Oct. 2-4: Blue Jays vs. Rays Series Thread

[Jiggy_12]

Yankees absolutely sputtering their way in to the post season. Could lose home field in the wildcard game going 1-6 in the past 7 games (assuming they don't come back and win today).

[Jiggy_12]

Texas is running away with it in the 7th, 9-2 now over the Angels. If that holds, Astros will face the Yankees in the wildcard (in either Houston or NY) and the Jays will host the Rangers on Thursday in game 1.

[CgyFlamesftw]

Jays get the Rangers and it's the worst match up for them. Could be a short post season..

[JayP]

Originally Posted by CgyFlamesftw

Jays get the Rangers and it's the worst match up for them. Could be a short post season..

How exactly? What facets of the game does Texas hold an advantage in?

Offense? Clearly not.
Defense? Not after the trade deadline.
Starting pitching? Clearly not.
Bullpen? Texas has pitched well lately, but one good month doesn't overwrite their terrible results the rest of the season.

If anything, this is the best possible match-up. Teams like the Astros (starting pitching) and Yankees (bullpen) at least have one advantage over the Jays. The Rangers realistically have none.

[whosurnabby]

Originally Posted by CgyFlamesftw

Jays get the Rangers and it's the worst match up for them. Could be a short post season..

Jose and Edwin didn't wait this long to experience a short postseason. Like I said countless times before, I honestly think that those two are saving their best for the postseason run.

[CgyFlamesftw]

Originally Posted by JayP

How exactly? What facets of the game does Texas hold an advantage in?

Offense? Clearly not.
Defense? Not after the trade deadline.
Starting pitching? Clearly not.
Bullpen? Texas has pitched well lately, but one good month doesn't overwrite their terrible results the rest of the season.

If anything, this is the best possible match-up. Teams like the Astros (starting pitching) and Yankees (bullpen) at least have one advantage over the Jays. The Rangers realistically have none.

It actually is. Pitching wise Houston has keurchel that's all, angels starters have been brutal all year and their offense is only thing that would give jays trouble. Texas offense has actually been on par or better than the jays past 2 months and next hottest team after the jays is of course the Rangers. Starting pitching could be a wash but given how gallardo has completely owned the jays that could turn the favor for the Rangers.

[Jiggy_12]

Astros lose so Yankees will host the WC game.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by CgyFlamesftw

Texas offense has actually been on par or better than the jays past 2 months

No, it sure hasn't.

Since August 1st:

TOR - 341 runs scored, 224 runs allowed - +117 (40-18) 0.689%
TEX - 303 runs scored, 244 runs allowed - +59 (38-22) 0.633%

[wingmaker]

Didn't the Jays sweep Texas just a few weeks ago? And did it in Texas?

Whatever, if the Jays can't beat Texas than it wasn't for real, anyway. There is no way Texas is the biggest threat in the post-season. KC, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, even the Mets are all way more daunting than Texas. Captain obvious alert, you have to beat good teams to be a champion. Bring it.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by wingmaker

Didn't the Jays sweep Texas just a few weeks ago? And did it in Texas?

Whatever, if the Jays can't beat Texas than it wasn't for real, anyway. There is no way Texas is the biggest threat in the post-season. KC, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, even the Mets are all way more daunting than Texas. Captain obvious alert, you have to beat good teams to be a champion. Bring it.

It was back in July I think. Jays won 2, Texas won 1.

What does the National league have anything to do with Texas being the hardest opponent in the American League. They have to get to the World Series before worrying about who they play there.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Looks like Jays are getting Gallardo and Hamels for game 1 and 2. Gallardo has killed the Jays and Hamels has pitched 13 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings versus the Jays. Not going to be easy.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

It was back in July I think. Jays won 2, Texas won 1.

What does the National league have anything to do with Texas being the hardest opponent in the American League. They have to get to the World Series before worrying about who they play there.

It was August 25-27. That third game was (a) against Gallardo; (b) winnable if not for Bautista's brainfart trying to scoop up a single; (c) played in the scorching Texas heat

[flamingreen]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

Looks like Jays are getting Gallardo and Hamels for game 1 and 2. Gallardo has killed the Jays and Hamels has pitched 13 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings versus the Jays. Not going to be easy.

And Texas gets Price and Stroman.

[GirlySports]

I dont like playing the Yankees ever so Texas is a good matchup.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by flamingreen

And Texas gets Price and Stroman.

Have they announced Stroman yet? I hope it is, but I was thinking it may be Estrada in game 2 as he is a fly ball pitcher, and the wind tunnel to right field in Texas may be something to avoid with him.

[Jiggy_12]

Nothing has been announced yet but smart money IMO would be Dickey as your game 2 starter. Home vs away numbers make a compelling argument for it.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Nothing has been announced yet but smart money IMO would be Dickey as your game 2 starter. Home vs away numbers make a compelling argument for it.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I wouldtry to line Dickey up with a home start.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I find Dickey way too unpredictable for a playoff matchup in a 5 game series. If his knuckleball isn't dancing, the game is over before it starts.

[Machiavelli]

The knuckleball has been good lately.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

The knuckleball has been good lately.

Yup. Since the start of August really.