The Blue Jays: 2009 Season Thread

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays biggest problem this year is going to be lack of depth at Starting Pitching. With Litsch on the DL this is already a problem. They just won't find enough quality innings from the starters.

Agreed. However the Jays bullpen is still very strong, and if the our starting guy is having a rough outing it looks like our offense can keep pace and give our bullpen a chance to salt away a W. Downs, Carlson, and Camp have all looked really good.

[flames_1987]

There def. is going to be some pitching struggles to come but might as well enjoy the Jays playing as well as they are now!

I know Marcums gone for the season but whats the report on Mcgowan and while on the top whatever happened to our young strong releiver Jannsen? Still hurt?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

There def. is going to be some pitching struggles to come but might as well enjoy the Jays playing as well as they are now!

I know Marcums gone for the season but whats the report on Mcgowan and while on the top whatever happened to our young strong releiver Jannsen? Still hurt?

Media have said they believe McGowan is gone for the season. As for Casey Janssen have not heard anything about him.

[Gozer]

Casey left a preseason game when his surgically-repaired shoulder was bothering him. Currently on the 15-day DL and I haven't heard anything about him recently.

Marcum and McGowan will both sit out the season IF the Jays have a poor season, but if they keep up this torrid pace, they might both be back (August would be my guess).
Don't hold your breath though.

Even if Litsch stays on the DL, we have two terrific prospects in Mills and Cecil that will get big league starts this year. We still need a lot of luck, but I'd say that we need less luck than Tampa had for their pitching staff last season.

Finally, HOLY bananas, this team is hitting like crazy! And no cheapies, seeing eye singles, or poor plays, we are smoking the ball all over the field. It's almost surreal.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Gozer

Finally, HOLY bananas, this team is hitting like crazy! And no cheapies, seeing eye singles, or poor plays, we are smoking the ball all over the field. It's almost surreal.

I wonder if this is the Cito effect. The old batting coach knowing what buttons to press to let the guys cut loose at the plate.

[Sylvanfan]

The Jays as a team did hit considerably better after Gaston and Tenace took over from Gibbons last year. Plus keep in mind they haven't had to go up against what has shown to be a top pitching staff yet. Cleveland has the worst pitching in Baseball right now and Minnesota has allowed the 4th highest run total in all of Baseball. Detroit thus far is a middle of the pack staff.

But no doubt the team is hitting very well even if it is against weak pitching. The Jays team OB% is 369 and the team slugging is 533 for a OPS of 902. I don't think they had a single player with a OPS over 900 last year let alone the entire team.

[Machiavelli]

Grand slam for freaking Kevin Millar!!!!

9-1 Jays.

Love the hitting so far this season.

[Sylvanfan]

Millar just hit a grand slam and the Jays lead the Twins 9-1 in the top of the 7th. Jays continue to hit the ball pretty well, and get hits with 2 outs and guys on base.

[Machiavelli]

The multiple walks and passed balls by the Twins' #1 and #2 haven't hurt either.

[Jiggy_12]

I don't care if the Jays are playing weak pitching, they played plenty of weak pitching last year and made those guys look like stars.

Hitting with runners on, 2 outs, hitting for power...something woke up in this team.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

I don't care if the Jays are playing weak pitching, they played plenty of weak pitching last year and made those guys look like stars.

Hitting with runners on, 2 outs, hitting for power...something woke up in this team.

No pressure and no expectations.

[phiten]

I am living vicariously through the jays since the flames are ****

[Saint Troy]

Jays are a plus 29 in run differential, the entire lineup is on fire except for Rios, great start.

[Da_Chief]

They have couple of real good young finds in Snider and Lind. Hopefully they keep improving and don't crap the bed when they sign their big contracts.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The Jays as a team did hit considerably better after Gaston and Tenace took over from Gibbons last year. Plus keep in mind they haven't had to go up against what has shown to be a top pitching staff yet. Cleveland has the worst pitching in Baseball right now and Minnesota has allowed the 4th highest run total in all of Baseball. Detroit thus far is a middle of the pack staff.

But no doubt the team is hitting very well even if it is against weak pitching. The Jays team OB% is 369 and the team slugging is 533 for a OPS of 902. I don't think they had a single player with a OPS over 900 last year let alone the entire team.

It is early in the season, so perhaps those teams starts are so bad because they Jays already ripped them? If 1/3 or 1/4 of your games so far have come against a team that lit you up, it can make your stats look way worse than they should.

But it is early in the season, and things can and will change. I'm planning to enjoy this ride while it lasts.

[Machiavelli]

Purcey walked the bases loaded, gave up a triple, and then gave up the tying run while managing to get his catcher injured as well (Barrett looks to have dislocated his shoulder). Only got 3.5 innings in, so no rest for the bullpen.

And you could tell Cito was not impressed at all.

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Purcey walked the bases loaded, gave up a triple, and then gave up the tying run while managing to get his catcher injured as well (Barrett looks to have dislocated his shoulder). Only got 3.5 innings in, so no rest for the bullpen.

And you could tell Cito was not impressed at all.

Brutal effort by Purcey, can't stay in the big leagues if you can't throw strikes. Rios sucks.

[Flickered Flame]

I am impressed with the A's effort. Down 5-1 they could have mailed it in. 7-5 A's running on 3rd 1 one out.

[ricoFlame]

yikes, purcey did not do well with a nice 5-1 lead. that was ugly.

[Flickered Flame]

Nice win for the A's!