The Toronto Blue Jays' series against the Houston Astros was a series of ups-and-downs.

The Blue Jays reached the .500 mark (39-39) for the first time in over two months after a 4-2 win against the Astros on Monday.

Toronto dropped the final two games and the series against Houston after a 9-7 loss in game two on Tuesday and a 3-1 loss in game three on Wednesday, respectively.

Wednesday's loss marked another blown game for former closer Jeff Hoffman.

The Blue Jays reliever entered the game in the top of the eighth with the game tied 1-1, a runner on third base and one out.

Hoffman attempted a pick-off of Houston outfielder (and former Toronto player) Joey Loperfido. The pick-off was unsuccessful, went down as a throwing error for Hoffman and Loperfido scored the go-ahead run to give the Astros a 2-1 lead.

Third baseman Kazuma Okamoto missed the throw from Hoffman and seemed unprepared for the play to happen.

After the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the play was a "miscommunication with (Okamoto)," who was expecting the throw on the pick-off attempt from the catcher.

Schneider clarified that the pick-off attempt was and is a planned play, but not one the team has practiced often.

It seems like the blame on the play going wrong is shared based on the skipper's comments, but Wednesday was another in a series of unfortunate developments for Hoffman.

The 33-year-old pitcher has struggled this year and has lost the designated closer role. Toronto has opted for a closer-by-committee approach since then.

This season, Hoffman has a 4.84 ERA and has struck out 57 hitters in 35.1 innings pitched across 38 appearances. He has eight holds and five saves in eight opportunities.

The last save opportunity and save for Hoffman came in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 23.

Last year, Hoffman wasn't able to limit runs but was able to come through in clutch situations.

Hoffman had a 4.37 ERA and fanned 84 hitters in 68 innings of work across 71 outings. Despite his high ERA, he had 33 saves in 40 opportunities and a record of 9-7.

In the playoffs last year, which saw the Blue Jays win their first American League pennant since 1993, Hoffman had a 1.43 ERA and struck out 18 hitters in 12.1 innings pitched across 10 appearances. He had two saves in three opportunities.

Hoffman is in the second year of a three-year, $33 million contract that he signed with Toronto ahead of the 2025 season that concludes in the 2027 season.

With the trade deadline coming up Aug. 3, the Blue Jays are likely included among the long list of teams in search of bullpen help. However, with Hoffman continuing to struggle and Louis Varland in the midst of a historic season, Toronto could also be looking to move on from the former first-round draft pick.

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