2021 Blue Jays Season Thread

[Enoch Root]

It was so predictable, I am not even disappointed. Just glad to see Vladdy turning MLB upside down

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Whenever he runs onto the field from the pen it feels like a loss is looming.

There's no trade using minimal assets that can improve the bullpen?

Not when every single team in the majors knows we need bullpen help.

[nixon45]

That was an absolute brutal watch. I would have gladly changed to the paint drying channel or Holiday log.

This team is either the best thing on TV or utterly unwatchable.

At least Vladdy is consistent. Splitting this series feels like a ####ing crime.

[Hockey]

Whats the site or Twitter account that shows the balls and strikes

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Hockey

Whats the site or Twitter account that shows the balls and strikes

BaseballSavant is your best bet if you want to see every breakdown known to man.

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

BaseballSavant is your best bet if you want to see every breakdown known to man.

Im just looking for some from the game today where the ump was calling strikes on pitches that were outside the zone.

[puffnstuff]

Theres a twitter account @umpscorecards. They dont post all the pitches, just show what the ump had established as a strikezone vs the real one. They grade the umps and point out the 3 worst calls in terms of affect on the score.

They do have an archive that might have more info but havent visited it myself.

Todays games will be posted tomorrow.

[Sylvanfan]

Well after posting here for nearly 20 years I'd like to go out in a more positive light. Watching Vladimir Guerrero Junior has been a real treat this year. He's still very young by Baseball standards and what he has done thus far this year is pretty remarkable. All the ability that was bandied about in the minor leagues is on full display now. If he leads the Jays to a World Series win, I'll be happy to come back and post a big whoohoo that day. I Hope he can keep this up for another 15 years, and all of us can enjoy watching a rare talent like this.

[Karl]

Dolis & Grichuk killed us in this one. Grichuk has been slumping back to the old Randal over the last 3 weeks.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Karl

Dolis & Grichuk killed us in this one. Grichuk has been slumping back to the old Randal over the last 3 weeks.

That was inevitable, he is what he is. A decent 4th OF on a contender.

Thanks goodness Springer is on his way back soon.

[Roof-Daddy]

Frustrating season.

Between the brutal schedule, the key injuries, the ####ty bullpen, the rotation taking two months to sort itself out, and some terrible luck at key times the Jays have just not been able to get on a sustained roll.

Schedule gets a bit better going forward, hopefully the Jays can take at least 2 of 3 from the slumping Yankees (who surprise, surprise were able to enjoy an off day right before this series to rest the pen etc), get some guys back (Springer/Kirk/Merry/Borucki/Murphy/Hatch) and then get on a .600+ roll for a couple months.

[flamingred89]

Originally Posted by Karl

Dolis & Grichuk killed us in this one. Grichuk has been slumping back to the old Randal over the last 3 weeks.

I want to like Randal. But there's something about him that just doesn't sit right. Not to mention he has all the potential in the world but just cant seem to hit consistently. And his complete inability to take a pitch. The dude is hitting .269, which is decent, but his OBP is sitting at .300 which is atrocious considering where his average is. Maybe Springer coming back will light a fire under him again and we can get hot Randal. Because that guys not half bad.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

I want to like Randal. But there's something about him that just doesn't sit right. Not to mention he has all the potential in the world but just cant seem to hit consistently. And his complete inability to take a pitch. The dude is hitting .269, which is decent, but his OBP is sitting at .300 which is atrocious considering where his average is. Maybe Springer coming back will light a fire under him again and we can get hot Randal. Because that guys not half bad.

Don't look at Gurriel then .266/.288

[flamingred89]

Ha. Yeah he got off to a horrible start. But since May 13th he's slashing .358/.376/.558/.934. So he's trending in the right direction towards his career .850OPS.

[Roof-Daddy]

Biggio despite a slow start has his wRC+ up to 100
Gurriel despite a slow start has his wRC+ up to 86

Both guys are trending in the right direction.

Add in Springer who is starting his rehab assignment and eventually Kirk, the line up will be frigging stacked.

The rotation seems to have rounded into form.

The schedule has a lot of Orioles/etc on it coming up.

The bullpen will get back Merryweather and hopefully Borucki, as well as Murphy and Hatch, and hopefully the front office adds a solid bullpen arm or two via trade as well.

The Yankees don't look like the juggernauts everyone expected and IMO the Red Sox are a bunch of luck sacks. The Jays need to make a serious run for 2nd place in the division and a wild card, as I don't think the Rays will fade. They are the real deal.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Perhaps others are venting frustration that their goals (Jays winning every game) are being blocked but I'm quite happy with the Jays' performance to date.

Without their closer
Without their top free agent, impact bat
Some young power arms hurt or still learning the big leagues

Yeah guys are going to have down parts of their season but I try to be realistic with what options they have to fill those roles - how difficult it is to find replacements and how they've managed to stay above .500 and within striking distance.

Evoldi was great from the get go - he executed his pitches and they have a good closer (who Vladdy got to). I thought he was very effective and tough to get to him. Jays bullpen needs improvement no doubt - maybe they should let starters go longer if doing well but you have to believe they are trying to address ie find solutions in and out of system.

When healthy, I'd put Springer in the 4 spot (even though it's R-R-R-R) just to allow Vlad good pitches - if they make no moves tdl.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski

Perhaps others are venting frustration that their goals (Jays winning every game) are being blocked but I'm quite happy with the Jays' performance to date.

Without their closer
Without their top free agent, impact bat
Some young power arms hurt or still learning the big leagues

Yeah guys are going to have down parts of their season but I try to be realistic with what options they have to fill those roles - how difficult it is to find replacements and how they've managed to stay above .500 and within striking distance.

Evoldi was great from the get go - he executed his pitches and they have a good closer (who Vladdy got to). I thought he was very effective and tough to get to him. Jays bullpen needs improvement no doubt - maybe they should let starters go longer if doing well but you have to believe they are trying to address ie find solutions in and out of system.

When healthy, I'd put Springer in the 4 spot (even though it's R-R-R-R) just to allow Vlad good pitches - if they make no moves tdl.

But there is the flip side

1. Vladdy is having one of the best seasons through 60 games in the last decade
2. Ray (On a 1 year deal) is having an amazing season
3. Siemen (On a 1 year deal) is having an amazing season

We are wasting what could be 3 career years (I know Vladdy is young but if you win triple crown there isnt a lot of up left to go!) because we can't get anything from the bullpen the last 6 weeks

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

But there is the flip side

1. Vladdy is having one of the best seasons through 60 games in the last decade
2. Ray (On a 1 year deal) is having an amazing season
3. Siemen (On a 1 year deal) is having an amazing season

We are wasting what could be 3 career years (I know Vladdy is young but if you win triple crown there isnt a lot of up left to go!) because we can't get anything from the bullpen the last 6 weeks

Here's the upside, there is still 100 games left. Let's see if they can go on a run and win 8-10 in a row. I just don't see the reason for the doom and gloom.

If Ray and Semien both like the team they will come back, and will help the Jays in the future. It's pretty obvious that they are 2 years minimum away from being a true world series contender.

Let's all enjoy the fun and remember how terrible many of the years have been as a Jays fan.

[carmenshoes]

Jays are up against Jordan Montgomery who is a lefty vs our rightly lineup. Let's get'em.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Biggio despite a slow start has his wRC+ up to 100
Gurriel despite a slow start has his wRC+ up to 86

Both guys are trending in the right direction.

Add in Springer who is starting his rehab assignment and eventually Kirk, the line up will be frigging stacked.

The rotation seems to have rounded into form.

The schedule has a lot of Orioles/etc on it coming up.

The bullpen will get back Merryweather and hopefully Borucki, as well as Murphy and Hatch, and hopefully the front office adds a solid bullpen arm or two via trade as well.

The Yankees don't look like the juggernauts everyone expected and IMO the Red Sox are a bunch of luck sacks. The Jays need to make a serious run for 2nd place in the division and a wild card, as I don't think the Rays will fade. They are the real deal.

2nd place in my opinion is very much in play.

Red Sox have the 5th hardest schedule going forward while the Jays have the 5th easiest. Only thing the Red Sox have in their back pocket is some guy named Chris Sale who started throwing off the mound recently. They have otherwise been very lucky with their team being mostly healthy.

However the Jays can no longer afford to give away games. The Chatwood implosions and Dolis'ings can no longer happen if the Jays want to be serious about contending.

I think it's finally time to park Dolis further down the leverage chart.