[GDT] Jays Series Thread - at Athletics May 8 - 9

[Machiavelli]

Creeping back towards .500...

[zukes]

So glad I fell asleep before the 9th inning, I would have been screaming at the TV. Cordero has been Kevin Gregg awful this last little while. Yuck.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Hockey

Brutal.

So who is in line to take over the closer role before Santos comes back?

Jansen or Frasor?

Committee.

Tell one guy he's going to be closing the game if it gets to that point so he can prepare himself accordingly. Janssen, Frasor, or Oliver are all better options than Cordero at this point in their careers - the only thing they lack is the reputation that gave Cordero the job.

It's hilarious that crap like being a "proven closer" still exists in 2012.

[Matty81]

Unfortunate season so far, take even 4 of the 7 blown saves and but them in the win column and the record is night and day. That they even have a winning record shows just how hard they've been battling given that nobody is hitting with any reliability and the pen is worse than last year. Starting pitching has been great at least.

[dhc-2]

I can't help but feel bad for Cordero. But I still hate him. Kevin Gregg bad, indeed.

[mrkajz44]

I'm not sure why the Jays are still sticking to having a 'closer'. It hasn't worked in the past few years and it's not working this year. I feel like the idea of just a 9th inning closer is a bit outdated anyway.

So Oliver comes in and gets a 1-2-3 8th inning. He throws something like 10 pitches to do that. Why not leave him in for the ninth? He's got the confidence of the 1-2-3 inning and its not like 10 pitches is taxing his arm. I just don't get it.

[REDVAN]

A lot of pitching changes seem to be done "just because," rather than because he's actually starting to tire, give up hits, walks, etc. I don't really get it.

[howard_the_duck]

I would get it if there was some stud arm who could lock down the 9th EVERY time. Naturally, a manager would bide his time and make sure the relievers can get you to Mr. Automatic.

Having that guy be Cordero by default is losing this team games right now, and I absolutely agree that if there's a reliever who's got a hot hand, leave him in.

I'm hoping Farrell can develop into a more progressive manager, because I've found a few times already this season that he's mismanaged the team AA has put together.

[Jiggy_12]

Lind batting 8th today according to DJF...good.

Right now my lineup would be: Lawrie, Escobar, Johnson, Bautista, Encarnacion, Arencibia, Rasmus, Lind, Thames

[Otsy]

Lineup for today though is
KJ
Escobar
Bautista
EE
Thames
Lawrie
Rasmus
Lind
JPA

[Jiggy_12]

Jannsen the new closer, Cordero takes it like a man saying he understands why and will do what it takes to help the team.

[flames_1987]

Santos has the stuff to be one of the majors best relief pitchers. I look forward to his return. Some of those sliders he threw when healthy were incrdible

[flames_1987]

Another packed house in Oakland

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by Jiggy_12

Jannsen the new closer, Cordero takes it like a man saying he understands why and will do what it takes to help the team.

Fantastic news.

[KelVarnsen]

Lind single!

[flames_fan_down_under]

Kelly Johnson's been great in the lead off spot.

[flames_1987]

I agree about managers taking a different approach to the closer position. I think it's a pipe dream for the Jays to adapt any new age approach however, considering the rest of MLB isn't either. I do find it incredible how easily some people blame the bullpen, and that it never has anything to do with the opponent, or the fact that relief pitching can be such a wildcard when you're dealing with 1 inning outings. Cordero signing still makes no sense to me, he was getting lit up in the NL Central and then he comes to the Al East?!

[flames_1987]

And why in the world is Escboar looking to bunt both times at the plate?! In the 1st and 3rd inning, after Johnson has walked both times. In what world should your #2 hitter be bunting that early in the game, or at all?

[KelVarnsen]

Lind 2 run home run!

[KelVarnsen]

Also digging the high sock look on the Jays today.