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Sunday, July 12
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The Lead

Clase's Energy Can't Save Blue Jays Bullpen Again

Toronto lost 8-7 to San Diego on Saturday, a game the offense mostly won and the bullpen mostly gave back, snapping a three-game winning streak against the Padres. The final line obscures the more interesting thread: since Jonatan Clase's call-up, an offense that looked dormant has started producing traffic on the bases and pressure in counts, even in a loss.

That distinction matters heading into the All-Star break. A one-run bullpen collapse is the kind of result that fixes itself with better usage decisions, while a lineup finding its timing against a good pitching staff is the kind of shift that changes how the front office should approach the next three weeks before the trade deadline.

The Rest of the Slate
Toronto Tempo
The Tempo return to Bell Centre in Montreal to face the New York Liberty at 3:00 PM ET, two nights after a WNBA-record 20,996 fans packed the building for their loss to Dallas. That kind of turnout changes the calculus on Toronto's home markets going forward, and a competitive result against the defending conference contender would make the case that the crowd wasn't a novelty.
World Cup
Argentina and England both advanced to the semifinals via extra time on Saturday, Argentina beating Switzerland 3-1 behind Julián Álvarez and England edging Norway 2-1 on a pair from Jude Bellingham. The two meet Wednesday in Atlanta, a rematch of stakes that dwarfs anything else on the knockout bracket, with the winner facing either France or Spain in the final.
Raptors
The Kawhi Leonard trade from the Clippers is still on hold while the NBA investigates allegations the team paid him through an impermissible Aspiration endorsement deal. Every day the case stays open is a day Toronto can't plan a training camp around him, which makes the investigation itself the offseason's real Raptors story.
The Number
4

Blue Jays players named to the AL All-Star team this season Four All-Stars from a club that just dropped a series to San Diego is an unusual split, suggesting the roster's talent isn't the problem so much as its depth and sequencing. Watch how the front office uses the break to address bullpen usage specifically, because a lineup that's finally clicking behind Clase deserves relief innings that don't undo it.

What's On Tonight
3:00 PM ET · Toronto Tempo at New York Liberty (Montreal) · NBA TV
Top Dog — Betting Angle

The pick: Toronto Tempo +6.5 vs. New York Liberty. A home crowd that just broke a league attendance record is worth more than half a possession to a team still finding its footing.

“A packed building doesn't fix a bullpen, but it does buy patience”
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