Meh. The Jays are swept in Detroit.
This one was like Friday, only worse.
Well.
Leaving aside for half a second whether this series effectively ices the Jays' playoff hopes, it's worth noting a couple of things on the pitching side:
* McGowan, who clearly had next to nothing working today, stayed in the game for five innings after the seven-run first because a tired bullpen needed a break. He managed to not crater, which speaks well for him, and it was a learning experience that will benefit him down the line.
* Bush came into the game in relief. This was most likely because his Friday outing was so brief that he had one of the fresher arms on the staff, but it's not out of the question that they were also checking out how he's perform in a bullpen role. While it's way too early to think about kicking him down to the pen, I can't imagine it hasn't been at least discussed in the front office.
A couple of other points: the Jays could have won yesterday's game and were within shouting distance on Friday, so I don't think we're talking about a team-wide collapse here. Also, this has been a long, coast-spanning road trip that probably won't end well in New York. But adversity is currency in the long-term bank accounts, and the Jays' young players should be learning all they can from this weekend. A McGowan thrashing today is one fewer than he should need to endure next season.
If I'm remembering correctly, it was an August sweep in Detroit that effectively ended the Jays' burgoning playoff hopes in 1983. That was also their first of eleven consecutive winning seasons.
Leaving aside for half a second whether this series effectively ices the Jays' playoff hopes, it's worth noting a couple of things on the pitching side:
* McGowan, who clearly had next to nothing working today, stayed in the game for five innings after the seven-run first because a tired bullpen needed a break. He managed to not crater, which speaks well for him, and it was a learning experience that will benefit him down the line.
* Bush came into the game in relief. This was most likely because his Friday outing was so brief that he had one of the fresher arms on the staff, but it's not out of the question that they were also checking out how he's perform in a bullpen role. While it's way too early to think about kicking him down to the pen, I can't imagine it hasn't been at least discussed in the front office.
A couple of other points: the Jays could have won yesterday's game and were within shouting distance on Friday, so I don't think we're talking about a team-wide collapse here. Also, this has been a long, coast-spanning road trip that probably won't end well in New York. But adversity is currency in the long-term bank accounts, and the Jays' young players should be learning all they can from this weekend. A McGowan thrashing today is one fewer than he should need to endure next season.
If I'm remembering correctly, it was an August sweep in Detroit that effectively ended the Jays' burgoning playoff hopes in 1983. That was also their first of eleven consecutive winning seasons.
I think thats a good way of looking at it Jordan. The sweep sucked but it happens, yes at an inopportune time but still its happened. As for the upcoming New York series I think they will fare better (maybe its cause I am an optimist).
Now Bush being used in the bullpen caught me off guard and I have to agree with you Jordan part of it was to get him some work in to help his confidence but there might be some hinting in terms of how they might use Bush later on.
Overall a forgettable series and although Mcgowan has not been brilliant since he has come up, I think most Blue Jay fans will take into account that the man had surgery last year and considering where Rosario is two years post surgery I'd say Mcgowan is doing ok.
Now Bush being used in the bullpen caught me off guard and I have to agree with you Jordan part of it was to get him some work in to help his confidence but there might be some hinting in terms of how they might use Bush later on.
Overall a forgettable series and although Mcgowan has not been brilliant since he has come up, I think most Blue Jay fans will take into account that the man had surgery last year and considering where Rosario is two years post surgery I'd say Mcgowan is doing ok.
Made the trip up to Detroit for the weekend w/ my pops and my bro. Too bad the Jays got swept, but at least I have a new favourite player. Vinnie is the man.
Well, it has been fun and we still could see the Jays do a charge if they could sweep the Yankees. Still, odds are getting longer.
To feel better I thought I'd look at the team stats. A few funny things came up.
#1 in OBP? Menechino at 368 with just a 216 Avg (he is last among 100+ PA players in Slg, at least unti Huck gets 100 PAs).
Worst OBP with 100+ AB's? Big free agent Koskie at 310 vs his career average of 369
Note: Huck has been up just 84 AB, 93 PA with his 247 OBP and 238 Slg%
There are 9 guys slugging over 400 while Koskie is at 398 and Zaun is at 387. Yet no one is over 500 (Wells might make it, he is at 491 but no one else is close).
Hinske the big disappointment? He is at 256/337/428 vs Rios at 278/324/417. Hill is at 291/350/415 and could fall behind Hinske by seasons end in OBP if he slumps again or Hinske stays hot.
Funny eh?
To feel better I thought I'd look at the team stats. A few funny things came up.
#1 in OBP? Menechino at 368 with just a 216 Avg (he is last among 100+ PA players in Slg, at least unti Huck gets 100 PAs).
Worst OBP with 100+ AB's? Big free agent Koskie at 310 vs his career average of 369
Note: Huck has been up just 84 AB, 93 PA with his 247 OBP and 238 Slg%
There are 9 guys slugging over 400 while Koskie is at 398 and Zaun is at 387. Yet no one is over 500 (Wells might make it, he is at 491 but no one else is close).
Hinske the big disappointment? He is at 256/337/428 vs Rios at 278/324/417. Hill is at 291/350/415 and could fall behind Hinske by seasons end in OBP if he slumps again or Hinske stays hot.
Funny eh?
I think the lesson that should be learned from the sweep, if not already known, is that this club is not ready to contend yet. What the jays need is a couple of powerful bats in their lineup, and preferably two frontline starters.
In all likelyhood some of these needs will have to be addressed through trades, and this is why jp was trying to acquire (and probably still is as cat and speier cleared waivers) blue chip prospects. These guys could then be used to address some of these needs, as the window of opportunity begins to close -- in 2 years vernon and doc will test free agency.
Someone here said that the infied jam may be cleared by trading hill along with mcgowan for harden ... seemed unlikely, but if you add a guy like miledge or hanley ramirez, it doesn't seem that far fetched. A rotation of hallday, harden, burnet, lilly, whatever, IMO, would have won the wild card this year, without any improvement on offence whatsoever.
In all likelyhood some of these needs will have to be addressed through trades, and this is why jp was trying to acquire (and probably still is as cat and speier cleared waivers) blue chip prospects. These guys could then be used to address some of these needs, as the window of opportunity begins to close -- in 2 years vernon and doc will test free agency.
Someone here said that the infied jam may be cleared by trading hill along with mcgowan for harden ... seemed unlikely, but if you add a guy like miledge or hanley ramirez, it doesn't seem that far fetched. A rotation of hallday, harden, burnet, lilly, whatever, IMO, would have won the wild card this year, without any improvement on offence whatsoever.
Today's game had me looking up the year's blowouts, and I have Trivia Questions as a result!
The Jays were trailing by 15 runs at one point in today's game. This is not the greatest deficit any team has faced this season. What is? (It's happened four times.)
Who has the most victories by 10 runs or more this season?
Who has the most losses by 10 runs or more this season?
Two teams have neither won by 10, nor lost by 10. Who are they?
Answers in tomorrow's This Day in Baseball.
What the jays need is a couple of powerful bats in their lineup, and preferably two frontline starters.
I understand what you're trying to say here, but the problem with that observation is it's true of literally every major league team. HYou add two frontline starters and two big bats to the Royals, and they win the AL Central.
Me Grimlock and the Dinobots were there in Detroit today. Funnily enough, we were in an island of Blue Jays fans. After the third inning, me Grimlock was trying to sample as much of the Comerica food as possible. Pre-game, at Bauxite Jefftown's suggestion, we went to this rib place in RF... good stuff! Me Grimlock liked the mucho nachos (there's like a 2-to-1 ratio of topping to nacho) and the 32oz beer. The hot dogs at SkyDome are better, but me Grimlock really liked the frozen lemonade you eat with a spoon.
As for the game itself, what is it with the Blue Jays making jobbers like Sean Douglass look good? Good to see Huckaby get three hits... good chance it will be the last great day of his MLB career.
As for the game itself, what is it with the Blue Jays making jobbers like Sean Douglass look good? Good to see Huckaby get three hits... good chance it will be the last great day of his MLB career.
The Jays were trailing by 15 runs at one point in today's game. This is not the greatest deficit any team has faced this season. What is? (It's happened four times.)
boston already has two 17-1 wins over the yanks this year ... are those two of the four?
Hill and McGowan for Harden? LOL!!!!!!!
What's next Hudson and Huckaby for Street and Crosby?
Harden isn't going anywhere. He's locked up long term at a very cheap rate.
What's next Hudson and Huckaby for Street and Crosby?
Harden isn't going anywhere. He's locked up long term at a very cheap rate.
I've frequently suggested going hard after Brian Giles who is having another very solid year, and is a free agent in the off season.
Heres his Road split:
.332/.459/.570 (1.029 OPS).
Since SD is such an absolute Pitcher's park, you can't really put much stock in the Home splits.
Not to mention, this guy has been around, and he would be the consistant Vetern Bat we should and need to stick right in the middle of our lineup.
Heres his Road split:
.332/.459/.570 (1.029 OPS).
Since SD is such an absolute Pitcher's park, you can't really put much stock in the Home splits.
Not to mention, this guy has been around, and he would be the consistant Vetern Bat we should and need to stick right in the middle of our lineup.
I like Brian Giles a whole lot myself, and he'll fit right in withn the rest of the hobbits. He will be 35 in January, and his outfield defense is slipping from all accounts, but you can cover that in the DH league...
But he's a California guy who's already making $9 million to play in California. Word is that he'd only be interested in leaving California if it meant he could play with his brother, in Atlanta.
And yes, the two Boston-NY 17-1 games are half the answer. There were also a couple of 16-0 games in the majors this year. I looked at all the other blowouts (there were 18-3 games and 18-2 games) - but they didn't figure into it...
If JP decides to go out and spend a lot of his payroll flexability on Giles I would be disappointed.
He's going to be 35 next season. A significant drop off in performance wouldn't shock me at his age. The Jays are a young squad and still building towards the future. If a big bat is going to be aquired I would like to see the person be in their 20's or early 30's.
He's going to be 35 next season. A significant drop off in performance wouldn't shock me at his age. The Jays are a young squad and still building towards the future. If a big bat is going to be aquired I would like to see the person be in their 20's or early 30's.
I would like to see the person be in their 20's or early 30's
...aka Superman?
Let's be realisitc here. There aren't a whole lot of FAs in the pool this year. An above average power bat and another dependable arm will suffice. The rest of the ingredients for Wild Card Pie are already in the wine rack -- they just need a little more time to age.
There's a better option than Giles in the FA market, it's Paul Konerko. Also signing FA's is not the only way to aquire a power bat, JP could do it through trades in the off-season.
Paul Konerko is virtually guaranteed to sign back with the Sox.
So, the two biggest bats available would be Giles and Thomas, the latter that I don't want to take a chance on.
So, the two biggest bats available would be Giles and Thomas, the latter that I don't want to take a chance on.
Giles is one of the more underrated players in baseball.
He has probably 2-3 more good productive years left IMO.
He has probably 2-3 more good productive years left IMO.