Aug. 6-9: Blue Jays vs. Yankees Series Thread

[Antithesis]

Well, I'll try my hand at this. Let's get a pile of posts from a pile of different posters in this thread! Don't be shy, these threads shall be a strict bandwagon-judging-free zone.

Huge series! Here's some important stuff:

Toronto Blue Jays (58-52, conquering Kings of the universe) vs. New Boo York Yankees (61-46, employers of Alex Rodriguez among other questionable actions)

Probable Starters:

Friday: TOR: R.A. Dickey, 6-10, 4.06 ERA; NYY: Nathan Eovaldi, 11-2, 4.30 ERA
Saturday: TOR: David Price, 10-4, 2.45 ERA; NYY: Ivan Nova, 4-3, 3.10 ERA
Sunday: TOR: Marco Estrada, 9-6, 3.40 ERA; NYY: Masahiro Tanaka, 8-4, 3.84 ERA

Come on, guys! Take it to the Damn Yankees.

If the Jays do the broom thing, they will be 1.5 GB for the AL East lead. If the Jays take 2, they will be 3.5 GB. We won't consider other possibilities.

Over his career, the current Yankees roster has the following stats against R.A. Dickey: 234 AB, 54 H, 5 HR, 43 K, 0.231 AVG, 0.281 OBP, 0.359 SLG, 0.640 OPS

Over his career, the current Yankees roster has the following stats against David Price: 254 AB, 67 H, 8 HR, 60 K, 0.264 AVG, 0.330 OBP, 0.449 SLG, 0.779 OPS

Over his career, the current Yankees roster has the following stats against Marco Estrada: 85 AB, 24 H, 6 HR, 14 K, 0.282 AVG, 0.303 OBP, 0.518 SLG, 0.821 OPS

If there's anything missing that you'd like me to add (or include in future series), please let me know!

OK!

BLUE JAYS!

LETS!

PLAY!

BALL!

[puffnstuff]

Friday 5 pm
Saturday 11 am
Sunday 11 am

Calgary start times

[jayswin]

Beautiful write up, Antithesis.

http://gifs.houseofthebluebird.com/wp-content/uploads/KawasakiBowEverybodyBow.gif (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCITT-a2JlscCFUtbPgoduhwA_Q&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgifs.houseofthebluebird.com%2Ftag %2Ftoronto-blue-jays%2F&ei=0yvEVcSdKMu2-QG6uYDoDw&bvm=bv.99804247,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNGaGV30Bfv9B8cvzyZsHDBxS0gXCg&ust=1439006023018285)

[jayswin]

Friday 5 pm
Saturday 11 am
Sunday 11 am

Calgary start times

Good lord, I'll have to cut back the night time drinking and amp up the daytime drinking this weekend for this series.

[Racki]

It's great having theses threads on CP. I've been here ten years. Never even knew we had another sports section. I've always done my Jays chat over in the jays.com forum. You ever get frustrated with our site? Check that out sometime. It can be painful over there. I've been a baseball junkie since I was a kid and I've loved the Jays since day one. I'm as excited about this team as I was the 2015 Flames. Go Jays!

[flames_fan_down_under]

Awesome stuff thanks Antithesis.

I don't know what the record is now but when the Jays started the season they were 14-42 at the new Yankee Stadium, let's hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

Donaldson has 7 HR and 18 RBI in his last 15 games, the guy is a machine.

Dickey has been pretty damn solid his last 6 starts as well!

[SportsJunky]

Series threads don't do well here but the 13 games against the Yankees are huge so I'm posting here. The Jays need to get to New York's starters. The Yankee bullpen is very tough on hitters. Eovaldi and Nova can be beaten for sure. I think Toronto has a good shot at taking two out of three in this series.

[Dion]

It's been quite awhile since Jays fans had something to cheer for this late in the season. The team seems energised after those great trades were made. Screw the wild card spot I want the Jays to take the division away from the Skanks!

http://cdn3.sbnation.com/imported_assets/795778/93139.jpg

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Let's go jays! Will be sporting the jays hats all series/season long!

[hockey.modern]

Strict bandwagon-judging-free-zone? Well let me hop on board to kill my hockey offseason time. What should I know about the Blue Jays?

[Street Pharmacist]

Strict bandwagon-judging-free-zone? Well let me hop on board to kill my hockey offseason time. What should I know about the Blue Jays?
21 years of dry humping and finally gonna score!

[Caged Great]

Strict bandwagon-judging-free-zone? Well let me hop on board to kill my hockey offseason time. What should I know about the Blue Jays?

They have one of, if not the best offense of any team in the last 20 years. Their pitching was dreadful, but has improved significantly since the acquisitions of Hawkins, Lowe, and Price.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

They have one of, if not the best offense of any team in the last 20 years. Their pitching was dreadful, but has improved significantly since the acquisitions of Hawkins, Lowe, and Price.

Not to mention winners of 8 of their last 9 since the trades, taking 3 of 4 from the best team in the AL and sweeping a 4 game series of the Twins who they were chasing in the wild card. These were not bottom feeders that they beat.

Bullpen has been lights out since they were bolstered, and the starters (outside of Hutch) have all turned in quality starts.

Offense has been ridiculous. Too many stats to point out, but Donaldson has been an absolute beast of late.

Lots of reasons to be excited. This team really looks like a contender despite their record.

[jschick88]

Can't wait for tonight. Hoping my Donaldson jersey that I ordered from the Jays Shop comes today. Go Jays Go!

[Racki]

I'm feeling really good about this series. The Yankees rotation is very suspect - and they haven't seen anything like the lineup they will face tonight. I know the back end of the bullpen has been great for New York but I feel good about them having a lefty closer given how many right handed sluggers we have in our lineup.

[Antithesis]

If you had told me I would say "I wish the Jays could face Sabathia in this series" 5 years ago, I would have looked at you as if you were an Oiler fan claiming their team was going to make the playoffs this year.

[dustyanddaflames]

Big series this weekend, Yankee Stadium has been the House of Horrors, similar to the Flames in Anaheim. Only difference is the Jays have won there the odd time :)

I expect the Jays to hit Eovaldi hard tonight, big fastball, but that plays well into the Jays' fastball hitting lineup. I think a lot of tonight will depend on Dickey being able to keep the ball in play in that joke of a stadium... Talk all you want about the Jays' lineup, but the Yankees have been scoring a plethora of runs of late as well. I don't expect too many low scoring games this weekend - play the over tonight and Sunday :)

For whatever reason, Gardiner seems to be a Jay killer as of late, so expect him to have a big series as per the usual.

[cavalera403]

Decked out in my Canada day Jays jersey and ready for a weekend without household peace ( girlfriend is a Yankees fan)

I am so stoked and have a countdown on my phone set for 5:07 pm

[CroFlames]

As a pretty casual baseball fan, but I'm pretty excited about the Jays chances finally. I thought they'd get over the hump with Buerhle, so hopefully it happens.

[Enoch Root]

Tonight's game is key.

The Yankees struggle against knuckle ballers, and Dickey has been rolling lately. He needs to get off to a good start and set the tone.

The Jays need to get a lead and put the pressure on the Yankees. Then win game 1 and put the series pressure on them as well.

The Yankees have been hearing nothing but Blue Jays, Blue Jays, Blue Jays for the past week. They will be very motivated to knock the Jays down a notch. Getting on top of them early will cause some serious dry-mouth over in the 3rd base-side dugout.

[hockey.modern]

Cue me in, but these trades mean the jays are going all in as they risked their future just so they can win this year? Also, is it possible to resign them after the season?

[Enoch Root]

Cue me in, but these trades mean the jays are going all in as they risked their future just so they can win this year? Also, is it possible to resign them after the season?

I posted this article in the ongoing Blue Jays thread...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-face-big-questions-in-coming-years/

as for signing Price, it is a possibility, but far from a certainty

[The Big Chill]

They traded a lot of prospects to have a chance to go for it this year. A lot of the core position players will be back, but the starting rotation is a complete question mark for next season. Price, Buerhle, and Estrada are all FAs after the season, and RA Dickey has a team option I believe. It will cost a lot of money to bring those guys back, if they are even interested.

[ben voyonsdonc]

They definitely pushed their chips all in. They traded a number of high end pitching prospects but did keep some really good non pitching prospects.

They don't need to worry about re-signing Tulowitzki or Revere as they are still under contract but I'd be surprised if they can keep Price around. They do have a bunch of money that could come off the books but I don't know if they are going to be willing to pony up the cash that could compete with an offer from a team like the Yankees.

[Enoch Root]

They still have:

Stroman
Sanchez
Estrada
Osuna, among others.

They have an option to keep Dickey (which would make sense, IMO)

If they can sign Price (he and Stroman are pretty tight), they would have a fantastic rotation for next year. If not, I would think they go hard to find someone in free agency.

[Enoch Root]

They will also have

Tulo
Donaldson
Bautista
EE
Martin
Travis
Pillar
Revere
Pompey

[DiracSpike]

The Jays hitting lineup is basically baseball porn right now, I love it.
Time for the Yankees to realize it's 2015 not 1997

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah I don't see how it is an all in push given some of the key guys they've brought in since the off-season, are under control.
That article posted provides an excellent overview. Assuming all FAs walk, there would be some holes, but is isn't as if they would be decimated. Still a great core to build from.
And the team has an abundance of strong bats, so if you need to really beef up that rotation, you should be able to deal from a position of strength to do so.

I don't see this as an all-in push at all.

[dustyanddaflames]

Not saying FA would choose to come to Toronto - but if you were ever going to go into free agency looking for arms, this year is the year to be doing so.

[PeteMoss]

They still have:

Stroman
Sanchez
Estrada
Osuna, among others.

They have an option to keep Dickey (which would make sense, IMO)

If they can sign Price (he and Stroman are pretty tight), they would have a fantastic rotation for next year. If not, I would think they go hard to find someone in free agency.

Estrada will be a free agent unless they give him a qualifying offer... which is probably more than they want to pay him. Although he has been quite good and its possible they give it to him.

[Frequitude]

Is there a better live tracker than the Sportsnet one for following games? I'm on vacation and have had to stick to it through this winning streak.

[dustyanddaflames]

Is there a better live tracker than the Sportsnet one for following games? I'm on vacation and have had to stick to it through this winning streak.
I can't remember what the MLB AtBat app costs, but I don't think there is one better than it. You also get all the radio feeds with it as well. I've purchased it every year since it come out, probably the best purchase I make annually.

[Antithesis]

I can't remember what the MLB AtBat app costs, but I don't think there is one better than it. You also get all the radio feeds with it as well. I've purchased it every year since it come out, probably the best purchase I make annually.

The At Bat app itself is free; the radio feeds are something you pay for via in-app purchase. I would say that this might be worth exploring for anyone interested. Really like the "Gameday" feature the app provides.

[JBR]

The Gameday feature is well worth the money. $19.99/year or $2.99/month. Live radio on any feed for all games. Instant video highlights, game wrap and condensed game videos.

The Jays have had a great recent streak, however, the prolific offence has trailed the Yankees offence since the all-star break. Nobody has scored more runs than the Bombers since then. Even with the current streak, they have only made up 1 game in the loss column... which is more important that GB.

The Yankees have 3 games in hand, 7 more games in the Bronx than on the road, and no games outside the eastern time zone. This is a big advantage for them as they're 32-18 at home.

This, and next week's, series will be huge.

Let's go Yankees!

http://mlblogsmartelli.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/ny_yankees_27_championships.jpg?w=824&h=684

[Street Pharmacist]

Boooooooo jbr

[cKy]

https://media0.giphy.com/media/6OPbJtEDdy824/200_s.gif

[Yoho]

Make sure you come back after the Jays win tonight and tell us how much better the Yankees are.

[Enoch Root]

The Gameday feature is well worth the money. $19.99/year or $2.99/month. Live radio on any feed for all games. Instant video highlights, game wrap and condensed game videos.

The Jays have had a great recent streak, however, the prolific offence has trailed the Yankees offence since the all-star break. Nobody has scored more runs than the Bombers since then. Even with the current streak, they have only made up 1 game in the loss column... which is more important that GB.

The Yankees have 3 games in hand, 7 more games in the Bronx than on the road, and no games outside the eastern time zone. This is a big advantage for them as they're 32-18 at home.

This, and next week's, series will be huge.

Let's go Yankees!

http://mlblogsmartelli.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/ny_yankees_27_championships.jpg?w=824&h=684

The Blue Jays' pitching has been significantly better than the Yankees' since the break.

Both teams have a great offense and now the Jays have better pitching.

[Harry Lime]

Stroman, Dickey, Sanchez, Hutchinson....

Add any 2 of these pitchers next season, and I have no worries :
(not adding the Prices, Cueto and Grienke's of the world, as they are cost prohibitive)

Jeff Samardzija (31)
Jordan Zimmermann (30)
Scott Kazmir (32)
Hisashi Iwakuma (35)
Yovani Gallardo (30)
Doug Fister (32)

These are the solid 2's and 3's of the free agent market. I see (after a WS win this year of course) a nice little dynasty forming. This is going to be a great weekend series.

[JBR]

Make sure you come back after the Jays win tonight and tell us how much better the Yankees are.


One game does not a season make. Yankees Jays would make a great ALCS though.

[Enoch Root]

One of the reasons that they have had trouble in NY in the past is that they would chase pitches. Maybe it was trying too hard, but they would swing at balls and make things easier for opposing pitchers.

This season - and especially lately - they have been very patient at the plate, forcing pitchers to throw strikes.

That is what they will need to do to win this series - force the Yankee pitchers to come over the plate with fastballs. If they do that, they'll destroy.

[cavalera403]

Play ball

[Antithesis]

A new career best for Josh Donaldson in home runs - he hits his 30th to get the Jays in flight!

Have I mentioned that I love Josh Donaldson?

[Enoch Root]

baby!

[Resolute 14]

So he just pokes that one out over the right field wall.

Why not?

[Enoch Root]

and they're making him throw a lot of pitches

[Street Pharmacist]

Lots of full counts there

[Enoch Root]

good start.

now we need Dickey to show that he has it tonight

[Dan02]

Good first but would have been nice to get those extra 2 across the plate.

[Antithesis]

3 up, 3 down 1st for Dickey. Looking pretty good so far!

[Street Pharmacist]

Only 5 pitches in and two outs with two strikes on the third

[Street Pharmacist]

And that's it. Tough second

[KelVarnsen]

Thats BS

[Enoch Root]

you just know the call would go against the Jays

he should have been out

[Dan02]

Meh i think it was the right call. Close though.

[Street Pharmacist]

That's the right call. It was going over

[Enoch Root]

either it hit the fan and he's out, or it didn't and it's a double

so they give him the homer

[Dan02]

either it hit the fan and he's out, or it didn't and it's a double

so they give him the homer

Or it was over and butterfingers knocked it back in play.

[Street Pharmacist]

either it hit the fan and he's out, or it didn't and it's a double

so they give him the homer
It was a home run that bounced off a fan out of the field of play. That's a textbook call if they're sure it was out of the park

[Antithesis]

That was ugly.

[Street Pharmacist]

That was ugly.
Fugly

[Enoch Root]

that's the kind of defense that was killing them earlier in the season

[Enoch Root]

It was a home run that bounced off a fan out of the field of play. That's a textbook call if they're sure it was out of the park

or not - the fan's hands were in the field of play. that's an out

[Street Pharmacist]

Phew

[Enoch Root]

alright, top of the order - let's make that call irrelevant

[Antithesis]

or not - the fan's hands were in the field of play. that's an out

That's not entirely accurate. The ball hit the fan on his side of the fence (was going to be a home run if neither Revere nor the fan were there). The fan's hands were indeed over on Revere's side of the fence, however, the umpiring crew determined that this did not cause Revere to be unable to play the ball.

[Enoch Root]

That's not entirely accurate. The ball hit the fan on his side of the fence (was going to be a home run if neither Revere nor the fan were there). The fan's hands were indeed over on Revere's side of the fence, however, the umpiring crew determined that this did not cause Revere to be unable to play the ball.

which would be a bad call - try catching a ball that is tipped by someone else one foot in front of your glove

[Antithesis]

which would be a bad call - try catching a ball that is tipped by someone else one foot in front of your glove

In this case, you have to assume that the umpiring crew believed that Revere wouldn't have caught the ball without the fan interference. And they'd be correct.

[GirlySports]

Yankees should ban fans

[Enoch Root]

In this case, you have to assume that the umpiring crew believed that Revere wouldn't have caught the ball without the fan interference. And they'd be correct.
I'm done discussing this but you simply don't know that as a fact

[Antithesis]

Yankees should ban fans

Yankees fans should be banned.

[Enoch Root]

Jays have had no mo since the homer - they need somebody to do something

[Antithesis]

Nice double play there - two high powered offenses struggling to get things going at the moment.

[Enoch Root]

can Donaldson do it again?

[Enoch Root]

and of course a brutal call at a key time

[Dan02]

This ump is really inconsistent on the inside of the plate.

[flames_fan_down_under]

That was inside and way off the plate.

[Enoch Root]

they need to get him over 100 pitches this inning

[Enoch Root]

if they can get something going, it'll be the end of Eovaldi

[Blaster86]

There you go.

[jayswin]

We need to get something in this inning, I'm starting to get nervous!!

[Enoch Root]

now they have to take advantage here

[flames_fan_down_under]

Have to keep the infield honest and force them to make plays. I'll take those any day.

[Enoch Root]

We need to get something in this inning, I'm starting to get nervous!!

starting?

[browna]

So the Yanks starter is overpowering the Jays since the 1st, but two fluke infield hits that wouldn't make it out of the infield, and they figure there is a better pitcher in the pen and yank him....to pitch to the #9 hitter only?

I realize he had a pitch count that was creeping up there, but its not like the Jays were starting to catch up and were pounding the ball.

[HOWITZER]

alright, top of the order - let's make that call irrelevant

And first off the bench out of the dugout...

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/photo.php?if=michael-ferland-2015-43.jpg

[jayswin]

Series threads don't do well here but the 13 games against the Yankees are huge so I'm posting here. The Jays need to get to New York's starters. The Yankee bullpen is very tough on hitters. Eovaldi and Nova can be beaten for sure. I think Toronto has a good shot at taking two out of three in this series.

Disagree. They may not have worked in the past, but you have to agree things are very different now. There hasn't been this much interest in the Jays in the entire time I've been a fan.

The last two series' had 300 posts each in the mega thread, and I had trouble going back to look for an article. This series OP has 35 thanks for Antithesis' writeup, and to me it's definitely worth it to have that separation and pre series info available.

You can certainly feel that excitement in the thread at the beginning too, kind of like when us Flames fans have that "gathering" feeling in a GDT/GT. I think they'll be successful the rest of this season at least. Obviously you probably go back to a season thread at the start of next year.

[Enoch Root]

Tulo's 0 for 3 so far tonight, time to earn his supper

[Enoch Root]

we'll take a walk!

[jayswin]

Wow, let's hope the Yankees made a huge mistake changing pitchers here. I have a bad feeling they'll get that third out, but I'm praying for at least a run.

[jayswin]

Yep, damn.

[Enoch Root]

frac

[jayswin]

Okay, get out of this inning and I have some confidence again.

[jayswin]

Sweet, fresh two inning game coming up.

[browna]

Great outing by RA again.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Dickey is just rolling lately. Nice to see him pitching so well. Time for Jose and EE to make a statement.

[jayswin]

Let's go EE!!!!!

[jayswin]

Damn, that was a nice pitch.

[Enoch Root]

wow - another bad call

[jayswin]

Wow, the ump effectively ends another inning for the Jays.

[Enoch Root]

nice

[cavalera403]

Big dp

[Enoch Root]

wow, that was impressive

[Street Pharmacist]

Can't remember the last game I cared about like this

[flames_fan_down_under]

Ok let's see a little something from Goins here, another one of those reach base on a fielding error plays.

[Enoch Root]

ok, he moved him over - now knick him in

[Street Pharmacist]

Come on single

[Enoch Root]

sonofa

[The Big Chill]

Damn, looked good off the bat.

[Enoch Root]

leave Hawkins in - he only threw 7 pitches in the 8th

edit: damn

[jayswin]

**** me. This is heart-wrenching. Wish we could have had one or two more series' of the new powerhouse Jays before facing the Yankees, so I could ease myself into this.

I already feel the same way I do with the Flames where instead of enjoying it I just sit there clenched up at every little play and imagining the worst, haha.

[Street Pharmacist]

leave Hawkins in - he only threw 7 pitches in the 8th

edit: damn
There's two more big games coming up

[jayswin]

Phew.

[Enoch Root]

nice D

[Enoch Root]

There's two more big games coming up

yeah but this one's key

and Price could easily go 8 or 9 tomorrow

[Street Pharmacist]

Booooooooooooooommmmm

[Enoch Root]

outstanding!

[jayswin]

Wooooooooooooooow! That was a LONG DP. Impressive.

[GirlySports]

Wow Kawasaki turned that like nothing

[Dan02]

Great turn by kawasaki

[Enoch Root]

big play on defense, then come to the plate and... boom

(talking about Donaldson)

[GirlySports]

leave Hawkins in - he only threw 7 pitches in the 8th

edit: damn

Lefty for McCann and Beltran :)

[V]

Watching some posters arguing with Antithesis in this thread is like watching all of the experts coming out of the woodworks every 4 years when it's Olympics time.

[Enoch Root]

Lefty for McCann and Beltran :)

love a girl that knows her baseball!

[Enoch Root]

there it is!!!

[KelVarnsen]

Jose!

[Street Pharmacist]

Bautista!!!!

[GirlySports]

Booooooooom!

[jschick88]

Jose! Wooo

[browna]

Tabler, just before he hit it, that's why the guy is a 16th round pick. Anyone can throw it hard, placement is the issue.

[Antithesis]

I love seeing that swing.

[Yoho]

Love this!

[jayswin]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1GuX7YsWDc/T5Iq_d9TdjI/AAAAAAAADo0/qhzN9Gy6j18/s1600/Bau-Five.gif (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCL2axOKzmMcCFQw6PgodcXIFuw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbluejayhunter.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2 F32804542003%2Fthe-blue-jays-animated-gifs-of-the-year&ei=u2TFVf3QKoz0-AHx5JXYCw&bvm=bv.99804247,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNGdIILVVvFHwv2vSNJoKltJfuLvDw&ust=1439086090705832)

[Antithesis]

Time for the youngest player in all of MLB to do his thing. Osuna Matata!

[jayswin]

I feel pretty good about this, let's finish it!

[cavalera403]

Ball game!!! Wooohooo

[Enoch Root]

outstanding! what a ballgame!

[Antithesis]

Osuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase ...

[FLAMESRULE]

Booooo yaaaaaa

Bautista Baby!! Great win. Solid pitching. Solid D. Timely hitting.

[browna]

http://www.cotgraveservice.co.uk/product_images/uploaded_images/SACHS_clutch_kit.jpg

[jayswin]

http://q9ajg3m8r764ux2l1qldhv3k5.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/Handjob.gif (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRxqFQoTCJyC_u60mMcCFQxaPgodq8QLSQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Flastangryfan.com%2F2013%2F04%2Fto ronto-blue-jays-opening-night-odd-stands%2F&ei=4mXFVZyJD4y0-QGria_IBA&bvm=bv.99804247,d.cWw&psig=AFQjCNH96f0E7DY_85xroV4SigJ8gBCtxA&ust=1439086416090697)

[flames_fan_down_under]

ball game!

[Enoch Root]

That's one...

Price tomorrow

[Antithesis]

This team can win in every single way right now. Slug fest? You bet. Pitcher's duel? Whatever. Winners of 6 in a row, 9 of 10, and 3.5 games behind the Yanks.

[jayswin]

If we can add in a Price win tomorrow, it'll be a pretty big statement to the Yankees and the league regardless of the third game.

But a sweep would probably put Jays fever over the top in this country. The Yankees series is already sold out, but a sweep might start making people buy season tickets en masse just to be guaranteed playoff seats.

[CedarMeter]

Booyaaa!

[Resolute 14]

That was one hell of an inning by Osuna. Jeebus.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Can't really be overstated how well Dickey pitched today. The guy has been automatic. Though having him as a Jay has been frustrating he is a good guy and I want him to kick ass so I am ecstatic.

Price tomorrow. Holy Cow am I excited.

[Enoch Root]

That was one hell of an inning by Osuna. Jeebus.

He seems to be getting better with every appearance

[Enoch Root]

And the Mets came back in the 9th to beat Tampa

[Sainters7]

I wonder if the newer Jays even realize how tough that is for this team to pick up a W in the Bronx, let alone in such a big game. This team is really looking special right now.


Posted from Calgarypuck.com App for Android

[Resolute 14]

Angels v Orioles. Think at this point, I'd rather LA wins. Consolidate our wild card spot while we continue to stalk the Yankees.

[Enoch Root]

So after tonight (pending the LAA/BAL game), the Jays will either take over the 1st WC spot, or will have opened up a 2 1/2 game lead over the Orioles for the 2nd WC spot

(not that anyone even cares about the WC anymore)

[Enoch Root]

Angels v Orioles. Think at this point, I'd rather LA wins. Consolidate our wild card spot while we continue to stalk the Yankees.

either way - someone's gotta lose

[jschick88]

Sportsnet Stats ‏@SNstats (https://twitter.com/SNstats) 3 minutes ago
Roberto Osuna is the youngest player to ever record an extra-innings Save

[Roof-Daddy]

Dickey sure picked a good time to find his mojo. Pretty solid string of starts lately.

[Dan02]

Sportsnet Stats ‏@SNstats (https://twitter.com/SNstats) 3 minutes ago
Roberto Osuna is the youngest player to ever record an extra-innings Save

Blue Jays history or MLB?

[jschick88]

Blue Jays history or MLB?

I believe in MLB history. Pretty impressive stat to hold.

[Enoch Root]

That is impressive

Hard to believe that somewhere in the last 100+ years, some 18 or 19 year old didn't get thrown into an extra inning game and grabbed a save

[Racki]

What we've got here is a real good ball team. I was listening to MLB network today and they never talk Blue Jays but they were gushing about this team. I'm prone to a bit of hyperbole now and then but if we make the playoffs we could absolutely go all the way with this group.

[jayswin]

Angels tie the Oriels 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th.

[Blaster86]

Who ever wins the first, I hope sweeps the rest.

[jayswin]

I don't want to flood the thread with any negativity as this '04 Flames feeling to this Jays run is exciting and fun to be a part of.

However, watching the Angels/Oriels game on Fox Sportsnet is really awesome. I like Buck Martinez, so no issues with commentating, but the game presentation feels like night and day between Rogers and Fox.

I'm sure there's a lot more money involved in LA, but there's just something more cinematic and energy capturing about their game presentation.

Over the course of about 5 minutes they had cameras in about 5 vastly different spots in the stadium do pans and zoom ins, all the while capturing fans cheering and watching everywhere from the upper deck to the lower bowl, mixed with different camera angles of the actual field, showing players during downtime.

I know it sounds trivial, but for a sport that is very "turn based", aka tons of time with no action, it actually makes a huge difference to me seeing them seamlessly capture the sights and sounds of a baseball game like pros, kind of making you feel like you're there, or at least give you and idea of what the surroundings and atmosphere are like.

Rogers certainly shows the crowd a lot, lord knows you have to with all the downtime, but there's something a lot more rigid and forced about their camera work at Roger's Centre, and it's almost always the same camera angle panning the same 2 or 3 crowd shots. I didn't even realize how stale and rigid the presentation was until I saw it done beautifully.

What does everyone else think, am I out to lunch? Keep in mind, I'm not upset or anything, just something that seemed immediately noticeable.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I don't want to flood the thread with any negativity as this '04 Flames feeling to this Jays run is exciting and fun to be a part of.

However, watching the Angels/Oriels game on Fox Sportsnet is really awesome. I like Buck Martinez, so no issues with commentating, but the game presentation feels like night and day between Rogers and Fox.

I'm sure there's a lot more money involved in LA, but there's just something more cinematic and energy capturing about their game presentation.

Over the course of about 5 minutes they had cameras in about 5 vastly different spots in the stadium do pans and zoom ins, all the while capturing fans cheering and watching everywhere from the upper deck to the lower bowl, mixed with different camera angles of the actual field, showing players during downtime.

I know it sounds trivial, but for a sport that is very "turn based", aka tons of time with no action, it actually makes a huge difference to me seeing them seamlessly capture the sights and sounds of a baseball game like pros, kind of making you feel like you're there, or at least give you and idea of what the surroundings and atmosphere are like.

Rogers certainly shows the crowd a lot, lord knows you have to with all the downtime, but there's something a lot more rigid and forced about their camera work at Roger's Centre, and it's almost always the same camera angle panning the same 2 or 3 crowd shots. I didn't even realize how stale and rigid the presentation was until I saw it done beautifully.

What does everyone else think, am I out to lunch? Keep in mind, I'm not upset or anything, just something that seemed immediately noticeable.

I don't think you're being negative at all. I really do like Buck and Pat, I think they have interesting things to say and Buck calls a good game. However I do agree with you. Watching Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN has the same level of quality as Fox IMO.

[Hockey]

Watching baseball tonight on ESPN and of course they lead off with the Jays and Yankees. Then of course they ask all the analysts who they think will win the AL east and all of them said that the Jays should win the division.

[Enoch Root]

I don't want to flood the thread with any negativity as this '04 Flames feeling to this Jays run is exciting and fun to be a part of.

However, watching the Angels/Oriels game on Fox Sportsnet is really awesome. I like Buck Martinez, so no issues with commentating, but the game presentation feels like night and day between Rogers and Fox.

I'm sure there's a lot more money involved in LA, but there's just something more cinematic and energy capturing about their game presentation.

Over the course of about 5 minutes they had cameras in about 5 vastly different spots in the stadium do pans and zoom ins, all the while capturing fans cheering and watching everywhere from the upper deck to the lower bowl, mixed with different camera angles of the actual field, showing players during downtime.

I know it sounds trivial, but for a sport that is very "turn based", aka tons of time with no action, it actually makes a huge difference to me seeing them seamlessly capture the sights and sounds of a baseball game like pros, kind of making you feel like you're there, or at least give you and idea of what the surroundings and atmosphere are like.

Rogers certainly shows the crowd a lot, lord knows you have to with all the downtime, but there's something a lot more rigid and forced about their camera work at Roger's Centre, and it's almost always the same camera angle panning the same 2 or 3 crowd shots. I didn't even realize how stale and rigid the presentation was until I saw it done beautifully.

What does everyone else think, am I out to lunch? Keep in mind, I'm not upset or anything, just something that seemed immediately noticeable.

I agree about the camera work - they did a nice job on the Angels game tonight.

However, as far as broadcasting the game goes, I think Buck and Pat, and Sportsnet, are as good as anything I've watched - and better than most

[MRCboicgy]

The Jays announcers on both TV and radio have been great forever (RIP Tom Cheek) but if you combined Fox's postseason camerawork with their announcing, you'd have a pretty good - if not homeristic - broadcast.

Where Fox makes it unbearable is with Joe Buck...gah!

[savemedrzaius]

I agree about the camera work - they did a nice job on the Angels game tonight.

However, as far as broadcasting the game goes, I think Buck and Pat, and Sportsnet, are as good as anything I've watched - and better than most

I liked Tabler's story about going 4 for 4 and then being taken out for a pinch hitter in the ninth of a 9-2 game:D

[Antithesis]

As was mentioned last night, I'm glad that the Angels won last night. Glad to see two of the teams we are competing with playing each other right now.

[Antithesis]

I'll just leave this here ...

http://i59.tinypic.com/2qx3hhu.png

[GirlySports]

I'm still mad about last Saturday's game.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I like when the count is 3-0 and Pat Tabler says "why not give him the signal to swing away" if its one of the Jays home run hitters. He does this about every 5th game or so.

[Enoch Root]

Never mind the offense, here's a stat that defines the season:

Prior to Jul 23rd, the bullpen got the save in 14 of their 30 opportunities (.466)

Since Jul 23rd, they have saved 7 of 8 opportunities (.875)

(AL average this season: .704)

Edit: this is by my count, not an official stat

[flames_fan_down_under]

Couple pretty good pitches called balls thrown by Nova there. Looks to be a small strike zone today.

[Enoch Root]

Couple pretty good pitches called balls thrown by Nova there. Looks to be a small strike zone today.
I think he just missed the glove by so much it confused the ump a bit

[flames_fan_down_under]

^fair enough. EE battling here.

[Antithesis]

1-2-3 start for Mr. Price. 23 pitch first for Nova. The Yanks already had to go deep into their bullpen last night ...

Excellent ...

[Galakanokis]

Giddy like a wee school girl that we have Price. Imagine if he resigns!!!

[Antithesis]

Kevin Pillar really fighting right now ... 8 pitch AB so far. Out of character.

[Galakanokis]

Over 40 pitches already. When the Jays get to that bullpen early oh boy.

[Enoch Root]

Kevin Pillar really fighting right now ... 8 pitch AB so far. Out of character.

loving it - getting that pitch count up

[DropIt]

Too bad we couldn't cash one, but a 10 pitch at-bat for Pillar was awesome. At this rate Nova will be relieved in the 5th!

[octothorp]

I usually keep the boxscore open when the Jays are playing, but today's the first game in a long time that I've made a point of watching from the beginning. Happy to be back on the bandwagon.

[jayswin]

It's so comforting watching Price pitch. I'm so much more relaxed today.

[jschick88]

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo (https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo?lang=en) 2 minutes ago
Source: Blue Jays on the verge of acquiring Cliff Pennington from Diamondbacks.

Can play SS, 2B and 3rd. Hitting .237 with 1 homerun and 10 RBI's. Can hit from both sides of the plate. Perfect utility player.

[Antithesis]

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo (https://twitter.com/ChrisCotillo?lang=en) 2 minutes ago
Source: Blue Jays on the verge of acquiring Cliff Pennington from Diamondbacks.

Can play SS, 2B and 3rd. Hitting .237 with 1 homerun and 10 RBI's.

Very soft hitting SS who also plays 2B and 3B. Have to think that'll be it for Kawasaki for now, right?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pennicl01.shtml

[Enoch Root]

Very soft hitting SS who also plays 2B and 3B. Have to think that'll be it for Kawasaki for now, right?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pennicl01.shtml

yeah, backup for defense - would have to mean that Kawasaki would be sent down

[jschick88]

Chris Cotillo ‏@ChrisCotillo 6m
Source: Pennington deal to Jays is done. Players being informed.

[Antithesis]

Gibbons ejected?

[flames_fan_down_under]

Gibby gone.

[Inferno]

Another ump on an ego trip.

[Caged Great]

Not much you can do when your 2b gets injured and is probably done for the majority of the remainder of the season.

Pennington isn't very good, but has been decent defensively in the past. He was pretty decent with the A's a few years ago.

[FLAMESRULE]

WTF. Umpires are totally out of hand. Unacceptable to toss him from the video (not knowing what he actually said).

[flames_fan_down_under]

Gibbons apparently peeved that the home plate ump didn't get appeals at first for both of Donaldsons check swings. #umpshow

[zyzz]

Tossed lol. On that note can you buy the jacket Gibbons was wearing.

[Cuz]

Strike zone seems smaller for the Jays than the Yanks so far

[Galakanokis]

Dumb ejection stemming from a bad call. Usually how it goes.

[jayswin]

Strike zone seems smaller for the Jays than the Yanks so far

It's tiiiiiiiny for Price.

[Lil Pedro]

Hey Yankees...STICK IT!!!

[flames_fan_down_under]

Price cruising again.

[Enoch Root]

ARod, Teixeira, McCann... key inning

[Antithesis]

Come on Revere, now would be a good time!

[jayswin]

Come on Revere, now would be a good time!

That feels like a huge missed opportunity. Man this is going to be a tight game.

[Caged Great]

Dawel Lugo is going the other way for Pennington. Nothing SS prospect.

[V]

This is going to be a great playoff series. I just hope we manage to get home field advantage.

[Enoch Root]

This is going to be a great playoff series. I just hope we manage to get home field advantage.
Assuming the Yankees make the playoffs!

[Enoch Root]

Okay, third time through - they need to make him work this inning

[flames_fan_down_under]

Very quick inning from Price there.

[Antithesis]

Come on guys, take advantage here!

[Enoch Root]

come on EE, we need you here

[Frequitude]

Flipping between the Sportsnet gametracker and this thread almost feels like I'm watching the game while sitting on the dock. Come on EE.

[Enoch Root]

a little time-killing here. If EE gets a hit, that could be it for Nova

[Antithesis]

You HAVE to score some runs here.

[Antithesis]

YES! A fine time for Smoak's first-ever grand slam!

[V]

Oh wow.

[Enoch Root]

wow!
grand slam for Smoak!!!

[Frequitude]

Was that an intentional walk? All I can see is that it was 4 straight balls to load the bases.

[jschick88]

So awesome. Wow.

[BloodFetish]

Smoaked it!

[KelVarnsen]

Smoooakkkkkkkk!

[Caged Great]

Smoaked it

[ClubFlames]

Wow! Grand Slam!

[Frequitude]

Boom!

[Enoch Root]

how you doin', New York?

[GirlySports]

Boooooom wooooooo!

[Resolute 14]

LMAO. You get past that murderers row, and Justin Smoak kills you.

Amazing.

[Enoch Root]

Was that an intentional walk? All I can see is that it was 4 straight balls to load the bases.

no

[dsavillian]

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/media/img/readerrides/smoke_family_guy.jpg

[Lil Pedro]

Yes!!!

[Hockey]

Smoak'd

[Yoho]

Boom!

[jschick88]

God I love this lineup. Just a treat to watch.

[Enoch Root]

third time through and over 100 pitches. Couldn't fool anybody anymore

[FLAMESRULE]

Perfect inning. Martin gets plunked, single from Bautista, good eye by Edwin, and then a beauty swing by Smoak.

[Antithesis]

Was that an intentional walk? All I can see is that it was 4 straight balls to load the bases.

No, just a tired pitcher pitching around a hot hitter.

Can't imagine a situation (say outside of Barry Bonds circa '03) where you would intentionally walk a guy with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd.

If it was 2nd and 3rd, you could see 'em doing that.

[Enoch Root]

and the NY bullpen has to get another 11 outs today - that helps for tomorrow

[CedarMeter]

Haha that was sweet!

[OzSome]

Never seen Justin Smoak play before so I was a bit worried that Blue Jays might waste the bases loaded opportunity. Well, I guess he just introduced himself to me.. what a hit and grand salami!!

[browna]

A few things: a)really thought Smaok was going to hit into a DP. For a 1B, he hasn't been producing as much as some sluggers could. Moot now.

b)Last night, Girardi went to the pen too early, today, he should've gone to the pen at least two batters earlier. It was clear that Nova was losing his curveball, and was at a high pitch count (highest of season).

c)Pat and Buck killing it...those stories from the 70's and 80's' about the behind the scenes talking about relationships with umpires are very interesting..maybe not surprising, but interesting. And then relaying the story about Donaldson giving Buck for not calling his HR last night goes to show how much the players pay attention to those little things (even though you know Donaldson was joking).

[Enoch Root]

A few things: a)really thought Smaok was going to hit into a DP. For a 1B, he hasn't been producing as much as some sluggers could. Moot now.

b)Last night, Girardi went to the pen too early, today, he should've gone to the pen at least two batters earlier. It was clear that Nova was losing his curveball, and was at a high pitch count (highest of season).

c)Pat and Buck killing it...those stories from the 70's and 80's' about the behind the scenes talking about relationships with umpires are very interesting..maybe not surprising, but interesting. And then relaying the story about Donaldson giving Buck for not calling his HR last night goes to show how much the players pay attention to those little things (even though you know Donaldson was joking).

I don't have a problem with his decisions last night, but I totally agree about Nova.

[Antithesis]

First Jays grand slam at either old or new Yankee Stadium.

[OzSome]

Always sweet whenever I see Alex Rodriguez get striked out.

[Enoch Root]

92 pitches for Price through 6

looking solid right now

[Matty81]

What's the scoop on pennington? Seems like a weak bat... Maybe a defensive wiz to replace kawasaki?

If they were to get anybody else i would have thought it would be a starter to replace hutch or as insurance in case estrada comes back to earth.

[transplant99]

First Jays grand slam at either old or new Yankee Stadium.

That's a remarkable stat.

[browna]

^Am sure they have more moves to make over the next months to address more arms.

Sounds like a character guy to add to the bench, and maybe Travis is out longer than expected.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I was griping to myself this morning about Collabello not starting at 1st and Smoak hits a grand slam.

[Yoho]

There is just no hiding from this line up.

[Enoch Root]

yeah, insurance for Travis

I would like to see a LH power bat (unless Smoak is going to apply for that job!)

[jayswin]

^Am sure they have more moves to make over the next months to address more arms.

Sounds like a character guy to add to the bench, and maybe Travis is out longer than expected.

When's the trade deadline?