2011 Blue Jays Season Thread - Page 31 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

flames_fan_down_under · 05-23-2011, 11:46 PM

I don't know much about baseball but it seems like Aaron Hill is slowly getting it together. His numbers seems to be improving every week.

Caged Great · 05-23-2011, 11:54 PM

The jays are currently the 12th best team in baseball, and 2 games out of 1st in the AL East.

Just imagine if they had more than 2 good batters in Bautista and Escobar (3 when Lind gets back). They're winning games due to their bullpen, and it's a shame if they couldn't go out and get another bat or two (call Lawrie up for 1)

Kidder · 05-24-2011, 07:50 PM

Know what the Jays could really use? A competent bullpen. Or at least a decent closer. Boy do they need a closer.

Flames in 07 · 05-24-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidder

Know what the Jays could really use? A competent bullpen. Or at least a decent closer. Boy do they need a closer.

the bullpen overall has been great. Francisco himself has been awful.

Sylvanfan · 05-24-2011, 09:09 PM

The Jays could use a better closer, but there is no point spending money on one until you're absolutely convinced that you are going to be competing for your Division.

Again considering they lost their best reliever in Downs and another guy in Gregg who was their closer, it's still been a pretty decent unit overall.

Caged Great · 05-24-2011, 09:11 PM

The Jays bullpen is pretty deep, and is one of the best in the league. However, there are games that your pen will blow over the course of a season. It sucks, but it will happen.

Getting a closer is basically irrelevant until they get enough bats to make it worthwhile to spend money on one.

Chump · 05-24-2011, 09:46 PM

I think the Jay's pen is pretty good as well. The main problem is we have arguably our worst reliever closing for us for some reason.

Gozer · 05-24-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chump

I think the jay pen is pretty good as well.

Do you know what "competent" means?

CaramonLS · 05-24-2011, 11:34 PM

Fun stat - according to yahoo sports, Bautista is receiving the fewest amount of strikes of any MLB player (37% of pitches).

Machiavelli · 05-25-2011, 04:06 AM

So if Reyes fails to win his start today, does that tie him for the longest winless streak, or vault him into the lead?

I think he's at 27...

Where ru Chris O'Sullivan · 05-25-2011, 05:20 AM

May as well bat Bautista at lead-off, give him 5 solid ab's a game, not like anyone behind him is protecting him (w/o Lind around).

Matty81 · 05-25-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

So if Reyes fails to win his start today, does that tie him for the longest winless streak, or vault him into the lead?

I think he's at 27...

I think on the broadcast last night they said the next one will tie, his 28th without will set the new Major League record. Proud days. At least the last start was good, he's probably deserved at least 2 wins in that stretch

.

Francisco has struggled since coming back, seems to be a bit below his old velocity so far, and last night wasn't a good night for the pen in general but they are not brutal overall. I think Rauch should be the closer still and Frank should have to earn the job rather than being handed it.

The bigger issue for me is pitcher useage, Romero was cruising along when he got pulled after 7. I know he threw 100 pitches but he should have been given the chance to start the 8th and pulled at the first sign of trouble.

Farrell is pre-emptive in pulling his starting pitcher out of games so far. Done it with Morrow a few times, though I guess I'll give him Villaneuva's last start (pulled after 5 strong) as his arm might not have been stretched out fully.

Saint Troy · 05-25-2011, 11:24 AM

Ugly start today, Jays can't cash a lead off triple. Then Reyes gives up back to back doubles, and Hill drops a pop up....wake up fellas.

Machiavelli · 05-25-2011, 11:41 AM

The Reyes experiment needs to end. I'm convinced he's cursed.

Saint Troy · 05-25-2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The Reyes experiment needs to end. I'm convinced he's cursed.

Cursed, and he has no idea where the ball is going once it leaves his hand. The Jays are going through the motions thus far, zero approach at the plate.

Machiavelli · 05-25-2011, 11:56 AM

Batting practice for the Yanks, and it looks like the Jays didn't come ready to play.

Matty81 · 05-25-2011, 01:02 PM

The jays are 2 games back of the division lead, at what point does the stubbornness around Jo-Jo end and they realize that nobody on the field has any confidence during his starts and they are throwing away games with him out there.

He's lucky he has 9 unearned runs on his resume or his ERA would be well over 6.00 right now. I still don't understand how he got Zero unearned runs in Texas that time he gave up 6 in 2.2 innings because of 1 jays error.

Edit - meant zero earned runs in Texas!

fundmark19 · 05-25-2011, 01:30 PM

I really hope Jo-Jo gets one more start to break the record and that he is never seen in the majors after that.

burn_baby_burn · 05-25-2011, 01:46 PM

Enter Sandman.

Kidder · 05-25-2011, 02:48 PM

Yes, pardon my ignorance, there do seem to be some pretty good arms in the pen. But why do they seem to have so much trouble finding a guy to close the door in pivotal games? Raush and Francisco both with two blown saves so far, and some nightmare outings.

I understand you'll have some blown saves even with the greatest of closers, but cut these blown saves in half and at the very least you're tied for the divisional lead.

As soon as I saw the Yanks had narrowed it 4-3 in the bottom of the 8th yesterday I knew the Jays had lost the game. That could just be pessimism kicking in, but I wish it wasn't such an accurate predictor.

Is there anyone in the system who you guys think could be groomed for the role? Or is it something the Jays should be acquiring from outside when the time comes?