Boges Posted April 23, 2015 Report Posted April 23, 2015 (edited) Well if they could play the Orioles all year they'd be great. Seems like the bats have woken up. I love that Devon Travis has more home runs already than many of the leagues top sluggers. Kevin Pillar has pretty much earned a spot on the team, makes you wonder if he or Saunders could be trade bait later on. Of course Joey Bats missed yesterday with a bit of an injury and Navarro just got put on the 15-Day DL. Goins actually had to play outfield yesterday. The big problem this year hasn't really been the Bullpen. Castro, Osuna, Cecil and Loupe appear to be a formidable set of relievers. The concern is the inconsistency from Norris, Sanchez and Hutch. They may need to look for another pitcher. Sanchez technically got a win last night but he walked like 7 batters. Someone might have to step up to fill another starting spot from within or there'll have to be a trade. .500 in April, so far, isn't bad. They've had some pretty shitty April's recently. You don't win a championship in April, but you can almost lose one. Edited April 23, 2015 by Boges Quote
overthere Posted April 23, 2015 Report Posted April 23, 2015 The pitching has been poor , both starting and relieving. They are 20th in MLB in team pitching ERA, not a place where playoff teams reside. The pitching staff jointly has the fifth worst OPS in MLB, so they getting hit and hit hard. They have the highest number of walks in MLB as a staff....... It's all offence now. The pitchers win games because the Jays have the 5th highest run support in MLB. They need help in all aspects of pitching. They also need some better management from Gibbons. He is almost always reluctant to take anybody out before the fifth, and this applies most to older guys like Dickey. Last game he did take out Sanchez after he survived another poor performance on the mound. Better coaches acknowledge that winning comes before ego. Perhaps Gibbons know how truly shallow it is in the bullpen and delays too long for that reason. They've already dumped two of their bullpen pitchers 3 weeks into the season. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted April 24, 2015 Report Posted April 24, 2015 So what about this turf? http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/752088 The Baltimore Orioles reportedly contacted Major League Baseball over the turf conditions at Rogers Centre after infielder Jimmy Paredes was hit in the face by a grounder during batting practice Tuesday. Paredes' injury even prompted the Orioles to consider boycotting their series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun, due to concerns over the new playing surface. Paredes, who took a bad hop off the side of his face while playing third base, was not seriously injured. Orioles manager Buck Showalter later noted the slow-playing effect of the new turf, but provided no indication his team was considering skipping Tuesday's game. The Blue Jays won the opener 13-6 before completing the three-game sweep Thursday. Does it have to be worked in? I know I've played on these rubber sand turfs before (just not baseball) I hate how the rubber pellets get into everywhere on you (in your shoes and everything) But I guess the beef about the turf is that the ball doesn't roll "true". And it's a slow turf so that bunting for a hit is a legit strategy on this field. It'll be 2017 before the Jays can kick the Argos out and put real grass in the Rogers Centre. I wonder what can be done to fix the issue. Quote
overthere Posted May 3, 2015 Report Posted May 3, 2015 The pitching on the Jays, pretty much all of it- sucks. And again today Gibbons left Hutchison in too long when he was clearly tiring. Once again, Gibbons is guilty of pandering to players and trying to get him the win by completing five innings instead of recognizing the obvious and getting him out when he starts to tire.. They don't have an ace in the starting rotation. They actually don't seem to have any competency at all in the rotation. Their vets Dickey and Buerhle are really looking their age. Their starting kiddy rotation of Hutchison and Sanchez is not good enough, and the other baby Norris is already gone. His replacement Estrada is a journeyman mutt. The bullpen has been mostly awful. They don't have a closer despite auditioning a few. If all goes well, the Jays will finish .500 again. Unless they miraculously locate an entire staff. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted May 4, 2015 Report Posted May 4, 2015 The pitching on the Jays, pretty much all of it- sucks. And again today Gibbons left Hutchison in too long when he was clearly tiring. Once again, Gibbons is guilty of pandering to players and trying to get him the win by completing five innings instead of recognizing the obvious and getting him out when he starts to tire.. They don't have an ace in the starting rotation. They actually don't seem to have any competency at all in the rotation. Their vets Dickey and Buerhle are really looking their age. Their starting kiddy rotation of Hutchison and Sanchez is not good enough, and the other baby Norris is already gone. His replacement Estrada is a journeyman mutt. The bullpen has been mostly awful. They don't have a closer despite auditioning a few. If all goes well, the Jays will finish .500 again. Unless they miraculously locate an entire staff. Oh yeah, if this is reflective of the pitching the Jays are going to get this season, they're toast. Last year their April was crappy and they turned it on in April, so we'll see what happens. Sanchez pitched quite well on Saturday and Estrada has been good. They need to give Dickey some support, because sans the start in Tampa, he's been pretty good. Buerle has been shitty and that's a problem because he's supposed to be the rock of the rotation. I'm not throwin in the towel . . . yet. Quote
overthere Posted May 4, 2015 Report Posted May 4, 2015 I hope they can turn it around, but without major help in pitching.... It looks like boom or bust season ahead... if they cant score 8 or 10, they won;t win. Awesome offence, but it won't win enough games to matter. I think Dickey is close to being done, Buehrle too. Dickey gets hit hard, often. Pilar and Travis have been pleasant surprises and good building blocks for the future. I also like how Goins appears to be getting more comfy at the plate, he is awesome on the field. Pompey and the young pitchers.... need some time in the minors. Donaldlson looks to be a large upgrade from Lawrie. Reyes..... semi-permanent IR dweller.... not much he or the Jays can do about it with his contract. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted May 5, 2015 Report Posted May 5, 2015 Can we be optimistic that their pitching has been bottom of the barrel and yet they're still sort of in the hunt. Boston's pitching has actually been worse. Quote
Boges Posted May 11, 2015 Report Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) That was a better week. Sanchez nutted up like a pro Friday, Buerle actually beat the Yankees and Hutch got out of the 5th inning. Dickey had a gem and a stinker, about what you expect from him. The Bullpen was really, really good. Small victories right? This Chris Colabello guy has been a pleasant surprise. Martin and Donaldson have been as advertised (AA nailed those moves). Devon Travis needs to get out of the lead-off spot, he's not seeing the pitches he saw at the bottom of the order. Until Navarro is back, Thole should play every other Dickey (to give Martin a rest) start and that's it. He's a drain on the lineup and I doubt he makes Dickey all that much better than Martin does. All this with EE and Bats under performing. The division has no obvious favourite, so why not the Jays? This is the view of an optimistic Jays fan but they're in it until they're not, right? Edited May 11, 2015 by Boges Quote
overthere Posted May 12, 2015 Report Posted May 12, 2015 They are a .500 team, as always. MLB Pitching stats, 30 teams, Toronto is: Team ERA- 27th walks allowed - 2nd earned runs allowed- 3rd Quality Starts- 29th oppistion onbase %- 26th home runs allowed- 3rd opponent total bases- 4th Wow. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted May 22, 2015 Report Posted May 22, 2015 Devon Travis is now out for two weeks. Don't worry, the season is saved. Quote
poochy Posted May 22, 2015 Report Posted May 22, 2015 poor Muni, this ad makes him sound unwell, last night i think they had 3 regulars in the lineup, so many injuries. Quote
Boges Posted May 27, 2015 Report Posted May 27, 2015 Damn, even after such a horrible start they're still in striking distance from the lead. The AL East is a really crappy division which still gives fans hope. Let's just hope they can actually win more than 2 games on the road this time. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Posted May 30, 2015 Pitcher Mark Buerhle still has it...settled down real nice tonight in the rain for a 6-4 win at Minnesota. Ex-Twin Chris Colabello hit a two run dinger to seal the deal for Toronto. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Shady Posted May 30, 2015 Report Posted May 30, 2015 I'm not a Jays fan, but a few of my friends can't be bothered with the team until Gibbons is fired. Quote
Boges Posted May 30, 2015 Report Posted May 30, 2015 Pitcher Mark Buerhle still has it...settled down real nice tonight in the rain for a 6-4 win at Minnesota. Ex-Twin Chris Colabello hit a two run dinger to seal the deal for Toronto. Must have been nice to see all the Canadians come down to cheer for the Blue Birds. He faced the minimum number of batters after the first. I've heard pundits say that Josh Donaldson is the best all around player on the Jays since Robbie Alomar. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted May 30, 2015 Report Posted May 30, 2015 Must have been nice to see all the Canadians come down to cheer for the Blue Birds. He faced the minimum number of batters after the first. I've heard pundits say that Josh Donaldson is the best all around player on the Jays since Robbie Alomar. There were some Jays fans, but the rain delay and game drizzle chased many fans away. Buerhle was rocked early on, but got into his groove. Donaldson looks to be a nice addition from Oakland, and this is his first year for serious money ($4,500,000). Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
overthere Posted June 1, 2015 Report Posted June 1, 2015 (edited) There were some Jays fans, but the rain delay and game drizzle chased many fans away. Buerhle was rocked early on, but got into his groove. Donaldson looks to be a nice addition from Oakland, and this is his first year for serious money ($4,500,000). Lawrie for Donaldson etc was a straight up salary bail by Billy Beane, a classic move. It is too early to assess the result, takesa season or three, but this looks like a steal for the Jays. They'll be struggling to make .500 again this season. Same old same old. On the other side of the coin, Jose Reyes is starting to look very old and very expensive. Edited June 1, 2015 by overthere Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 1, 2015 Report Posted June 1, 2015 Why was Colabello playing left field ? He missed two key balls that could have saved Sunday's game for the Jays. Colabello was a fan favorite in Minnesota last year, even as he struggled to stay in the bigs. Very likable guy who would translate for the Hispanic players during interviews. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Boges Posted June 8, 2015 Report Posted June 8, 2015 Just when we think this team is dead, they reel of 5 straight wins and sweep a team that swept them last month. The mediocre Marlins are in town now. An argument can be made that the Jays kind of lost the Marlins trade in late 2013. Sure Reyes and Buerhle are certainly contributing to the "success" of the Jays but the Marlins have a handful of younger players that are also contributing. Can they make it back to .500 here? Let's hope. Quote
Boges Posted June 8, 2015 Report Posted June 8, 2015 A team with the Run Differential that the Jays do, they should be MUCH better than they are. They've had a run of great starts by the starting rotation, maybe they're primed for turning around this season. http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/59037/is-the-blue-jays-offensive-juggernaut-ready-to-win-regularly Quote
overthere Posted June 8, 2015 Report Posted June 8, 2015 Can they make it back to .500 here? Let's hope. Credit the marketing wizards with the Jays, that they can manage our expectations every year into thinking that attaining .500 is an exciting goal. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted June 8, 2015 Report Posted June 8, 2015 Credit the marketing wizards with the Jays, that they can manage our expectations every year into thinking that attaining .500 is an exciting goal. So you won't get back onboard until they're back in first? Being within 5 games of first is something to be optimistic about. This team should be better than they are. Quote
overthere Posted June 9, 2015 Report Posted June 9, 2015 Their position would mean more if they weren't in such a weak division. I never got off the wagon, but like to think I can see them objectively. I don't know what you mean about them being better than they are. Their offense is strong, their defense is average, their pitching is bad. Unless their pitching improves dramatically, .500 is their destination, and that won't win their division or get them a wildcard spot. I'm not interested in improvement, that is not enough. I want to see them actually succeed and make the playoffs for the first time in 23 years. Call me crazy. Quote Science too hard for you? Try religion!
Boges Posted June 9, 2015 Report Posted June 9, 2015 Their position would mean more if they weren't in such a weak division. I never got off the wagon, but like to think I can see them objectively. I don't know what you mean about them being better than they are. Their offense is strong, their defense is average, their pitching is bad. Unless their pitching improves dramatically, .500 is their destination, and that won't win their division or get them a wildcard spot. I'm not interested in improvement, that is not enough. I want to see them actually succeed and make the playoffs for the first time in 23 years. Call me crazy. The Yankees are 7 games above .500 now leading the division. That can hardly be considered bad. Boston, who casual observers see as a wreck of a team, is only a game behind the Jays. No team is running away with the division but it's not THAT weak. Advanced statistics say the Jays are better than their record. Run differential is generally a good way to gauge how good a team is, and theirs is great. And their pitching has been much MUCH better as of late. We're seeing starters get into the 9th now. The deeper starters go into games the better the bullpen becomes. I could see them being a few games above .500 after this coming series agains the BoSox. It's only June. Quote
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