2015 ALDS - Toronto Blue Jays Vs. Texas Rangers - PLAYOFFS!!!!!

[Jiggy_12]

Well that was worst case scenario for game 1 of a 5 game series.

Home field advantage lost. Ace pitcher off his game. Two potential injuries to two best hitters.

Need a win tomorrow. Bigtime.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yes, thank the invisible guy in the sky. Just answer the baseball question please.

[J pold]

Fack.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Is that stat right, Price is now 0-6 in the playoffs? Quite the clutch ace the Jays have...

Yes

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

The Price was wrong today. Hits two guys that develop into runs. So disappointing, really thought we'd win this game.

he hit 3 guys all year, then 2 today and they both scored

[J pold]

11 days rest though!

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Is that stat right, Price is now 0-6 in the playoffs? Quite the clutch ace the Jays have...

But I'm the ####### for calling that out.

[Mathgod]

Price struggled today but I think a large portion of the blame can be directed at the lack of clutch hitting when runners were in scoring position.

[automaton 3]

Not a great outing by Price.

Glad the injuries aren't serious.

Onto tomorrow.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

But I'm the ####### for calling that out.

It may have been more the way you called it out, opposed to the act of calling it out itself.

Was a tad over dramatic.

[Jiggy_12]

Glad we have Stroman going tomorrow. If we can't win a home game with Price/Stro on the mound, then it isn't meant to be.
Glad they're back at it right away. Hamels is tough but he's not untouchable. Righty heavy (hopefully) lineup can do some damage. Let's get Colabello in there and let Smoak sit and think about what he did.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

Price struggled today but I think a large portion of the blame can be directed at the lack of clutch hitting when runners were in scoring position.

They were all trying to do too much, swinging at crap they had no right to be even thinking about. And I think Price played a part in that too, how demoralizing is it when you get a run back to cut the lead only for your starter to give it right back the next inning? That causes guys to grip the bat tighter and try to smash every pitch, thinking they have to score because the pitching isn't getting it done

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It may have been more the way you called it out, opposed to the act of calling it out itself.

Was a tad over dramatic.

That is a valid criticism.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

But I'm the ####### for calling that out.

You were miles over the top. I'd have him back next year in an instant. And he's still the guy i would want starting a must win playoff game for us.

[JonDuke]

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

They were all trying to do too much, swinging at crap they had no right to be even thinking about. And I think Price played a part in that too, how demoralizing is it when you get a run back to cut the lead only for your starter to give it right back the next inning? That causes guys to grip the bat tighter and try to smash every pitch, thinking they have to score because the pitching isn't getting it done

The Jays approach at the plate the first time through the order really was a big factor in the game. The nerves clearly got the best of them because the patient, calculated approach they've had all season was nowhere to be seen and they were just helping out Gallardo who couldn't throw anything resembling a decent strike. But the bats settled down and really did make a game of it - there were 3-4 hits that went ~385 ft that would be homers if they weren't hit right at straight away centre.

The game really just came down to Price wilting under pressure. Like you said, everytime the Jays got themselves back in the game, Price gave it back immediately and really didn't make them earn it. Ace pitchers cannot be hitting multiple batters and putting fastballs right down the pipe with men on base. If Price got singled to death, so be it. But that felt like a start from a guy like Hutchison - overall not the worst game, but all the damage was self inflicted. In the postseason when runs are at a premium that's unacceptable from your best pitcher.

Let's just hope that Stroman doesn't let the hype and excitement get to him and over pitches early tomorrow. If the Rangers take an early lead, that's a lot of pressure on the Jays hitters.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Buck and Tabby at the stadium, too bad they didn't call the game. I'm blaming today on them and Rogers

[SuperMatt18]

Think it is more about Price pitching a bad game then anything with the rest or his playoff history. Think it is more the excitement in the building throwing him off, good innings when the crowd was quiet, but coming out of a big inning for the offense with the electricity back he started to over pitch.

Not too worried about the guys playoff history either. Guy pitched a two-run complete game victory in game 163 against Texas in 2013, in 2011 against Texas games he only let 3 Earned Runs against a pretty stacked Texas lineup, and in his lone playoff game for Detroit he went 8 innings with only 2 runs against.

If we had to go back to him in Game 5 I wouldn't be too worried.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Price owning it, anyway. No excuses, just says he expects more out of himself.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

You were miles over the top. I'd have him back next year in an instant. And he's still the guy i would want starting a must win playoff game for us.

This is true, but games like this would make me very hesitant to give Price $200mil. Normally, I don't buy into the small sample size playoff stats that much, but Price missing high and away so much as well as hitting batters just showed a guy who was over-pitching. In a high pressure situation, that could easily be interpreted to be a guy who just can't handle it. Given his past playoff history, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

If the Jays are going to throw out a contract like that, they can't afford to miss like some other teams. And given the fact that you're really paying that contract to essentially try and get big starts in the playoffs and buy a World Series, it's a huge red flag.

[greyshep]

I thought everyone was saying there is no such thing as momentum in baseball. Still looks to me like the way lineups and rotations were handled after clinching, etc has had a negative effect on the Jays entry into the first playoff game.

I sure hope they can get their mojo back before its too late.

And why is it that they play a 162 game regular season and then the first round of the playoffs is only a best of 5? Not to mention the wildcard only being a 1 game event, yikes!