Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Blue Jays vs. Indians Series Thread

[Antithesis]

Toronto Blue Jays (74-56, conquering Kings of the universe) vs. Cleveland Indians (63-66, mediocre again)


Probable Starters:

Monday @5:00 Mountain Time: TOR: David Price, 13-4, 2.42 ERA; CLE: Danny Salazar, 11-7, 3.30 ERA
Tuesday @5:00 Mountain Time: TOR: Marco Estrada, 11-8, 3.19 ERA; CLE: Cody Anderson, 2-3, 4.30 ERA
Wednesday @5:00 Mountain Time: TOR: R.A. Dickey, 9-10, 4.25 ERA; CLE: Trevor Bauer, 10-10, 4.31 ERA

Another series sweep for the Jays over the weekend, and another one where it never really seemed in doubt. Gotta be frustrating to be a Yankees fan right now, watch your team completely destroy the (inept) Braves and not gain a single game on the Jays in the chase for the division lead. Oh well! Them's the breaks.

With 32 games left, if the Jays go .500 the rest of the way, they will amass a total of 90 wins which is pretty darn OK. FanGraphs has their expected final record as 92-70, with a 71.3% chance of winning the division, and a 99.5% chance of making the playoffs. Not bad!

The Jays are supposedly set to announce the hiring of Cleveland's Mark Shapiro, who will serve as the incoming President with Paul Beeston retires. I mention this as (apparently) his plan is to keep AA on as GM of the team. This is also one of the last sets of games where any number of seats are left to purchase (thanks jayswin!). Even with tickets still available, it's crazy to think that they are still expecting fairly large crowds for a Monday-Wednesday series against a team that is not a rival and frankly isn't very good. How things have changed!

Stats Time!

Over his career, current Indians hitters have the following stats vs. David Price: 182 AB, 50 H, 2 HR, 43 K, 0.275 AVG, 0.316 OBP, 0.379 SLG, 0.695 OPS
Over his career, current Indians hitters have the following stats vs. Marco Estrada: 5 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 3 K, 0.000 AVG, 0.000 OBP, 0.000 SLG, 0.000 OPS
Over his career, current Indians hitters have the following stats vs. R.A. Dickey: 70 AB, 19 H, 0 HR, 14 K, 0.271 AVG, 0.358 OBP, 0.314 SLG, 0.672 OPS

Over their careers, current Blue Jays hitters have the following stats vs. Danny Salazar: 21 AB, 6 H, 2 HR, 5 K, 0.286 AVG, 0.286 OBP, 0.667 SLG, 0.952 OPS
Over their careers, current Blue Jays hitters have the following stats vs. Cody Anderson: NO STATISTICS AVAILABLE
Over their careers, current Blue Jays hitters have the following stats vs. Trevor Bauer: 29 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 3 K, 0.310 AVG, 0.429 OBP, 0.483 SLG, 0.911 OPS

OK!

BLUE JAYS!

LETS!

PLAY!

BALL!

[SportsJunky]

Last series the Jays avoided a a Verlander matchup. This series they won't have to face Kluber. I like it.

[jayswin]

Perfect, tonight's game now has a "not many left" tag on ticketmaster and they disabled the interactive seat map due to high traffic. Safe to say tonight is a sellout.

Friday against Baltimore is essentially a sellout now, too. So we just need fans to get excited after a win tonight and snap up everything for tomorrow and Wednesday and it will pretty much be a sold out regular season going forward.

[jayswin]

I was just thinking back to earlier discussions on the Jays on CP, and what could have been. Remember Caged Great wanting the Jays to sell high on our best players and enter a rebuild when we were in the thick of starting to build for a playoff run?

Not a shot at CG at all, as if we had only built half way and missed the playoffs things would have looked pretty bleak, but imagine if actually had been sellers and entered a long rebuild next season? Good lord, we could have been looking at 30+ years of no playoffs.

*Disclaimer; I fully realize we haven't made the playoffs yet

[jayswin]

It was neat to see that ESPN segment that TSN showed on Sportscentre where they basically all agreed that the Blue Jays are now the best team in baseball and championship favorites.

Sometimes when you're caught up in the hoopla and hype yourself you don't know how much is real and if you actually are as good as everyone on the bandwagon leads you to believe, but it seems the whole baseball world has seen this team through August and said "yep, they're right near if not at the top of the league."

It almost feels like if we had this line-up from day 1 we'd be running away from the league record wise. What a special year.

[KidCanada]

I am not sure how to estimate something like this, but I am curious since the deadline deals, what new additional revenue has been created through the increase in ticket sales, merchandise, advertising(?). From a business perspective they have to be just raking it in these days.

I don't want to get too far ahead, but its hard not to look at the possibility of playoffs as real now and what a first weekend that could be in October with the Flames season starting, playoff baseball, NFL going on.

[cavalera403]

I think that what they have done to teams that are either chasing the Jays or how they have played the Yankees is a feat that can not be under stated. In the years of great expectations and "hope" when it came to crunch time those teams around the Jays would just stomp on them and leave all fans hopes dashed... not any more.

The Twins come in and are the second wild card team...sweep
Then go to the Angles (second in the wild card) that is usually a massive bust ... a sweep that is a beat down
Go to Texas (again second in the wild card) ... take two of three and the game they loose is not a great loss

Then the Yankees who at the all star break we had 13 games to go against and are 4-2 with 6 more to play

They keep beating the teams that are out of the picture and this should be a great finish to the year.


I love meaningful baseball

[Sylvanfan]

The Jays may catch a bit of a break missing the better pitchers that the Indians can throw at a team in Kluber, and Carrasco. As mediocre as the Indians are they have a decent rotation, and they have been playing a bit better of late.

[jayswin]

Looking at the interactive seat map is hilarious right now. This game is not sold out, there is one seat available out of 46000, haha.

Section 117R, row 22, seat 1.

[The Big Chill]

Why are the Indians bunting in the first inning?

[jayswin]

Dman, Salazar really settled down after that walk to Donaldson.

[GirlySports]

It was neat to see that ESPN segment that TSN showed on Sportscentre where they basically all agreed that the Blue Jays are now the best team in baseball and championship favorites.

Sometimes when you're caught up in the hoopla and hype yourself you don't know how much is real and if you actually are as good as everyone on the bandwagon leads you to believe, but it seems the whole baseball world has seen this team through August and said "yep, they're right near if not at the top of the league."

It almost feels like if we had this line-up from day 1 we'd be running away from the league record wise. What a special year.

Theyre still not good enough for ESPN baseball!

[Caged Great]

I was just thinking back to earlier discussions on the Jays on CP, and what could have been. Remember Caged Great wanting the Jays to sell high on our best players and enter a rebuild when we were in the thick of starting to build for a playoff run?

Not a shot at CG at all, as if we had only built half way and missed the playoffs things would have looked pretty bleak, but imagine if actually had been sellers and entered a long rebuild next season? Good lord, we could have been looking at 30+ years of no playoffs.

*Disclaimer; I fully realize we haven't made the playoffs yet

I never expected them to have the balls to go out and actually go for it. I hate middle of the road half measures. That's why the Flames stalled out after 04, and that's why the Jays have sucked for 22 years. Either go in whole hog or blow it up and start over.

The Jays have gone in whole hog, and that's awesome.

[Machiavelli]

No answer for Salazar right now

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Goins, beauty play.

[transplant99]

What a well pitched game thus far.

[jayswin]

No answer for Salazar right now

Except to hit it right at him, apparently, haha.

[whosurnabby]

nice at bat by the MVP. Here's our chance now.

[jayswin]

We're getting bad luck with most of our dangerous offense coming with 2 outs. Tough to score runs that way.

[whosurnabby]

Mvp!!!

[MRCboicgy]

BringerofTriple

[KootenayFlamesFan]

2 run triple! Nice!

[KelVarnsen]

On the board!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

EE and JD both with 35 RBIs this month. Crazy.

[GirlySports]

Pitcher couldnt fieldd his position twice and paid for it

[MRCboicgy]

Big Papi just took one over the Monster to give the Sox a 3-2 lead

[whosurnabby]

watching David Price reminds me of the good ol' days when I only used to watch a Blue Jays game every time Doc starts (once every 5 games)...except nowadays I also watch 4 more times after the
ACE starts. ;)

Let's Go EE! Keep the hitting streak alive!!!!

[MRCboicgy]

26!

[whosurnabby]

YES!!!! Hitting streak is still alive!!! #26 for EE!

[whosurnabby]

Nice late inning switch by Gibby (Smoak's at 1st now) to start the 7th. Was hoping he'll do it once Tito pulls Salazar, but yeah...I think Sanchez and Osuna will finish this game.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Not a great idea for Cleveland to give Price the lead. Yay for us, though.

[MRCboicgy]

Ugh.

[KelVarnsen]

Ugh Jose.

[jayswin]

What the hell was Bautista doing there? That bobble cost a run, most likely. He's a great player, but he sure makes me nervous any time he goes to field a ball.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Jose's had a rough time in the field lately.

[JayP]

Bautista is just not a good fielder. Why even try and barehand that?

[whosurnabby]

Price gotta work on that ACE magic now.

[KelVarnsen]

The ball did take an odd bounce of the wall.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ah man, 3-2 Indians. Lame.

[whosurnabby]

Bautista is just not a good fielder. Why even try and barehand that?
Let's not overreact now. JoeyBats is a SOLID RF (defensively). "Baseball" things just happen in a 162 game season.

[JayP]

Let's not overreact now. JoeyBats is a SOLID RF (defensively). "Baseball" things just happen in a 162 game season.

The numbers strongly disagree with Bautista being solid. So does the eye test.

[jayswin]

It's definitely had a "one of those games" feel to it all night. Hopefully one more inning with the big boys will at least send it to extras. I like our chances then.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Over 100 pitches for Salazar, hope they yank him now. He's been great.

[MRCboicgy]

Ok, let's do this.

[jayswin]

Alright, sweaty palms, let's see what we can do. Top of the order, as far as I'm concerned I'm treating this inning as our bottom of the 9th, gotta do something here.

Even one run and I'll feel okay, I like our odds in a tie game at this point.

[whosurnabby]

Alright, sweaty palms, let's see what we can do. Top of the order, as far as I'm concerned I'm treating this inning as our bottom of the 9th, gotta do something here.

Even one run and I'll feel okay, I like our odds in a tie game at this point.
Hopefully we can do something against the Tribes' bullpen here.

[jayswin]

Let's hope this pitcher is a bad as Shaw Cable.

[jayswin]

****, I wanted Revere in the lead off so bad for so long, and now he hasn't done anything, haha. It must be a tough position psychologically.

[jayswin]

****, this is not good.

[whosurnabby]

****, I wanted Revere in the lead off so bad for so long, and now he hasn't done anything, haha. It must be a tough position psychologically.
Small sample size. Only reason why I didn't want him there was because I'd rather give Tulo the extra AB on a tight game like this one.:)

[MRCboicgy]

Ok, another two-out hit

[jayswin]

There's no way for me to say this without sounding like a downer, but I really think we needed this one out earlier. I hope I'm proven wrong.

[MRCboicgy]

Ooh walking Tulo after giving up two balls (heh)

[whosurnabby]

ugh. that was really deflating. I'd like to see Dioner pinch hit for Goins in the 9th. Hopefully that happens.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I wouldn't pinch for Goins, he's been great lately. 11 game hit streak.

[JayP]

Small sample size. Only reason why I didn't want him there was because I'd rather give Tulo the extra AB on a tight game like this one.:)

Yup. It makes the 9th that much tougher now since if the Jays turn the order its just a slap hitter batting first. I'd much rather have Tulo get an extra AB and a chance to win it with one swing.

[MRCboicgy]

Argh...really, trying to do too much

[whosurnabby]

ugh..I love JD, but come on man! Tulo would've snagged that for the last out!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ouch. Donaldson throws it away. All this with 2 out.

[KelVarnsen]

I haven't enjoyed this game.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Would have felt a lot better going to the bottom of the inning only needing 1 run. Oh well, let's do this.

[Caged Great]

Well that was a great play there.

Nice when the Jays D plays like Angels from a week ago... Threw this game away.

Oh well, can't win them all.

[corporatejay]

Caged, to be fair that wasn't a routine grounder. Yes it was reckless but let's not get crazy

[whosurnabby]

I haven't enjoyed this game.
I guess the next best thing is watching the Red Sox win against those stinkin' Yanks! :blink:

[Caged Great]

At least the bullpen for the Indians is not very good, a slightly better chance of coming back than against anyone else.

[Caged Great]

Caged, to be fair that wasn't a routine grounder. Yes it was reckless but let's not get crazy

More griping about the throw than getting the glove on it.

[Machiavelli]

Glad EE got his hit.

[GirlySports]

Indians are tough. Remember they took 5/7 from the Yankees.

[Enoch Root]

Boston is up 3-2 and are 1st and 3rd with 1 out in the seventh

Shreve coming into the game now

[Caged Great]

Hoping the Yanks lose. Makes today not matter as much.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Well, Pillar is on, not over yet.

[Enoch Root]

Red Sox have a run in, 4-2 now. 2nd base, 2 out

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Goins! 2 on, 1 out. C'mon Revere!

[MRCboicgy]

Goins takes it the other way. Ok Revere, earn your leadoff spot

[JiriHrdina]

Great piece of hitting.

[Caged Great]

1st and 2nd now with Revere up.

[GirlySports]

That breaking ball is nasty

[whosurnabby]

goins takes it the other way. Ok revere, earn your leadoff spot
this.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Damn. 2 out. C'mon JD.

[jayswin]

God damnit. Now it's basically up to a hero hit by Donaldson!

[JayP]

Tulo back at leadoff please.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Wow, some great pitches there.

[JiriHrdina]

Cripes that is some kind of hook

[MRCboicgy]

Boo.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

He went? Lame way to end the game. That's some kind of breaking ball, wow. Go get 'em tomorrow.

[whosurnabby]

Red Sox just do your job please! What a bummer. Gotta' tip my cap to Salazar though. He was beasting tonight.

[jayswin]

Story of the night is the Jays had their regular dangerous scoring opportunities but they were all with 2 outs. That and some poor/unlucky fielding cost them.

[jayswin]

Red Sox just do your job please! What a bummer. Gotta' tip my cap to Salazar though. He was beasting tonight.

Yep, incredibly strong start for him. Good night for Price, too, imo. Not an ace night, but most nights that was a winning effort on this team.

[whosurnabby]

Story of the night is the Jays had their regular dangerous scoring opportunities but they were all with 2 outs. That and some poor/unlucky fielding cost them.
Good thing we missed Kluber. Next two games are certainly winnable with Estrada and the Dickster pitching.

[Enoch Root]

I was surprised they didn't have Revere bunt there - try to get the runners to 2nd and 3rd for Donaldson

And no, this game does not mean that Revere shouldn't be at leadoff. Tulo looks more comfortable at 5th. And he had a couple chances to knock in runs

[Enoch Root]

Boston left the bases loaded. 4-2 after 7

[Finger Cookin]

Tulo back at leadoff please.

Jays lost? Blow it up.

[Enoch Root]

Jays are 24-6 in their last 30.

And 2 of the losses were Price starts

[jayswin]

One thing that hit me after calming down was how awesome it is to be upset about a loss on the last day of August!

[MRCboicgy]

Jays are 24-6 in their last 30.

And 2 of the losses were Price starts

I was just thinking that too, and it made me grumpy!

[whosurnabby]

One thing that hit me after calming down was how awesome it is to be upset about a loss on the last day of August!
Tomorrow's going to be better. When's the last time the Jays played meaningful baseball in September? Yup. The race to 95-97 wins vs the Yanks for the AL East pennant is ON!:D

[Enoch Root]

Yankees 1st and 3rd with one out in the 8th

[Enoch Root]

Double play - inning over

[JayP]

Jays lost? Blow it up.

No, its just about having a vastly superior hitter getting more ABs instead of reacting to a 20 game sample.

[Enoch Root]

Yankees 1st and 2nd, nobody out

[Enoch Root]

I think this Boston closer is a Yankees fan

[jayswin]

Bases loaded, jesus.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

4-3 now, c'mon Sox close it out.

[Enoch Root]

Machi has thrown 26 pitches and 10 have been strikes

3 walks and a single so far. 4-3 now with one out

[Enoch Root]

cannot believe Machi is still in there

[GirlySports]

strike three!!!!!

[Enoch Root]

Here's a crazy stat:

NY has gotten 20 guys on base in this game. And they are still down 4-3

[jayswin]

strike 1!

[GirlySports]

4-4 and makes the last out, what a failure :D

[Enoch Root]

sweet - Yankees lose (some how)

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Thought for sure the Sox were blowing that. Whew!

[jayswin]

Okay, I feel better about today now.

[Resolute 14]

Jesus Boston...

Anyway, for Jayswin and his attendance fetish - based on current tickets sold (pretty much every game but tonight and tomorrow is a sellout already), the Jays will finish around 2.8 million in attendance this year. That will be their highest total since 1995. It will also be around a 20% increase from last year.

[The Big Chill]

What a catch by Goins!

[whosurnabby]

Ryan Goins glove is amazing!!!

[whosurnabby]

Time to do some damage! Runners on corners, 0 out, the MVP is up next!

What?! Is that bunt to please the "Jays don't play enough small ball" crowd?! I hate free outs!

[MRCboicgy]

Bunt?

[SuperMatt18]

I feel like that was all Donaldson thinking he saw something in the defense he could take advantage of

[V]

Estrada's not exactly exuding confidence the last couple innings.

[Caged Great]

I'd rather they go with Lowe next inning, Sanchez and then Osuna provided we don't score.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Nobody should be surprised by how tight these games are with the Indians. They're one of the hottest teams in baseball and been beating some good teams.

Still, I would feel better if we managed a couple insurance runs in the next couple innings.

Edit: crap...sorry for jinxing it everyone.

[whosurnabby]

Yanks clinging to a 1 run lead in Boston, bottom of the 6th with 2 outs. 2-1

[GirlySports]

Bautista looks like he's summoning rain.

[whosurnabby]

Dalton Pompey getting a taste of meaningful baseball in September!

edit* huge steal by the hometown kid!!!

and another steal!!!

[The Big Chill]

Stole third, too!

[KelVarnsen]

Pompey!

[GirlySports]

Small ball!

[Caged Great]

Manufactured run entirely by Pompey there. Awesome work.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I am enjoying Dalton Pompey. Kid came to play, not just be a call up.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win in the playoffs.

[transplant99]

Love it when small ball is executed and successful.

[JayP]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win in the playoffs.

It helps, but let's not completely buy into these ex 80's ballplayer announcers eating up the small ball. Many, many playoff games are won and lost by the long ball too. Not every playoff game is a 2-1 affair.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

It helps, but let's not completely buy into these ex 80's ballplayer announcers eating up the small ball. Many, many playoff games are won and lost by the long ball too. Not every playoff game is a 2-1 affair.

I'm referring more to the willingness to win. Just gave up the lead? Come right back and find a way to get the lead back, even if it means manufacturing a run. Gotta be able to score multiple ways in the playoffs, that's all.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Steals third easily, catcher doesn't bother with a throw.

So much to like about this team. Pompey can pinch run anytime...

[V]

No chance that's safe.

-Edit- Crap, what a slide.

[GirlySports]

Looked out in real time but he never tagged hin

[whosurnabby]

I am enjoying Dalton Pompey. Kid came to play, not just be a call up.
I wish him great success in the future. The talent is clearly there, but he's still raw. Just gotta keep on working on his A game in the minors for the time being.

Edit* Review that Gibby!

[Dan02]

That was a brilliant slide.

[The Big Chill]

Impressive slide. Looked like he had him for sure on the live viewing.

[whosurnabby]

That was a brilliant slide.
Totally. Review crew got the right call.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Bummer. Rick Porcello just finished racking up his 13th strikeout when Gardner yanks a pitch down just inside the foul pole. 3-1 Yankees. No luck for Porcello on a brilliant night of pitching with 2 of his 3 runs being unearned.

[KelVarnsen]

Great pitching from Sanchez.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

winning run is coming to the plate for Boston with 1 out in the 8th. Oh, did I mention it's Big Papi?

Edit: wow...one inning too soon. Double steal with Ortiz at the plate. Bogaert's would have been safe at 3rd but Headley pushes his foot off the bag and the umpire calls him out. Super fracking shady stuff going on there.

[Dan02]

Well I hope EE doesn't get another chance to extend his hit streak,

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yeah, sucks for EE but I hope he doesn't get back in there.

[GirlySports]

Let them tie it up hihihihi

[Cali Panthers Fan]

winning run is coming to the plate for Boston with 1 out in the 8th. Oh, did I mention it's Big Papi?

Edit: wow...one inning too soon. Double steal with Ortiz at the plate. Bogaert's would have been safe at 3rd but Headley pushes his foot off the bag and the umpire calls him out. Super fracking shady stuff going on there.

Brutal, the call stands after review, even though it's clear Headley pushes his foot off the bag. Unbelievable. Ortiz strikes out. Threat over.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

#### me.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Oh no.

I guess EE gets another crack at it.

[Dan02]

Bahumbug

[Jiggy_12]

This game just kind of had that feel. Weird

[KelVarnsen]

FU Gomes

[The Big Chill]

Smells like an EE walk off.

[whosurnabby]

Dammit...Gomes still reminding me in 2015 how the Indians fleeced us with that Esmil Rogers - Gomes trade coz' AA decided to roll with JPA. Bummer!

[MRCboicgy]

Seriously a triple?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yikes. Shut it down now, Osuna.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Indians just won't go away. Really playing the spoiler role well here late in the season.

[Caged Great]

Dammit...Gomes still reminding me in 2015 how the Indians fleeced us with that Esmil Rogers - Gomes trade coz' AA decided to roll with JPA. Bummer!

I'd rather have Martin than gomes

[The Big Chill]

Damnit. Need a strikeout now.

[KelVarnsen]

Urge to kill rising

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'd rather have Martin than gomes

I'd rather have Navarro than Gomes.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Excellent play by Goins.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Lucky, there's 2. He can still get out of this tied.

[Jiggy_12]

I really like Goins. He's a gamer

[KootenayFlamesFan]

That scared me. Thought it was going out. Okay EE, it's your time to shine.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

*sphincter relaxes*

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Red Sox 0-60 this year when trailing in the 9th.

No time like the present to end that streak.

[V]

Time for a walk-off to keep the streak alive.

[Lil Pedro]

Come on EE!!!

[Caged Great]

Parrot time EE.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Good job, Tulo.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Ugh. Tailor made double play. On to the 10th.

[The Big Chill]

Yanks won. Got to get this one.

[bluejays]

Going to tomorrow's game. Nosebleeds but can't wait!

[whosurnabby]

I'd rather have Navarro than Gomes.
lol..wasn't suggesting that Gomes was better than Navarro and Martin, but I guess it just reminded me how convinced AA was that JPA is the #1 catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays at one point. :bag:

[GirlySports]

woooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MRCboicgy]

Holy Goins

[Dan02]

yup, rob me of hits? I'm gonna put it where you can't get it.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Goins!!!!????!!!!!!

He's on fire! Jays win!

[KelVarnsen]

Goooooooiiiiiiinnnnnnnssssss!

[The Big Chill]

Yeaaaaaa!!!!!!!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Devon Who? Ryan Frickin' Goins. Not sure who plays even if Devon Travis were to come back right now.

[GirlySports]

hahahahaha got him twice!

[DropIt]

Don't want to be that guy, but I had a good feeling Goins was going to pull that off

[transplant99]

I still dig the long ball the most.

[Caged Great]

Goins Goins Gone

Jays Win

[The Big Chill]

So awesome to see Goins get a moment in the spotlight.

[Acey]

Get up ball. That was awesome.

[Jiggy_12]

Lovin Goins right now. Seriously

[Acey]

http://i.imgur.com/a17qpt7.png

[Caged Great]

With the Yanks winning, at least the pace is kept. Down to the last 30 games on the schedule. Need to win at least 18 of them I'm figuring in order to keep ahead of the Yanks.

[CaramonLS]

Goins has a .442 obp for the month of August. If he could ever keep it in the .340-.360 range, he would be an everyday guy.

[whosurnabby]

With the Yanks winning, at least the pace is kept. Down to the last 30 games on the schedule. Need to win at least 18 of them I'm figuring in order to keep ahead of the Yanks.
The upcoming 7 gamer against them is going to be HUGE. The boys has to be on top of their game at Yankee Stadium and at home this time.

[Caged Great]

As long as they keep it either 3-4 or 4-3 vs the Yanks, they should be fine. The rest of the schedule is easier. Only Cleveland has a good team.

[Racki]

Man I love Ryan Goins. The kid is a ball player. I have no idea what the Jays do next year now. If his new approach at the plate continues to produce similar results next season how do you not allow him to play everyday? I like Devon Travis a lot but it's hard to argue that Goins is not a significant upgrade defensively. Travis was better with the glove than his scouting report suggested but Goins is an elite second baseman.

[Racki]

The rest of the schedule is easier. Only Cleveland has a good team.
And we are about to get Baltimore at the perfect time. They look like a team that has completely packed it in. Lost 11 of their last 12 I believe.

[Bar-Down]

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/09/01/new-york-yankees-mark-teixeira-injury-update-crutches

Mark Teixeira could be out for a while.

Sabathia and now Teixeira out indefinitely. Jays gotta take advantage.

[Frequitude]

Watching Goins, Pillar and Tulo play Defense is a freakin treat.

[whosurnabby]

And we are about to get Baltimore at the perfect time. They look like a team that has completely packed it in. Lost 11 of their last 12 I believe.
Meanwhile Tampa Bay has silently creeped back in the 2nd wildcard picture. Only 3 games back of that spot. Rays have had our number ever since they became good in 2008. I am honestly scared of that pitching staff that they got there. They can't hit to save their lives, but if we end up with a scenario where the Jays slip this month and have to play a red hot Rays team in a one game wildcard play-in?! Dios Mio! I would be very very scared and pessimistic about our chances.

This team has to win the AL East. Plain and simple (just to avoid a logical scenario like that).

[SuperMatt18]

Watching Goins, Pillar and Tulo play Defense is a freakin treat.

Martin, Donaldson, and Smoak are good for their position too.

That is truly the one thing the jays turned around in a year, went from below average defensively to really good with the moves they made.

[Sylvanfan]

Cleveland might still make a run at this second Wild card spot. They're playing the Jays tooth and nail and took 4 of 6 from the Yankees. Once they finish up with Toronto they face all Central teams. So if they can start beating them they can close the gap. I like their rotation a fair bit, and wouldn't want to see them in a one game series.

[Sylvanfan]

Martin, Donaldson, and Smoak are good for their position too.

That is truly the one thing the jays turned around in a year, went from below average defensively to really good with the moves they made.

Revere in left makes a difference too. Suddenly Bautista looks like the weakest defensive guy on the team, and thats a good thing.

[Dion]

Played in our clubs Mens night and as we were coming off the course and into the clubhouse we caught the 10th inning homer by Goins. It was a thing of beauty watching that ball sail over the wall and his getting mobbed afterwards by his team mates.

The more I watch the team the more I think this a team of destiny. They have the defence, pitching and batting, leaving very little in the way of weakneses within this team. I truely get the sense from listening to the players talk that they believe they can beat anyone in the leagueand have what it takes to win the World Series.

[Frequitude]

First walk off homerun in Goins' entire life, at all levels of baseball.

[Tyler]

How vital is experience in baseball when it comes to winning championships?

That's one concern for me.. it doesn't seem like we have many guys with playoff or championship experience. Any area where we might run into troubles should we face the Yankees or the Royals in the playoffs. Or does it even matter?

[Jiggy_12]

They're pretty inexperienced but do have a few guys with some playoff games under their belts.

Rotation: Price, Buerhle, Estrada
Pen: Hawkins, Lowe,
Position players: Martin, Navarro, Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Carrera, Pennington


Interesting to note: while looking this up I discovered that RA Dickey has never made the post season. 13 years and not one playoff inning to his credit. He must be as pumped as anyone for October.

[Cowboy89]

How vital is experience in baseball when it comes to winning championships?

That's one concern for me.. it doesn't seem like we have many guys with playoff or championship experience. Any area where we might run into troubles should we face the Yankees or the Royals in the playoffs. Or does it even matter?

Playoff experience is way overrated IMHO. It's something veteran team's fans cling to when facing a plucky upstart team to justify why the fact that they're being outplayed is not an indicator that they're likely to lose. Just look at the Canucks vs. the Flames series this year. After games 3 &4 where the Canucks got outplayed, the HNIC machine and the Canucks themselves kept referring to their 'experience' like somehow that was going to make them faster or better out on the ice.

[Harry Lime]

I think that Goins has locked himself into the defensive replacement/day off/injury position for the middle infield next year. Regular playing time. If he shows that his bat so far is progression and not simply 'hot', he could even supplant Travis, although I think it unlikely. Only downside is that we won't have any Muni sightings next year. Good for Goins, he really took the opportunity and ran with it. Depth at SS/2B, that isn't a nailbiting experience, is a nice change for the Jays.

[whosurnabby]

Yanks on the verge of winning their series against Boston..bottom of the 9th with a 13-7 lead.

I read on twitter that the Jays' magic number is 25 right now. I hope it's down to 24 tomorrow. ;) Go Jays!

[MyFlamesFirst]

Mvp mvp

[Acey]

Jays knock out the Indians' starter who looks on the verge of tears as he walks off the mound, but that's pretty much the look that's been on his face since the first pitch.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I don't think I've ever seen someone score on a sac fly to 2nd base before. What an incredible slide. JD is 2 for 2, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored. And it's only been 2 innings. What a player.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Thole playing again purely to catch Dickey because apparently nobody else can. I hope he gets Dickey a nice present in the off-season for single-handedly resurrecting his major league career.

[whosurnabby]

I don't think I've ever seen someone score on a sac fly to 2nd base before. What an incredible slide. JD is 2 for 2, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored. And it's only been 2 innings. What a player.
I think it's been happening more than ever since the league banned runner/catcher collisions in home plate.

[whosurnabby]

Thole playing again purely to catch Dickey because apparently nobody else can. I hope he gets Dickey a nice present in the off-season for single-handedly resurrecting his major league career.
If you have Netflix, please do watch Knuckleball on your spare time. R.A Dickey was THE sole reason why he got his career back on track. Josh Thole had nothing to do with it.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

If you have Netflix, please do watch Knuckleball on your spare time. R.A Dickey was THE sole reason why he got his career back on track. Josh Thole had nothing to do with it.

:blink:

Uh, yeah, read what I said again. Thole owes Dickey big time, not the other way around.

[Enoch Root]

Tampa was up 4-0, but Baltimore has tied it

[Enoch Root]

Is Francona going for a 9 inning record for most pitchers?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Wow!!! Love the way Donaldson plays. Definitely elements of Pete Rose in him. Love the hustle.

[Enoch Root]

Donaldson is alert, smart, and hustling on every play.

Just like Alomar was. Totally different players, but the same in the sense that they are the smartest, hardest working, and most talented guy out there.

[whosurnabby]

:blink:

Uh, yeah, read what I said again. Thole owes Dickey big time, not the other way around.
Ooops:blink: You're absolutely right then. lol. Yeah, at this point I think these two are a "package deal" when it comes to free agent signing or trades.

[whosurnabby]

Donaldson is alert, smart, and hustling on every play.

Just like Alomar was. Totally different players, but the same in the sense that they are the smartest, hardest working, and most talented guy out there.
I think this was the main reason why AA "gave up" on Brett Lawrie. I personally love Brett Lawrie. He was alert, hard working, and gives 100% on every play out there. Unfortunately he didn't had the baseball IQ and durability to go with that. Josh Donaldson has em' all. :)

[Enoch Root]

64 pitches through 6 for Dickey, scattering 3 hits so far

The Cleveland staff has thrown 100 thru 5

[Magnum PEI]

Curious as to why the Jays use two different commentators on the radio. Not really a fan (go Dodgers) but often hear the games on the FAN and cant find info on google. Does the one guy need a bathroom break or something?

[chummer]

Curious as to why the Jays use two different commentators on the radio. Not really a fan (go Dodgers) but often hear the games on the FAN and cant find info on google. Does the one guy need a bathroom break or something?

They used to do the same when Tom Cheek was broadcasting, Jerry Howarth would do a few innings.

[Enoch Root]

Tampa with a 5-4 lead in the 6th

[MRCboicgy]

Dickey going for the CG?

[Enoch Root]

Dickey going for the CG?

for sure. 83 pitches so far. And he deserves it.

[whosurnabby]

Tampa with a 5-4 lead in the 6th
The Rays are like Roaches...even if the entire MLB goes on strike again, they'll just keep on playing ballgames the Tampa Bay Rays way still. I wouldn't want to face a HOT Rays team on a 1 game WC game.

[Enoch Root]

Really like how Francona has managed this game.

The Indians have been on a roll and he didn't want this to turn into a 15-1 type romp. So he has used basically a pitcher an inning to keep his team in it.

Keep the spirits high and the team on their toes.

[Enoch Root]

The Rays are like Roaches...even if the entire MLB goes on strike again, they'll just keep on playing ballgames the Tampa Bay Rays way still. I wouldn't want to face a HOT Rays team on a 1 game WC game.

That will be the Yankees' problem

[Acey]

Donaldson is the type of player that allows you to respond, "have you watched the Blue Jays?" when people say baseball is boring.

[whosurnabby]

Really what how Francona has managed this game.

The Indians have been on a roll and he didn't want this to turn into a 15-1 type romp. So he has used basically a pitcher an inning to keep his team in it.

Keep the spirits high and the team on their toes.
He's a great manager. If he ends up leaving Cleveland (he has an opt out clause that allows him to leave if Shapiro leaves), I have a gut feeling that the Nats will be pursuing him aggressively the most. Talk about a baseball team that is on the verge of choking away their competitive window.

[Enoch Root]

I think he already waved that option didn't he?

Such a promising young player when he was with the Expos

[whosurnabby]

I think he already waved that option didn't he?

Such a promising young player when he was with the Expos
That's what he's saying right now. Joe Maddon was adamant in the offseason that he'll stay with the Rays as well.;) Then he just "changed his mind" and decided to go for greener pastures in Chicago (of course that wasn't the real reason why).

[whosurnabby]

Ball game! Yankees still 1.5 GB of the AL East division lead.

[Jiggy_12]

The Yankees just took 5 out of 6 as they pummelled two of the most atrocious teams in baseball.

They gained nothing. Zero games.

[whosurnabby]

Stroman update via twitter:

@ArdenZwelling "Stroman's line: 4.2 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 7 K. 69 pitches, 44 strikes. 10 swinging strikes. One hard-hit ball"

If he does well in Buffalo, I'm convinced that he'll be in the playoff roster. What an amazing journey.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Donaldson is the type of player that allows you to respond, "have you watched the Blue Jays?" when people say baseball is boring.

Not just him. Encarnacion being the stuff of pitchers' nightmares, Price dominating on the mound, Goins, Pillar, and Tulowitzki playing amazing defense. A few months ago I didn't know who any of those guys were, yet now I'm actually seeking out Jays games to watch on TV

[Sylvanfan]

This recent run of the Jays reminds me of the 94 Expos just before the strike kicked us Expos fans in the nuts. I think yhe Expos had reeled off 19 wins in 22 games when the plug was pulled. It's fun to see the atmosphere in the stadium and a team that looks like winners.

[KelVarnsen]

Wasn't able to post earlier, great game tonight. Dickey and MVP looked great.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

What happens when Stro comes back? Does Hutch go to the pen?

Price - stud lefty
Estrada - solid righty
Buerhele - solid lefty
Stroman - stud righty
Dickey - knuckleball righty

That's a great rotation.

[Caged Great]

I think Buehlre might be the one to get pushed off because he's dealing with some injuries. That's why Price and him were swapped in the rotation this weekend.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Just looking at the MVP race as it stand today.

Avg.
JD - .304
Trout - .297

RBI
JD - 111
Trout - 74

HR
JD - 36
Trout - 33

OBP
JD - .372
Trout - .397

Slug %
JD - .589
Trout - .575

OPS
JD - .961
Trout - .972

Runs
JD - 104
Trout - 84

WAR
JD - 7.58
Trout - 7.51

Still a pretty tight race. Both fantastic players. JD has a slight edge in a few categories, a massive lead in RBI (thanks to playing on a great offensive team). A month or two ago I would have said Trout would probably win, but now I'm not so sure. Looks like JD may be pulling ahead. Especially if he leads his team to the playoffs.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I think Buehlre might be the one to get pushed off because he's dealing with some injuries. That's why Price and him were swapped in the rotation this weekend.

Could be right. I hope not, I'm a big Buehrle fan so I hope he can hang in there. Hutch is too hit and miss for me. He's either lights out or gets lit up. I guess if you can time his starts for home game you could be ok, but would definitely rather have a healthy Buehrle. Either way, getting Stro in there soon is like making a massive deadline deal without having to give anyone up. Looking forward to it.

[whosurnabby]

Could be right. I hope not, I'm a big Buehrle fan so I hope he can hang in there. Hutch is too hit and miss for me. He's either lights out or gets lit up. I guess if you can time his starts for home game you could be ok, but would definitely rather have a healthy Buehrle. Either way, getting Stro in there soon is like making a massive deadline deal without having to give anyone up. Looking forward to it.
It's gotta be Hutch. I wouldn't want to see Hutch starting away from Rogers Centre on a tightly contested playoff game this year.

Drew Hutchison 2015 SPLITS (according to fangraphs)
Home: 87.2IP, 2.46ERA, 77SO, .226AVG, .276OBP, .317SLG, 1.06WHIP, .281BABIP
Away: 51.0IP, 9.00ERA:eek:, 45SO, .362AVG, .428OBP, .592SLG, 2.00WHIP, and he's getting BABIP'd to death away from Rogers Centre .420BABIP.

[InBurkeWeTrust]

Any chance they will run a 6 man rotation for a short time?

[habernac]

kudos to Dickey, I was pretty hard on him this season, he's really come to play the last while (yeah, a few meh starts the last few weeks)

[Resolute 14]

Any chance they will run a 6 man rotation for a short time?

No. You don't want to limit the number of starts for Price and Dickey. Or Estrada or Buherle for that matter.

It's a bit of a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario though. Who do you start in Yankee Stadium? The guy with a road ERA of about 350, but who somehow wins games, or the stud pitcher coming off major surgery for his first ML start in nearly a year?

[Jiggy_12]

For playoffs it's a moot point as they likely do a 4-man rotation anyways.

Price is your lock
Dickey's in
Buerhle is in unless he falters down the stretch
Then you pick one of Stroman/Estrada
I'd be shocked if Hutch sees a playoff game