to a few personnel changes alone.

“What I'm watching, we're taking a lot of team-oriented at-bats,” he explained. “I'm not seeing as many at-bats that it looks like they don't have the situation or the pitcher in context from the swings. … We're not trying to force things, just letting the game come to us a little bit. Ironically, I think the longer we do that, I think we'll actually hit more home runs than we have. For now, it just seems like we're trying to win every game and the numbers are just part of it. It feels like the playoffs, honestly. Every game's on the line and the guys are really working together as a team. The energy's been so much different than the whole season, so it's been refreshing.”

To that end, rather than chasing the slug that’s been so elusive all season long, the Blue Jays are leaning into their ability to make contact and pressure opposing defences. Three-quarters of the way into this strange season, a steady stream of home runs isn’t likely to suddenly........

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