Just win, baby.
Matchups
Fri 30 Sep - Pivetta (10-11, 4.48) vs Manoah (15-7, 2.31)
Sat 1 Oct - Bello (2-7, 4.39) vs Stripling (9-4, 3.16)
Sun 2 Oct - Wacha (11-1, 3.06) vs Gausman (12-10, 3.30)
“ The following comments are owned by whomever posted them.”
Just noticed this comment on the site. Dewey where are you? It should read whoever not whomever. A subject pronoun. Oh the horrors. What would the Bard say?
(Not that my grammar on posts is always “done good”)
Just noticed this comment on the site. Dewey where are you? It should read whoever not whomever. A subject pronoun. Oh the horrors. What would the Bard say?
(Not that my grammar on posts is always “done good”)
Former Jay farmhand Simeon Woods Richardson is being called up by the Twins for a quick look. He has had a good 2022.
“Dewey where are you? It should read whoever not whomever. A subject pronoun. Oh the horrors. What would the Bard say?”
I’m right here, grjas. Almost always here. Your comment suggests that you don’t think such things matter; but they do -- in small ways that you don’t seem to appreciate. This is a good site in part because many of its members are articulate and can write clearly, usually taking more-than-usual care with what they say and how they say it. (A bit like ‘the bard’?.) Of course, we also have our flat-earthers, and deniers. They drag the site down a bit occasionally.
Do these views make me a member of the ‘fun-police’? Could be, I suppose.
I’m right here, grjas. Almost always here. Your comment suggests that you don’t think such things matter; but they do -- in small ways that you don’t seem to appreciate. This is a good site in part because many of its members are articulate and can write clearly, usually taking more-than-usual care with what they say and how they say it. (A bit like ‘the bard’?.) Of course, we also have our flat-earthers, and deniers. They drag the site down a bit occasionally.
Do these views make me a member of the ‘fun-police’? Could be, I suppose.
Your comment suggests that you don’t think such things matter;
No I was just trying to lighten the post. Oral and writing skills are too often under-emphasized in school and university, especially in the LOL days of social media and it’s unfortunate. Some of the communication skills I saw from recent university grads in my consulting days was astonishing, and depressing especially given how clever they were.
No I was just trying to lighten the post. Oral and writing skills are too often under-emphasized in school and university, especially in the LOL days of social media and it’s unfortunate. Some of the communication skills I saw from recent university grads in my consulting days was astonishing, and depressing especially given how clever they were.
You were thinking of Cole Hamels, Buck. Not Barry Zito.
For as much as we complain about Buck...We all remember the Jamie Campbell pbp years and the multiple booth partners they tried with him. Even worse was Rob Faulds...what an uninspiring choice that was by Sportsnet.
Now a Shulman-John Cerutti team. Now we're talking. Sadly, we lost John on the last day of The Season from Hell.
Now a Shulman-John Cerutti team. Now we're talking. Sadly, we lost John on the last day of The Season from Hell.
I just turned 85 recently. Even though my argumentative fires aren’t stoked as highly as they once were, I still love a good dispassionate discussion. I still care about good writing (it involves good thinking) -- sometimes to my own amazement. And as long as I have that, and my sense of curiosity, I know I’m still alive. I wish more people cared about it, and cared more.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Zito and Hamels did have a lot in common - LH pitchers with similar builds, similar deliveries, and rather similar careers. Sure, one guy threw a big curveball and one guy threw a killer changeup, but close enough.
I remember Hamels as considerably taller and leaner than Zito. BbRef says Hamels 6'4" 205 and Zito 6'2" 205. Nor as much of a difference as I remember. Funny how that goes.
Ah Dewey, you influence a lot of us around here!
I wonder if they'll leave Kikuchi in for the long save. I could get behind that.
“And how about Tapia? He’s been a tremendous addition to this ball club.”
Buck decides to join open mic night at Yuk Yuks!
Buck decides to join open mic night at Yuk Yuks!
You scoff, and why wouldn't you! But since Tapia took over for the injured Gurriel on 9 September, he's hit .270/.303/.476 and even chipped in with a couple of BaseRunner Kills. They haven't lost a whole lot. At the very least, it's better than the job he did filling in for Hernandez early on.
Starting to wonder if Tapia might not end up a good find in the end. Maybe in 2023 he'll show real value to the team instead of his -0.3 fWAR this year. Same for Kikuchi and his -0.8 fWAR (the two of them are the worst for pitching and hitting on the Jays for fWAR). Kikuchi seems to finally be 'getting it' now, and if so he moves from useless to very useful (power LH who can K guys would be very nice in the pen). Tapia is in the same boat at a lower level - from useless to useful.
Btw, FanGraphs xFIP makes me question it - for Manoah tonight it has him at 4.76 xFIP, 2.78 FIP, while allowing 0 runs over 6 IP 2 H 2 BB 4 SO. Kikuchi's 3 IP 1 H 1 BB 5 SO comes out as 0.78 FIP 0.78 xFIP btw.
Btw, FanGraphs xFIP makes me question it - for Manoah tonight it has him at 4.76 xFIP, 2.78 FIP, while allowing 0 runs over 6 IP 2 H 2 BB 4 SO. Kikuchi's 3 IP 1 H 1 BB 5 SO comes out as 0.78 FIP 0.78 xFIP btw.
It took 64 games and 205 plate appearances, but Tapia finally has his first Rogers Centre HR.
Tampa is now officially in with Seattle the last one not locked in - magic number of 1 and they are tied at 1 in the 7th vs Oakland. Safe to say they'll get in if not tonight then very soon. Tampa won so 2 games up on them still, either 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 on Seattle depending on their game. Each game off the schedule is a big plus for the Jays now.
SWR called up and starting against the Tigers tomorrow. I didn’t realize he had a good bounce back season. Might put more pressure on Berrios to rebound himself.
SWR will turn 22 Sept 27th so he is young. Mastering AA was very difficult for him in 2021. He mastered AA & AAA this year. If he pitches against the Tigers this weekend it will be as a 21 year old. That is very impressive to me.
So AA is a tough level to master for some pitchers. Not Tiedemann and Robberse and of course many non Jays pitchers. Now I have to consider Dahian Santos in 2022/23 and see how he performs if/when he gets to AA.
So AA is a tough level to master for some pitchers. Not Tiedemann and Robberse and of course many non Jays pitchers. Now I have to consider Dahian Santos in 2022/23 and see how he performs if/when he gets to AA.
Anyone else feeling like the Jays lead over Seattle is very tight? I’m hoping for another couple of Seattle losses. Last night’s walk off was disappointing. Go A’s!
Wonder if the Jays had suggested Nate Pearson instead of SWR if the Twins would have accepted. At time of the deal, Pearson was probably the more highly regarded prospect.
Wonder if the Jays had suggested Nate Pearson instead of SWR if the Twins would have accepted. At time of the deal, Pearson was probably the more highly regarded prospect.
In the NL 3 teams are fighting for 2 playoff spots. The Phillies have to play the Astros who may take it easy since they are in the playoffs already.
Of the 8 non playoff teams in the NL, Nationals, Rockies, Reds & Pirates I feel are clearly rebuilding. Arizona, Miami, Cubs & SF may not be rebuilding. Arizona has promoted very good young players. In Miami they probably don't want to waste the years of control of Alcantara. Cubs & SF are too rich for a long rebuild so they add a little in the off season IMO.
I see only Oakland rebuilding next year in the AL. Texas, Detroit & KC fired their top baseball executive because their rebuild was taking too long.
Of the 8 non playoff teams in the NL, Nationals, Rockies, Reds & Pirates I feel are clearly rebuilding. Arizona, Miami, Cubs & SF may not be rebuilding. Arizona has promoted very good young players. In Miami they probably don't want to waste the years of control of Alcantara. Cubs & SF are too rich for a long rebuild so they add a little in the off season IMO.
I see only Oakland rebuilding next year in the AL. Texas, Detroit & KC fired their top baseball executive because their rebuild was taking too long.
Anyone else feeling like the Jays lead over Seattle is very tight? I’m hoping for another couple of Seattle losses. Last night’s walk off was disappointing. Go A’s!
I agree the Jays' lead feels tight, but I still find myself rooting for Seattle, since I'd prefer that match-up over the Rays. But looking at this season, we actually did better against Tampa.
That said, I still don't want to play them!
I agree the Jays' lead feels tight, but I still find myself rooting for Seattle, since I'd prefer that match-up over the Rays. But looking at this season, we actually did better against Tampa.
That said, I still don't want to play them!
We don't have any position player having a real outstanding season, like Vlad and Semien last year or JD in 2015, but both WAR sites have only 2 negative players thus far. bWAR with Zimmer -0.2 and Merrifield -0.1, fWAR Zimmer -0.2 and Tapia -0.1.
Last years 91 win team had 8 bWAR / 9 fWAR negative position players.
Last years 91 win team had 8 bWAR / 9 fWAR negative position players.
Nice to see everyone picking up hits and putting pressure on the Red Sox. I was a little worried there was going to be a post-clinch hangover like 2015.
Keep the wins coming!!
Keep the wins coming!!
Pretty obvious that Jansen should be hitting 3rd in the lineup:)
Has anyone ever recorded 3-inning saves on back to back days?
Has anyone ever recorded 3-inning saves on back to back days?
It seems most unlikely, but I want to look at some Game Logs for the two guys who - as far as I'm aware - had the most nine out saves in their careers: Gene Garber and Hoyt Wilhelm. Stay tuned!
It seems most unlikely, but I want to look at some Game Logs for the two guys who - as far as I'm aware - had the most nine out saves in their careers: Gene Garber and Hoyt Wilhelm. Stay tuned!
Well, that was quick! Hoyt Wilhelm and his knuckleball. A 3.1 IP save on 17 May 1953, and a 3.0 IP save the next day, both against the Cardinals.
"It took 64 games and 205 plate appearances, but Tapia finally has his first Rogers Centre HR."
Manny Lee had zero homers - 107 strikeouts - 485 plate appearances - 1991.
1 of 3 players with 0 HR and 100+ K in MLB history.
Scott Podsednik had zero homers - 75 strikeouts - 568 plate appearances - 2005.
Post-season - 1 HR in ALDS - 1 Walk-Off Home Run in World Series - Game 2.
* * *
"my argumentative fires aren’t stoked as highly as they once were,"
High time to stoke up a few bonfires for October Baseball!
* * *
Atta Boy Otto López!
Poor Bradley Zimmer. That's his 4th plate appearance since coming back from Philadelphia. And his fourth strikeout.
Did Manny swing at a pitch that was thrown to the backstop?
Hope this cut and paste works....
Interesting to look at who's hot and who's not coming into the playoffs. Using Sept data and one measure- for simplicity- here is a summary. The lineup is almost uniformly hot, and if VG turns it around, it could be downright scary. The big 3 starters are fine- with a misstep here and there- and presumably Berrios will be used very sparingly. But the bullpen results are pretty uneven with only 4 pitchers having good months. Hopefully the starters can go deep as the BP still worries me, and it's not even clear who the 8th arm will be.
sOPS+ Sept
Bichette 218
Jansen 183
Merrifieild 155
Springer 129
Tapia 107
Kirk 100
Hernandez 94
Chapman 90
Guerrero 82
Bradley Jr. 67
Biggio 63
Starters ERA
Manoah 0.88
Gausman 4.02
Stripling 3.95
Berrios 5.61
Relievers ERA
Cimber 0.71
Bass 1.74
Pop 1.74
Romano 2.45
Mayza 4.5
Garcia 6.55
Richards 9.53
Merryweather 7.56
White 7.88
Interesting to look at who's hot and who's not coming into the playoffs. Using Sept data and one measure- for simplicity- here is a summary. The lineup is almost uniformly hot, and if VG turns it around, it could be downright scary. The big 3 starters are fine- with a misstep here and there- and presumably Berrios will be used very sparingly. But the bullpen results are pretty uneven with only 4 pitchers having good months. Hopefully the starters can go deep as the BP still worries me, and it's not even clear who the 8th arm will be.
sOPS+ Sept
Bichette 218
Jansen 183
Merrifieild 155
Springer 129
Tapia 107
Kirk 100
Hernandez 94
Chapman 90
Guerrero 82
Bradley Jr. 67
Biggio 63
Starters ERA
Manoah 0.88
Gausman 4.02
Stripling 3.95
Berrios 5.61
Relievers ERA
Cimber 0.71
Bass 1.74
Pop 1.74
Romano 2.45
Mayza 4.5
Garcia 6.55
Richards 9.53
Merryweather 7.56
White 7.88
Sorry. Missed Phelps-2.89. So 5 BP guys with good months.
I don’t remember Manny doing that. I do remember Damo Garcia swinging at a pitch out and getting a hit on it (and it wasn’t one of those pitch outs that was too close to the plate).
Not definitive because I was just manually going over the Jays all-time batting register.
But AFAICT, the Jays' leaders for career without a HR at home as a Blue Jay are
Exhibition stadium - Danny Ainge - 355 career PAs at home - 0 HRs (0 career HRs)
SkyDome - Josh Thole - 255 career PAs at home - 0 HRs (2 career HRs)
Correction: Danny Ainge did have two career HRs, both at the Kingdome in Seattle over 24 PAs.
He didn't however have any dingers over 355 PAs at the Ex.
Well, that is a very good day - Jays win by 1 more while hung over than they did when not. Rays lose 2-1 vs Houston, Mariners win 5-1. So Jays now 3 up on the Rays (they look like they are heading to Cleveland for round 1), still 1 1/2 up on Seattle with 4 to go (5 for Seattle). Each day off the schedule now is a big plus for the Jays. But with Seattle having the tiebreaker the Jays can't afford any losses if they want the WC series at home.
I think just go 3-1 and hope it’s good enough and Seattle loses a game. If Seattle by some chance loses 2 then 2-2 could get them first.
Safe to say Stripling has made a strong case for the #3 starter role in the playoffs. He finishes the regular season with a 3.01 ERA over 134 1/3 IP just 20 walks vs 111 K's. Berrios has one more start coming but at 5.37 ERA over 166 IP 42 BB vs 144 K's I'd say he is clearly behind Stripling for that game 3 start (if needed).
Manoah at 2.24 ERA over 196 2/3 IP 51 BB 180 SO is clearly the ace with Gausman's 3.30 ERA over 171 2/3 IP 28 BB 201 K's clearly the second ace - so nice to have 2 #1 pitchers on the staff. The legendary 1985 99 win team (most wins in a season ever for the Jays) had Dave Stieb 2.48 ERA, Jimmy Key 3.00, Doyle Alexander 3.45 as the big 3 (171, 141, 123 ERA+ respectively). This years are Manoah 174, Stripling 124 (pre-today, probably 130 after today), Gausman 118 so very comparable, but a bit worse (the dome is playing neutral this year, Exhibition Stadium was a slight hitters park).
No question we have the rotation needed. If Berrios can come through in the ALDS game 1 (assuming the Jays make it there and use Stripling in game 3 of the WC series) the Jays should be in very good shape rotation wise. The biggest question is will the offense show up as it always does vs Boston (119 runs in 18 games or 6.6 runs per game), or will it be the anemic version we saw vs Tampa/Seattle this year (73 runs in 19 games vs Tampa or 3.8 runs per game, 21 in 7 games vs Seattle or 3.0 runs per game).
Gausman's final regular season start tomorrow - he is 9th for highest single season K total in Jays history, 5th is Halladay 2009 at 208 so 8 K's to pass him. 4th is too far though at 231 (30 K's to tie it, ain't gonna happen) - FYI: Clemens 1997 is the best with 292 - his 2 years here are the only 2 times a Jay cracked 250 K's in a season, there is a reason he has over 4000 strikeouts beyond PED use (which all accounts say started his second year here).
Jay single season records set this year...
Best WHIP ever - Manoah at 0.992 (better than even those 2 Clemens seasons)
SO/BB ratio - Gausman at 7.179, 2nd is Halladay 2003 at 6.375 - doubt Gausman can blow that tomorrow.
HBP: Manoah finished 1 shy of the Jays record of 16 held by Carpenter 2001 and Manoah 2021 - I suspect the career record will be his at some point - he is 8th all time for the Jays already at 31 (tied with Aaron Loup), but it will be awhile to catch #1 Dave Stieb 129 (#2 is Halladay at 56). Hmm...to be a great pitcher for the Jays do you need to hit guys a lot?
ERA+: Manoah is 2nd all time with 174, tied with Clemens 1998, behind Clemens 1997 222
FIP: Gausman is 2nd all time at 2.41, behind Clemens 1997 2.25
Strikeouts: Chapman is 2 behind Jose Bautista 2017
GIDP: Vlad set the record at 26, 1 more than Troy Glaus 2006
Sucks that the hitters only reached negative records, but nice the pitchers either reached or were close to reaching a few positive ones.
Manoah at 2.24 ERA over 196 2/3 IP 51 BB 180 SO is clearly the ace with Gausman's 3.30 ERA over 171 2/3 IP 28 BB 201 K's clearly the second ace - so nice to have 2 #1 pitchers on the staff. The legendary 1985 99 win team (most wins in a season ever for the Jays) had Dave Stieb 2.48 ERA, Jimmy Key 3.00, Doyle Alexander 3.45 as the big 3 (171, 141, 123 ERA+ respectively). This years are Manoah 174, Stripling 124 (pre-today, probably 130 after today), Gausman 118 so very comparable, but a bit worse (the dome is playing neutral this year, Exhibition Stadium was a slight hitters park).
No question we have the rotation needed. If Berrios can come through in the ALDS game 1 (assuming the Jays make it there and use Stripling in game 3 of the WC series) the Jays should be in very good shape rotation wise. The biggest question is will the offense show up as it always does vs Boston (119 runs in 18 games or 6.6 runs per game), or will it be the anemic version we saw vs Tampa/Seattle this year (73 runs in 19 games vs Tampa or 3.8 runs per game, 21 in 7 games vs Seattle or 3.0 runs per game).
Gausman's final regular season start tomorrow - he is 9th for highest single season K total in Jays history, 5th is Halladay 2009 at 208 so 8 K's to pass him. 4th is too far though at 231 (30 K's to tie it, ain't gonna happen) - FYI: Clemens 1997 is the best with 292 - his 2 years here are the only 2 times a Jay cracked 250 K's in a season, there is a reason he has over 4000 strikeouts beyond PED use (which all accounts say started his second year here).
Jay single season records set this year...
Best WHIP ever - Manoah at 0.992 (better than even those 2 Clemens seasons)
SO/BB ratio - Gausman at 7.179, 2nd is Halladay 2003 at 6.375 - doubt Gausman can blow that tomorrow.
HBP: Manoah finished 1 shy of the Jays record of 16 held by Carpenter 2001 and Manoah 2021 - I suspect the career record will be his at some point - he is 8th all time for the Jays already at 31 (tied with Aaron Loup), but it will be awhile to catch #1 Dave Stieb 129 (#2 is Halladay at 56). Hmm...to be a great pitcher for the Jays do you need to hit guys a lot?
ERA+: Manoah is 2nd all time with 174, tied with Clemens 1998, behind Clemens 1997 222
FIP: Gausman is 2nd all time at 2.41, behind Clemens 1997 2.25
Strikeouts: Chapman is 2 behind Jose Bautista 2017
GIDP: Vlad set the record at 26, 1 more than Troy Glaus 2006
Sucks that the hitters only reached negative records, but nice the pitchers either reached or were close to reaching a few positive ones.
2 of the 3 "hungover" teams won Saturday (now their opponents are facing awkward questions).
Magic numbers to clinch home-field in 1st round: Jays 4, Mariners 6, Rays 7 (if I got the arithmetic and tiebreakers right).
fyi: The Red Sox radio announcers have been complaining about the slow Internet at Rogers Centre the past couple days.
Magic numbers to clinch home-field in 1st round: Jays 4, Mariners 6, Rays 7 (if I got the arithmetic and tiebreakers right).
fyi: The Red Sox radio announcers have been complaining about the slow Internet at Rogers Centre the past couple days.
The nice thing about Stripling's break out year is that he'd be worth a one year Q Offer.Doesn't seem too much of a one year gamble compared to other recent shopping - and a pick is always nice if you can't find a mutually agreeable longer contract.The other nice thing about Striplng's year is that it bodes well for so-so current contribution guys under longer control - like White & Kik(I can't say it, you...) - to figure it out next year.All this on top of looking like a strong team- first attituded contributer heading into the play-offs .
"Poor Bradley Zimmer. That's his 4th plate appearance since coming back from Philadelphia. And his fourth strikeout."
His tenure with the Phillies was 9 home games. Never travelled!
Stripling qualifying offer? I say yes, but then work out a multi-year contract.
I hope the bats keep it going as the pitching matchups for the next 4 are iffy. Wacha is pitching today and is never easy, then I guess we’re running out Berrios, White and Kikuchi.
We’ve had enough trouble with Seattle this year without adding jet lag and home field disadvantage.
We’ve had enough trouble with Seattle this year without adding jet lag and home field disadvantage.
I just went through our roster of mostly significant players.
Vlad is less impactful season this year compared to last year. This year would be called good/decent except for the high expectations.
505 ABs for Springer is a good season, he just turned 33 so I don't expect much better.
Kirk and Jansen are having their best seasons. Expectations for Kirk will be very high next year. 202 ABs for Jansen takes away a lot from "best" season evaluation. Only 62 ABs for Moreno, 4 AB, 2H, 1bb, 1k since being called up Sept 15. I prefer to say he is doing well rather than poorly. He played C in 1 game only.
Chapman, Teoscar, Tapia and Merrifield have contributed quite well IMO. Tapia & Merrifield are supposed to be part time players.
Espinal provided more than expected. Biggio is still struggling but will get playing time because we need extra players due to a long season.
Stripling is having his best season so far. I don't know how much a QO will cost but it should be a good gamble. Gausman & Ray are having great seasons but not as good as last year. A QO to Matz was iffy last year. He got injured this year so not good for the Jays if accepted but good if rejected because we get the draft pick but then probably we don't sign Kikuchi. Kikuchi's potential is still there.
The big question is what can the budget support?
Vlad is less impactful season this year compared to last year. This year would be called good/decent except for the high expectations.
505 ABs for Springer is a good season, he just turned 33 so I don't expect much better.
Kirk and Jansen are having their best seasons. Expectations for Kirk will be very high next year. 202 ABs for Jansen takes away a lot from "best" season evaluation. Only 62 ABs for Moreno, 4 AB, 2H, 1bb, 1k since being called up Sept 15. I prefer to say he is doing well rather than poorly. He played C in 1 game only.
Chapman, Teoscar, Tapia and Merrifield have contributed quite well IMO. Tapia & Merrifield are supposed to be part time players.
Espinal provided more than expected. Biggio is still struggling but will get playing time because we need extra players due to a long season.
Stripling is having his best season so far. I don't know how much a QO will cost but it should be a good gamble. Gausman & Ray are having great seasons but not as good as last year. A QO to Matz was iffy last year. He got injured this year so not good for the Jays if accepted but good if rejected because we get the draft pick but then probably we don't sign Kikuchi. Kikuchi's potential is still there.
The big question is what can the budget support?
Stripling qualifying offer? I say yes, but then work out a multi-year contract.
The QO carries with it the advantage of making him less attractive on the FA market and more amenable to a multi-year deal.
Give Stripling a QO? But, but, but …. Buck says he’d sign him for 2/16:)
Seriously, I think Stripling isn’t an easy player to guess the market for. I would guess he could get something like 3/36 in free agency. I do hope he resigns here. I enjoy watching his starts. I’d bet on that improved CH aging decently.
Seriously, I think Stripling isn’t an easy player to guess the market for. I would guess he could get something like 3/36 in free agency. I do hope he resigns here. I enjoy watching his starts. I’d bet on that improved CH aging decently.
" Jays single season records set this year"
The Jay's epic beatdown of Boston this summer tied two individual records as Lourdes Gurriel tied the record for hits in a game with six, previously done by Frank Catalanotto. Also Raimel Tapia became only the second Jay to ever hit an inside-the-park grand slam home run. Two team records were set in that game with 28 runs and 29 hits. I also wonder what the record is for runs scored against a single team in a season series. They've certainly scored a lot against the Red Sox this year.
The Jay's epic beatdown of Boston this summer tied two individual records as Lourdes Gurriel tied the record for hits in a game with six, previously done by Frank Catalanotto. Also Raimel Tapia became only the second Jay to ever hit an inside-the-park grand slam home run. Two team records were set in that game with 28 runs and 29 hits. I also wonder what the record is for runs scored against a single team in a season series. They've certainly scored a lot against the Red Sox this year.
The Jays payroll is projected to be around 170MM in 2023 even without guys like Tapia and Stripling. Rogers would need to be willing to go much higher to even consider a QO for Stripling, who would accept such a gracious offer.
It feels like Gausman has had a few chances to win/sweep the series as the anchor man. With Berrios/White/Kikuchi projected for next series they really need to win today.
It feels like Gausman has had a few chances to win/sweep the series as the anchor man. With Berrios/White/Kikuchi projected for next series they really need to win today.
Kevin Gausman was removed from today's ballgame with a cut on his right middle finger. #BlueJays
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) October 2, 2022
<br>good time to start listening to the game after a Buffalo road trip for bivalent/ last kid dose
They just mentioned on the broadcast that he was taken out due to a small cut on his finger. Hopefully it will be healed by the postseason..
Geez the Merrifield pick up is looking like a surprisingly good idea, especially with Espinal injured and Biggio scuffling.
<br>OK maybe not. Just heard about the Gaussman cut.hope it doesn't affect him too much.
Why was Merrifield credited with a double? That was as routine a single as there can be.
Merrifield is up to .266/.314/.450 as a Blue Jay.
Buck ought to remember the 1986 game when Eichhorn got spiked (by Darnell Coles). He pinch hit for Whitt in the ninth inning and hit off a walkoff HR off Willie Hernandez to win it.
Good call Dr. Zarco, they took away the double.
Assuming Whit is the starting 2B in the Wild Card, would Schneider dare remove Bichette for defense with, say, a 2-run lead?
Assuming Whit is the starting 2B in the Wild Card, would Schneider dare remove Bichette for defense with, say, a 2-run lead?
There is talk that Espinal is likely to come back before Gurriel Jr. Merrifield may be in LF during the best series.
Schneider is pretty comfortable with Tapia out there. Espinal will be on the bench unless they face a LHP, which against the Mariners would be Robbie Ray.
yeah i never quite understand the short leash on Biggio but if Merrifield has remembered how to hit again then you gotta keep him in.
It's about the defense. Biggio can play 2B but he just doesn't have the look of a Merrifield or Espinal.
You do have to keep Merrifield in if he has indeed found the fountain of youth, but Espinal is a better player than Gurriel Jr. or Tapia. They're using him like Zobrist.
Is Schneider even aware Doug Eddings overruled the call there? Given their history there, that bizarre overrule warrants a little more umbrage from the dugout there.
It's pretty silly that another ump can overrule the call on the field and that they use the second call on the video review.
I don't think either Tapia or Hernández should play left field; hopefully Lourdes Gurriel Junior returns.
Back to back 90 win seasons for the first time since 92-93 and only the 3rd time since those WS years.
Good call hypobole. Lets promote/celebrate our achievements!!
Tampa lost, can't catch us and will not play at home 1st round. Magic number 3 vs Seattle,
I noticed an oddity in the leaderboards wrt Cleveland's closer Emmanuel Clase yesterday.
Going into Friday's games, Clase was leading the majors in appearances with 75 (but has since been surpassed by Adam Cimber who pitched Friday and Saturday.
It seems odd to have a full-time closer like Clase, who also was leading the majors in saves, to have the most relief appearances.
He's been brought in with runners on 11 times (not sure if extra innings count.) Pitched in the 8th 3 times, extra innings 8 times, but the rest of his 64 appearances in the ninth.
Perhaps Cleveland is doing some sort of analytics optimization by having him pitch in more games for shorter stints.
Cleveland is 64-11 in games he's pitched in, so he's being used mostly in high leverage. He doesn't have a single multi-inning appearance all year. He also only has 70.2 innnings in 75 appearances, suggesting he's been brought in with runners on for less than an inning.
He also leads the majors handily in games finished with 65.
He's been brought in 5 times when behind (3 times in blowouts of 4+), nine times when tied and 18 times when up by 4+ including 11 times when up by four.
The answer for the best closer in the MLB also leading the league in appearances would seem to be some combination of:
-The Guardians having a lot of close wins
-The manager using Clase a lot to secure 4 run leads
-Clase preferring a lot of non-save work to stay loose
-A reticence to having your closer get 4+ outs.
Doesn't look like Clase recorded 4 outs all season long.
Guardians are 28-17 in one run games, 18-18 in games won by 5+ and 13-5 in extra innings.
Nothing really jumps out, although I'm not sure what the league average is for one run games.
I'm not sure what the league average is for one run games.
Well, every one of them has a winner and a loser....
Well, every one of them has a winner and a loser....
" although I'm not sure what the league average is for one run games."
Going out on a limb hear and guessing .500? I mean it's possible the AL/NL split is significant, but ;-)
Go Jays, really cruising against a bad team. Hope the cut on the hand isn't bad, that's a weird injury mid-game. Was he opening cans between innings?
Going out on a limb hear and guessing .500? I mean it's possible the AL/NL split is significant, but ;-)
Go Jays, really cruising against a bad team. Hope the cut on the hand isn't bad, that's a weird injury mid-game. Was he opening cans between innings?
Fun game Oakland in Seattle. 4-0 after 5 with Seattle hitless so far. Yea Oakland!
I mean it's possible the AL/NL split is significant, but ;-)
Not very! AL teams have gone 347-340 in the one-run games, NL teams have gone 332-339. Obviously, the seven game difference comes from interleague play...
Slightly more interesting is the very different impact these games have had on the two teams that have done best in them. In the NL, that's San Diego. Their 30-16 (.652) record in the one-run games has lifted them from basically a .500 team into the post-season.
The best AL team has been Houston, but their 27-16 (.628) mark in one-run games has actually dragged them down, just a little. They've played .664 ball the rest of the time.
Not very! AL teams have gone 347-340 in the one-run games, NL teams have gone 332-339. Obviously, the seven game difference comes from interleague play...
Slightly more interesting is the very different impact these games have had on the two teams that have done best in them. In the NL, that's San Diego. Their 30-16 (.652) record in the one-run games has lifted them from basically a .500 team into the post-season.
The best AL team has been Houston, but their 27-16 (.628) mark in one-run games has actually dragged them down, just a little. They've played .664 ball the rest of the time.
1 run games have traditionally been a big problem for the Jays iirc. 30-19 this year though, 15-15 last year, 13-10 in 2020.
21-25 in 2016, 15-28 in 2015 (yet won the division). 23-22 in 1993, 28-20 in 1992, 28-20 in 1991. I could go on with contending years but I hope most see how it is not tied to team performance or to having a good closer (1993 had Duane Ward getting 45 saves, 2015 had Osuna stepping in as a very good closer who was also closing in 2016). Net over those contending years and 1990/1989/1987/1985 (all serious contending years) is a 275-253 record or a .520 winning percentage = 84 wins over a full season. Slightly above a coin toss but not anywhere near the record of any of those teams ('85 was .615 win %, to 2020's .533). So one run games are not indicative of anything except luck I'd say.
21-25 in 2016, 15-28 in 2015 (yet won the division). 23-22 in 1993, 28-20 in 1992, 28-20 in 1991. I could go on with contending years but I hope most see how it is not tied to team performance or to having a good closer (1993 had Duane Ward getting 45 saves, 2015 had Osuna stepping in as a very good closer who was also closing in 2016). Net over those contending years and 1990/1989/1987/1985 (all serious contending years) is a 275-253 record or a .520 winning percentage = 84 wins over a full season. Slightly above a coin toss but not anywhere near the record of any of those teams ('85 was .615 win %, to 2020's .533). So one run games are not indicative of anything except luck I'd say.
I tried watching the Seattle game on the new 3D thing Gameday has added. Quite funny when Crawford was hit by pitch as his avatar fell down and crawled on the ground for a bit. It is kind of neat to watch, but painfully slow.
So 2-1 clinched it but not sure we will go 2-1 with being in Baltimore and who we have starting. I think go for 1-2 and hope Detroit doesn’t get swept.
The Tigers are 9-2 in their last 11 games. They will not be the easy opponent that Oakland was for Seattle. The Mariners will be without Castillo and Ray for the series, and there's some double-header randomness added in. If the Jays win one game at Baltimore it should be dome sweet dome for the Wild Card.
It is odd how the Jays owned Boston yet were subpar vs the rest of the east. Had Boston won half the head to heads, they’d be virtually tied in the standings and well out of the playoffs.
Shulman said that the Jays, if they earn home field for the wildcard (which is looking good), are in the same bracket as the dastardly Astros. I guess it'd be less dramatic than the hateful Yankees, but a tall task nonetheless.
Found this:
Sunday's game was the first in franchise history in which the win (Pop) and the save (Romano) went to Canadian-born pitchers.
Sunday's game was the first in franchise history in which the win (Pop) and the save (Romano) went to Canadian-born pitchers.
I know 2021 did not end with a playoff appearance, but the first two years of this "competitive window" resulting in consecutive 90+ win seasons is a pretty good accomplishment, especially since this franchise hasn't done that since 91-93, and never did it pre-91. They look to be in good position for WC1 and homefield. Yes, that means they are in the same bracket as the Astros, but that's out of the team's control. Just get in and then hope for the best. That's baseball.
If you wanna win the World Series you have to play them sooner or later. I’d rather play them sooner after they’ve been off for a few days, and a few days longer than normal. Maybe they’re cold for the first game and that gives us an edge. I’d rather have that than face them right after they come off winning a series, at least.
Given whose pitching the next 3 games, the BP could be exhausted by the end of Wednesday. Hopefully Berrios brings his A game and Seattle loses so they can leave white and Kikuchi in for 6+
Seattle plays 4 games in the next 3 days, and to have a realistic shot at home-field they need to win all 4. I think the Jays have it really easy by comparison, I expect they'll go into Friday with all of their best relievers have 2 full days of rest.
Funny, for some reason I thought today was the double header for Seattle/Detroit but that is tomorrow. Seattle has George Kirby going tonight 3.21 ERA over 126 IP (24 games/starts - 5.25 IP per start) I expect their pen to be used for 3-4 innings tonight which makes the double header tomorrow all the more challenging. Detroit has Bryan Garcia going 3.29 ERA over 3 starts, 13 2/3 IP (barely over 4 IP per start) - he spent most of the year in AAA 3.80 ERA as he shifted from reliever to starter. So also a low endurance guy. By the end of the 2nd game tomorrow I figure we'll see at least 1 hitter pitching for someone. Hopefully for Seattle.
Meanwhile the Jays have Berrios going today (hopefully good Berrios) against Dean Kremer 3.17 ERA over 20 starts & 1 relief game 119 1/3 IP (last time vs Jays was Sept 18 5 2/3 IP 2 R). Tonight will be tough. Biggio at 1B, Vlad DH, Tapia in LF, Kirk behind the plate.
Meanwhile the Jays have Berrios going today (hopefully good Berrios) against Dean Kremer 3.17 ERA over 20 starts & 1 relief game 119 1/3 IP (last time vs Jays was Sept 18 5 2/3 IP 2 R). Tonight will be tough. Biggio at 1B, Vlad DH, Tapia in LF, Kirk behind the plate.
Garcia runs into trouble in the fifth - a run in, runners on the corners with no one out - and fans Rodriguez and gets France to hit into a DP to escape. Cool.