Aug. 14-16: Blue Jays vs. Yankees Series Thread

[dino7c]

losing in the wild card play in game would be almost as bad as not making it at all...with this roster it would be a massive disappointment if they don't get into a playoff series

people keep talking about 93' looooooooong way to go

[jayswin]

Despite what I posted before I've done a 180 and am very optimistic about tomorrow. I think our big bats are going to get it going. Can't wait.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Well the first two games didn't go their way despite good starting pitching both days.

The good news is that Hutchison had a very good start last game. Hutch has had pretty good success against everyone in the Yankees lineup not named Ellsbury (nobody has an average over .250 against him). Add the fact that he's got great numbers at the Rogers Center and I'm pretty confident the starting pitching won't be an issue today.

The bats get an inexperienced pitcher today (only his 3rd major league start), and they've beaten up on rookie pitching this year, so I imagine this will be a slump buster for a lot of batters today.

Some more good news: After today the Jays only have 2 games in the next 4 days, and both are against the woeful Phillies. The bullpen, starting pitching, and starting lineup will get a nice rest and a chance to reset for the stretch drive. The next two opponents after that are the Angels and Rangers, so the Jays can cement their position in the Wild Card if they win those series.

They also have a pretty favorable schedule in September:
-6 more games against the Yankees
-12 games against some poor teams in the Red Sox, Indians, and Braves
-6 games agains the Orioles and 3 games against the Rays; teams that are trying to chase a wild card spot and have both played some mediocre baseball this season.

All in all, I like the Jays chances of winning the division, even if they don't win today.

[Blarg]

Hopefully Hutchinson sparks the team offence with that legendary run support

[KelVarnsen]

Loving the white panel hats

[Enoch Root]

He's thrown nothing but good pitches so far

[Finger Cookin]

They have to limit the delays with teams deciding whether to review or not. It's so annoying.

[transplant99]

Need good Joey Bats to show up...not meathead Joey Bats...looks like we are waiting a while longer.

[Yoho]

This umpire is brutal

[KelVarnsen]

Jose! Jose! Jose! Jose!

[jayswin]

The bats are back!!!!!!!

[jayswin]

This thread has completely dried up since about the 6th inning yesterday, but this is great. The inning was basically over until that error, which then led to our bats coming alive.

Hopefully that wakes them up for good, I'm feeling really confident now.

[jayswin]

Hopefully the CP keyboards will come alive with the bats.

[Enoch Root]

What a beautiful inning - Tulo gets a break, then Donaldson works a single to cash in Tulo, then Bautista delivers the death blow.

3-0, despite really good pitching from Severino

[Enoch Root]

Hutchison with no runs on 1 hit through 4, and only 55 pitches

Been fantastic so far

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Hopefully the CP keyboards will come alive with the bats.

Hey now, I'm busy watching the damn game!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Hutchison with no runs on 1 hit through 4, and only 55 pitches

Been fantastic so far

He's unfairly hated. Hutch is a good pitcher who is still relatively young and getting better all the time. Just because he's been poor on the road (I mean really poor), people think he's useless and want a recently rehabbed Stroman in the rotation over Hutch. I think that's a poor decision at this point in the year.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

You know, I know we just had the poll for 1B, but Smoak might be the best defensive 1st baseman this team has ever seen. I'm really confident with him in the field.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

He's unfairly hated. Hutch is a good pitcher who is still relatively young and getting better all the time. Just because he's been poor on the road (I mean really poor), people think he's useless and want a recently rehabbed Stroman in the rotation over Hutch. I think that's a poor decision at this point in the year.

Sorry but these last 2 starts aside he has been brutal for most of the year...and certainly not "getting better all the time". In fact he was getting worse for a long stretch there.

There is no hiding from a 5.26 ERA.

All that said it will be a bonus if he is the pitcher we are seeing right now moving forward because this club needs him as Stroman is still a month away from starting a game in the majors and this race will come down to the last week I believe.

[KelVarnsen]

Great game Hutch!