2018 Blue Jays Season Thread

[Roof-Daddy]

Good to get the series win but in both wins the jays had 8-1 and 7-1 leads in the 6th inning and ended up having to use osuna to get 7 combined outs because the middle of the pen cuts it too close. Those guys have to be better.

[Jiggy_12]

The season is so early, bullpens always have to figure themselves out until everyone settles in (or doesn't and gets replaced). The important key is they haven't blown a win yet. They've won the games they should have won, and lost the games they should have lost.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Ill take a 6-4 start. Solarte makes such a difference in that he gives you good at bats and pushes Morales down the order which is where he should be.

Smoak turning into a real weapon has been huge as well. Switch hitting first baseman who can hit for contact and power with plus D and paying him peanuts, what’s not to like.

[Roof-Daddy]

Vladito with his 1st AA bomb today, and Gurriel and Bichette off to strong starts as well.

Hopefully Gurriel keeps chugging along and gets a MLB look sometime this year.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Just peaking at Vladito's stats before tonight he had two hits so far and both were doubles and has only struck out once in 11 at bats, the kid has an unreal eye at the plate.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Good to get the series win but in both wins the jays had 8-1 and 7-1 leads in the 6th inning and ended up having to use osuna to get 7 combined outs because the middle of the pen cuts it too close. Those guys have to be better.

Not concerned about the bullpen yet. Far too early.

Also in addition to what Jiggy said:

(1) Given it's the very beginning of the season, the starters are not being stretched beyond 5-6 innings, even when pitching well. Therefore there's more bullpen innings in games when leading required for pitchers to take it to Tepera and then Osuna.

(2) When up by 6-7 runs you don't bring in your set up guys. Hence when the situation called for it Tepera and Osuna came in.

(3) There's a feeling out period with the manager, where he has to figure out what he has in the bullpen this year and how to best use them. Naturally that means guys slot in maybe where they don't fit in best for their current performance (Relievers are finicky, recall Steve Delabar). It's very promising for the Jays this year to have the 8th and 9th inning most likely already figured out. Some other teams don't even know who their closer is, let alone who the set up guys are.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Morales leaves the game early with a hamstring injury. JD now playing 1B.

Pearce drilled a 3-0 pitch for a 2-0 lead but Machado just hit a solo shot to make it 2-1.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Bases loaded, none out. Smoak up.

*crosses fingers*

[KootenayFlamesFan]

No idea why Diaz ran there. That ball was not deep.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

And that's it. No runs. Ouch.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

No idea why Diaz ran there. That ball was not deep.

That throw was absolutely perfect though.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

That throw was absolutely perfect though.

Still, Pearce was up next and has been hitting well. I'd take my chances with him.

He hit it plenty deep enough for Diaz to score.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Still, Pearce was up next and has been hitting well. I'd take my chances with him.

He hit it plenty deep enough for Diaz to score.

Fair enough. I think it's a tough call. Those are always easier to make with hindsight

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Yeah for sure. It just seemed so shallow to me. And there only would've been one out with Pearce up. I disagree with the Jays, just hope it doesn't matter in the end.

[Karl]

Ah, come on Russell...

[Karl]

Come on Travis. Do something good. Get out of your slump.

Edit: ok that's half decent

[Karl]

Jeez. Jays just bungling bases loaded opportunities.

[nixon45]

Sooo are they going to leave the bases loaded for a third time....

[transplant99]

Diaz has sure looked underwhelming thus far....unfortunate.

[Joborule]

Gonna go 0 and 3 on getting at least a run with base loaded here eh?