Popkins detailed how opposing teams had previously exploited Toronto's tendency to chase pitches outside the strike zone.
"Right now we're at the stage of scaring them back into the zone.
Teams know that we're going to, right now, expand and they don't have to make perfect pitches, they just need to throw it close to the vicinity and they'll walk us out of the zone slowly.
When a pitcher knows that, he can actually dot his pitches.
Looked at a lot of pitching charts and we've got guys that have absolutely been hitting their spots.
And it's like, man, how is everyone hitting their spots? It's just because we haven't scared them back into the zone," said David Popkins, Hitting Coach.
The hitting coach also addressed the ongoing adjustments being made by star infielder Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to optimize his swing mechanics.
"Is more like an orchestra, every instrument needs to play at the right time," said David Popkins, Hitting Coach.
Popkins specified that Guerrero has faced physical challenges utilizing his lower body power efficiently this season compared to prior campaigns.
"It's been a little harder for him this year to get stacked on the backside fully, ride closes and turn behind the ball like he has in the past, really drive his legs down behind the ball into the ground.
… Once he gets through this, it's going to be pretty violent," said David Popkins, Hitting Coach.
Despite the challenges, Popkins maintained unwavering confidence in the collective capabilities of the current Blue Jays roster.
"I have the utmost belief in our group," said David Popkins, Hitting Coach.
He concluded that the inherent talent within the organization would eventually yield consistent results once the current hurdle is cleared.
"We've seen what it looks like for a very long period of time. And this group has the ability, we have the talent to do it.
Once we get through this, I think there's really nothing that can stop this group. But it's," said David Popkins, Hitting Coach.
Patrick Corbin earned the victory after retiring seven batters in relief, while San Francisco's Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez collected two hits each.
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The series concludes on Wednesday when Toronto's Dylan Cease faces San Francisco's Logan Webb.
