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MLB·ANALYSIS·June 29, 2026 09:59 PM ET

Varland's 'When in doubt, bark it out' becomes a Blue Jays clubhouse mantra

A reliever's motto catches on in Toronto.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jun 301 min read
Post on X
""When in doubt, bark it out" - Louis Varland" - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. https://t.co/p5P0f0Nlv8 Via @BlueJays on X

What happened: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. relayed a line from reliever Louis Varland — "When in doubt, bark it out" — that has taken hold as a rallying cry around the Blue Jays. The phrase captures the loose, high-energy mood the bullpen has carried through the grind of the season.

Why it matters: Clubhouse chemistry tends to surface in moments like this, and Toronto leaning into a reliever's motto signals a group feeding off its late-inning arms. Varland has anchored the bullpen, giving the team a dependable back-end presence as it jockeys for postseason positioning.

By the numbers: Varland has been a steadying force out of the pen, working through 17 save opportunities while posting a 0.84 ERA as the bullpen's anchor.

What to watch: Watch whether the motto sticks as Toronto leans on Varland and the bullpen down the stretch of its postseason push.

Sources

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MLBAnalysisLouis VarlandVladimir Guerrero Jr.
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