2025 Toronto Blue Jays Season Thread

[flamingred89]

There's no doubt the Dodgers Are the better team and the favourites. But I don't think it's as lopsided as it seems. The Dodgers weren't without their struggles this year. Especially in the bullpen. And it wasn't until recently that they started winning in chunks. Mookie Betts was a shell of himself through the first 100 games. Freeman is aging. Teo was meh. They of course have the ultimate x factor in Ohtani but until the series against the Brewers his numbers in his post season career have been extremely underwhelming. The Dodgers are also prone to the choke. So there definitely is a scenario in which the Jays beat the Dodgers.

This is still pinch yourself moments even getting to talk about the Jays and Dodgers in the world series. What a special season. I've pretty much grown up with the idea that the playoffs just weren't for the Jays. It was like the Jays were my favourite summertime hobby. But come October it was always going to be the Red Sox, Cardinals, Dodgers playing on fox with Joe Buck on the call and you just watch as an impartial fan hoping for the odd upset. Truly surreal to see the Jays centre stage again.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by flamingred89

Ohtani but until the series against the Brewers his numbers in his post season career have been extremely underwhelming.

And really, he didn't do much until the last game. 14 AB, 2 H, 1 RBI, 5 SO, 3 BB.

[Mattitude]

Got tickets for game 1! My friend and I bought plane tickets to Toronto before the wild card, just in case the Jays made the World Series. Looks like I'm going to Toronto this weekend!

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

That would be such a wild WS win if we manage to pull it off. I really hope we do.

It would absolutely be one for the ages.

The more I think about it, the more absurd it gets.

Judge and Ohtani are surefire 1st ballot hall of famers, no matter what happens the rest of their career. And they are currently in their prime.

Raleigh, while I wouldn't classify him the same just yet - certainly could continue on to the hall of fame with the types of number's hes putting up, and he's in his unquestionable prime of his career.

To possibly get through these 3 guys would be a remarkable achievement. We probably downplay it a bit in our heads because these are current players that we take for granted - but looking back on these names in 15, 20 years? its an absurd level of talent we are against.

[EVERLAST]

IF BO contributes coming back and if they can keep Ohtani from continuing to be the greatest player of ALL time.....already done that......

It will be a great series is think.

I like both teams

[Josh]

So looking through a different lens here as I watched most of the Mariners and Blue Jays games this year. The Mariners were really built to score on the long ball and relied on firepower, not much for manufacturing runs as much and I think this contributed to them being really HOT, but at times also really COLD.

The Blue Jays are built differently and in a way that can sustain a longer run. They may not have a ton a BIG names or sheer firepower (Vlad Jr. is amazing and I was terrified every time he was at the plate in the prior series) what they do have is a lot of very good players top to bottom. That really helps eliminate a lot of weaknesses. They do a way better job at manufacturing runs and the team just felt more complete. I thought the ALCS was going to go 7 games, while I hoped for the M's to come out on top I had a feeling it wasn't going to go their way.

I know there is a lot of "The Dodgers are going to roll the Blue Jays" but I'm not so sure. Their bullpen has been a MAJOR issue all year and the Blue Jays seem to be good at chasing out starters early. I really like their chances here and think they're built to win it all......

Here's hoping for another special SkyDome moment!

Blue Jays hat will be going on today......

[EN FUEGO]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Having to go through the Gauntlet of Judge, Raleigh & Ohtani feels like facing various levels of video game bosses, with Ohtani being the End Boss.

Totally, but when it comes to how much they scare me facing the Jays at the plate (personally) it's almost reverse order. The regular season career stats vs. the Jays are more in line with the order you spoke of....although Raleigh's swing and miss (and possibly foot speed) shows up for sure.

41 HR in 467 AB for Judge 8.8% 1.017 OPS .300 AVG
10 HR in 84 AB for Raleigh 12% 1.016 OPS .274 AVG
11 HR in 121 AB for Ohtani 9.1% 1.154 OPS .314 AVG

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Josh

So looking through a different lens here as I watched most of the Mariners and Blue Jays games this year. The Mariners were really built to score on the long ball and relied on firepower, not much for manufacturing runs as much and I think this contributed to them being really HOT, but at times also really COLD.

The Blue Jays are built differently and in a way that can sustain a longer run. They may not have a ton a BIG names or sheer firepower (Vlad Jr. is amazing and I was terrified every time he was at the plate in the prior series) what they do have is a lot of very good players top to bottom. That really helps eliminate a lot of weaknesses. They do a way better job at manufacturing runs and the team just felt more complete. I thought the ALCS was going to go 7 games, while I hoped for the M's to come out on top I had a feeling it wasn't going to go their way.

I know there is a lot of "The Dodgers are going to roll the Blue Jays" but I'm not so sure. Their bullpen has been a MAJOR issue all year and the Blue Jays seem to be good at chasing out starters early. I really like their chances here and think they're built to win it all......

Here's hoping for another special SkyDome moment!

Blue Jays hat will be going on today......

Yeah the Jays offense is built to beat teams in multiple different ways, and they have really made good starters work all year long. If they can get to the Dodgers rotation they will have a chance. They also have an advantage when it comes to defense too.

[The Fisher Account]

I honestly don't even know how you bring Bo into this series, nor can I see how he could meaningfully contribute compared to what we have out there already

[Roof-Daddy]

The Shatkins era starting to look better and better that's for sure. Since rebuilding they've made the post season in 4 out of 6 seasons now and while failing to win a single playoff game in the 1st three attempts, they've now won 7 games and 2 series this time around (and counting).

And as I've mentioned a few times now, 90%+ of this roster is under control for next year and they have money to spend to fill roster holes. The success should hopefully continue on beyond 2025.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I honestly don't even know how you bring Bo into this series, nor can I see how he could meaningfully contribute compared to what we have out there already

They would essentially be replacing IKF's bat with Bo's bat. That's a pretty substantial upgrade, although they do stand to lose some OF defense because I imagine the plan is to DH Bo and move George to the OF

Bo to DH
Springer to RF
Barger to 3B
Clement to 2B
IKF to the bench

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

I honestly don't even know how you bring Bo into this series, nor can I see how he could meaningfully contribute compared to what we have out there already

Bo in for Loperfido, or Bo in for Yariel Rodriguez.

Neither guy was relied on or really used in any key situation.

I'd probably drop Yariel personally. With Bassitt/Lauer in the pen we have length if we need it.

Even if Bo's bat is just looming on the bench as a pinch hitter, thats more value than Yariel adds.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Having to go through the Gauntlet of Judge, Raleigh & Ohtani feels like facing various levels of video game bosses, with Ohtani being the End Boss.

Yup and then similarly, Fried and Rodon, then Woo and Munoz, then Yamamoto and Kershaw

[The Fisher Account]

Yeah but if you pinch hit Bo for someone, he's going into the field. Do you want a guy that is probably still not running great in the field?

Same with Springer. You want to put him in the OF with a bad knee? Don't think he's even played the OF since September.

I dunno.. Scheid's will have to figure that one out I guess

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah the Jays offense is built to beat teams in multiple different ways, and they have really made good starters work all year long. If they can get to the Dodgers rotation they will have a chance. They also have an advantage when it comes to defense too.

They really have a way of grinding down their opponents.....

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by The Fisher Account

Yeah but if you pinch hit Bo for someone, he's going into the field. Do you want a guy that is probably still not running great in the field?

Same with Springer. You want to put him in the OF with a bad knee? Don't think he's even played the OF since September.

I dunno.. Scheid's will have to figure that one out I guess

That's why I'd rather keep Loperfido on the roster and drop Yariel. That way we would have 14 position players and 12 pitchers (versus the 13/13 split we've done so far)

Bo goes in to Pinch hit late in the game, then you immediatley pinch run for him with Loperfido, then switch defensive alignments as necessary the following inning. The Jays have the positional versatility between Clement, Barger, IKF, Schneider, Giminez to be able to accommodate it.

I think the value of Bo's bat does outweigh the negatives. And I think you don't want to be asking "What if?" if you leave Bo off the roster. Nobody is asking that question if you leave Yariel off the roster.

[Muffins]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Yup and then similarly, Fried and Rodon, then Woo and Munoz, then Yamamoto and Kershaw

This isn't the Kershaw of old. He's basically a bullpen arm at this point and only pitched in 1 game against Philly and got beat up.

[Andrew]

We might lose this...hope not

We have lot of positions players for a while.
I hope the run inspires free agents to want to sign in Toronto to win and for the experience ...for the future

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah if you look at the roster to start the ALCS...

Santander > Loperfido
Rodriguez > Bichette

The only other thing is I wonder if they try to get Nance back in the fold somehow, but no idea how you do that.

[Jiggy_12]

Here's an example of how Bo could be used and not impact us negatively;

IKF comes to the plate in say the 8th inning, runner on base and we are down by 2 runs. Obviously, that's a spot for Bo's bat and at that point you are prioritizing offense over defense. Bo comes in to pinch hit. IKF who was playing 2B is now out of the game. Bo hits a single, and then Loperfido comes in to pinch run. Bo is now out of the game too.

After the Jays bat, Clement who was playing 3B slides over to 2B. Barger who was playing RF moves in to 3B. Then you either keep Lopefido out in RF, or put Straw in to RF and take Loperfido out. You take a small defensive hit at 3B (Barger < Clement) but upgrade your defense in RF (Straw > Barger).

I think you only do this if you are trailing or tied late in the game. If you have a lead, Bo stays on the bench.