2014 Blue Jays Regular Season Thread

[KootenayFlamesFan]

In the dugout after Drew Hutchison escaped a two-on, one-out jam in Tuesday’s 5-3 Blue Jays win over the Detroit Tigers, Jose Bautista pulled the young right-hander aside and gave him a little talk.

“I wasn’t real pleased with the lack of crispness I’d had, and he said, ‘Hey, you got out of it, let’s go, turn the page,’” Hutchison said afterwards. “He’s completely right, I was able to turn the page and get over it and establish that rhythm and get going again.”

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...lk-and-no-gas/

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Tyler

The article I posted is highlighting the fact that a first place team is not getting good attendance. The Flames were never in first place in 03-04. Not even close.

Actually, after the team acquired Kiprusoff and went on a bit of a run in December they were up as high as 4th in the Conference, and were getting close to Vancouver and Colorado for the Division lead. It was a January swoon after Kipper got injured that probably cost them a chance at home ice in the playoffs that year. On a weeknight before December 1st, I could leave Sylvan Lake at 5:00 and always buy a ticket for the game at the box office. Once the team started looking like a playoff team that was no longer the case.

Right now the baseball season is at the December 10th point that a hockey season would be. If the Jays are in the playoff picture come September there will be 40,000 fans a night in the stadium. It's not like they're Tampa Bay drawing crowds of 13,000 as the team is in the playoff mix in September.

[Sylvanfan]

I will also say that usually I think closers are the most over rated position in Baseball. Can't fathom why getting the last three outs is any more difficult than any other 3 outs in the game. But since Jansen has been back the Blue Jays whole pitching staff seems to be a hell of a lot better. Not sure if it's because they have a reliever who can come in a get outs without getting lit up, or if it's because they guy is doing it at the end of the game. Mind you looking back, had the bull pen been getting 3 outs every time they had leads...maybe the team has 40 wins at this point of the year. Having Jansen back thus far has really helped the pitching staff.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Sportsnet PR ‏@SportsnetPR
We have a new record! Last night’s @BlueJays win vs. the Tigers on @Sportsnet was the most-watched game of season,attracting 889,000 viewers

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Tyler

I know what it equates to. That's not what the article is about.

The article I posted is highlighting the fact that a first place team is not getting good attendance. The Flames were never in first place in 03-04. Not even close.

That is because you are missing the point of my comment - Jaded fans don't care what you do in the first half of the season. They care about making it to the post-season. Attendance in Toronto isn't going to spike 1/3 of the way into the MLB season because the team is doing well any more than it did in Calgary 1/3 way into the NHL season back in the day. Based on the last 20 years of on-field performance, there's no actual reason to expect it to happen in Toronto.

When we come to August and the stretch run, that is when you will see the bandwagon start to fill significantly if the Jays are competing for a playoff spot.

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Sportsnet PR ‏@SportsnetPR
We have a new record! Last night’s @BlueJays win vs. the Tigers on @Sportsnet was the most-watched game of season,attracting 889,000 viewers

People want to get behind this team. If they can continue this style of play, attendance and tv viewership isn't going to be a problem for long.

[Resolute 14]

IIRC, TV viewership hasn't really been a problem for the team in a long while. That is aided greatly by having one of the largest television rights areas in all of MLB though. Not sure how many other markets outside the very largest have 36+ million people in their region.

[The Big Chill]

Melky with a bomb!

[The Big Chill]

It will forever drive me nuts that players don't bunt for a base hit when the shift is on like it is now for Lind.

[Antithesis]

Well, the teams trade home runs in the 1st ... don't know what Dickey was hoping for, grooving his 'fastball' in there for Cabrera. Hopefully he gets sharper as the game goes on.

[Tyler]

83MPH fastball to Miguel Freaking Cabrera. Dickey you dolt.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Tyler

83MPH fastball to Miguel Freaking Cabrera. Dickey you dolt.

Was the first pitch too, wasn't it? The fastball only works once the batter's timing has been messed with after seeing the knuckleball.

[Tyler]

Ergh.

[ignite09]

Solid play by Bautista

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Was the first pitch too, wasn't it? The fastball only works once the batter's timing has been messed with after seeing the knuckleball.

It was indeed the first pitch. Maybe he was hoping to catch Cabrera by surprise.

"He'll never expect a fastball right down the middle to start the at bat! It's the perfect plan!"

Ah well - even things like this are easier to shrug off when your team is 17-4 in their last 21.

[Tyler]

I love Adam Platoon Lind this year!

[The Big Chill]

Great hit from Lind. 3-2 Jays!

[ignite09]

Nice hit!

[Machiavelli]

Here comes Dickey...

[Tyler]

If we can get out of this inning it'll be huge...