Kazuma Okamoto's home run helps the Toronto Blue Jays return to a .500 winning percentage.

The Toronto Blue Jays have finally returned to a .500 winning percentage, and this time they have a real chance to come up for air.

This Canadian team hadn't tasted a winning record since April 3rd. However, the worst of the injury crisis is now behind them, and today they beat the Houston Astros 4-2 at home in Rogers Centre, with their momentum trending upward.

Kazuma Okamoto blasted his 17th home run of the season today. At his current pace, he is well on track to hit over 35 home runs in his rookie campaign. This production mirrors what he did with the Yomiuri Giants in NPB, and it has quickly made him a fan favorite in Canada. A look at the latest All-Star voting for AL third basemen shows just how popular he has become.

Current vote totals:

1. Junior Caminero (Rays) - 1,310,879
2. Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays) - 1,282,884

Later in the game, Okamoto hit a double that advanced Daulton Varsho to third base, and then Myles Straw drove Varsho in with a sacrifice fly to take the lead. While Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still struggling to find his rhythm, Okamoto has fully shouldered the load of the lineup.

However, both Okamoto and the manager have no desire to celebrate a .500 record.

"Focus on tomorrow," he said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima after the game, "I can't wait to get back on the field."

Kazuma Okamoto has delivered the best possible version of himself in his first MLB season. Looking back at spring training, the general consensus was that he would likely have a slow start in 2026, hitting only occasional extra-base hits and gradually warming up as he adapted to major league pitching over the season. But what happened? He looks completely at home. Sure, he's seeing most of these pitchers for the first time, but conversely, they are also facing Okamoto for the first time.