The 2016 Toronto Blue Jays Thread

[JayP]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Cy Young for sure this year.

I'd find it hard to give the Cy Young to a guy who doesn't even get used with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 8th inning and his team's season on the line. He's had a great year but clearly he's getting treated with kid gloves and isn't having to clean up messes.

[browna]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Cy Young for sure this year.

Lit up in the WC game. If they get there.

[JayP]

To make last night's gut punch even worse, the Yankees pulled out a miracle win over the Red Sox. This isn't really going to have an impact on the division race, but it does have a big impact on the Jays indirectly. By clinching last night with the Jays loss, the Red Sox are almost assuredly going to throw out a lineup of minor leaguers tonight and give all their best relievers the night off. With a win last night the Jays would've delayed that to their series versus Boston.

Essentially losing last night cost the Jays a game versus a minor league lineup and an a guaranteed win - that would basically seal a Wild Card berth for the Jays. Now they have to play tonight with the season on the line. Win and you're in great shape. Lose and you're in a dog fight for the Wild Card against teams with better match-ups over the weekend.

[TKB]

Ugly loss last night, I don't hold a ton of faith that the Jays can pull a win out in a wildcard game.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by JayP

To make last night's gut punch even worse, the Yankees pulled out a miracle win over the Red Sox. This isn't really going to have an impact on the division race, but it does have a big impact on the Jays indirectly. By clinching last night with the Jays loss, the Red Sox are almost assuredly going to throw out a lineup of minor leaguers tonight and give all their best relievers the night off. With a win last night the Jays would've delayed that to their series versus Boston.

Essentially losing last night cost the Jays a game versus a minor league lineup and an a guaranteed win - that would basically seal a Wild Card berth for the Jays. Now they have to play tonight with the season on the line. Win and you're in great shape. Lose and you're in a dog fight for the Wild Card against teams with better match-ups over the weekend.

I don't know if there's much resting in baseball. Teams like to keep their players sharp and especially pitchers like a routine. The Red Sox are going to get 4 days off anyways (Sunday to Thursday)

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by TKB

Ugly loss last night, I don't hold a ton of faith that the Jays can pull a win out in a wildcard game.

But at least they sent a message to the Yankees, so the season was totally worth it. Morons.

[KidCanada]

A lot of negativity after that loss. Definitely was a bad one to lose. They are still sitting in a good position and if they take the game tonight, in the drivers seat to host the wildcard.
Been a tough month, but I still think they could beat the Rangers or Indians (believe their rotation has got banged up?) in a series. Boston scares me. Either way will be happy for some October baseball if they can win the wildcard. Anything can happen!

[Jiggy_12]

Tweet from Sportsnet stats:
#BlueJays Jason Grilli has now allowed 11 ER in his last 12 games (9.2 IP), going 0-for-2 in save opportunities with a 10.24 ERA.

They seriously can not use him as the 8th inning, high leverage guy anymore. Can they?
I think they have to look at Cecil now for that role here on out (or until he falters).

[Roof-Daddy]

How about Biagini?

Aside from a couple of rough patches he's been solid most of the year.

Man this team, if it ain't one thing it's another.

Grilli goes to crap, Osuna seems to be following him, Benoit gets hurt because of their own stupidity.

A once solid back end of the bullpen is now costing them games.

[GirlySports]

Liriano maybe? (not tonight obviously but going forward). Or Stroman?

If you trust Dickey in a Game 4 you could put Liriano and Stroman in the pen.

[Jiggy_12]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Liriano maybe? (not tonight obviously but going forward). Or Stroman?

If you trust Dickey in a Game 4 you could put Liriano and Stroman in the pen.

A week ago a completely absurd idea.

Now? Id lean towards it. If Dickey falters in the start you've got either guy to handle the long relief.

[flambers]

Jays Bullpen is simply out of gas, way to many close games.

Key factor yesterday was the lack of production from the offense...

Grilli and Osuna have pitched allot of innings.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't know if there's much resting in baseball. Teams like to keep their players sharp and especially pitchers like a routine. The Red Sox are going to get 4 days off anyways (Sunday to Thursday)

I'm not talking about resting guys. I'm talking about the Red Sox all being hungover today and sitting out all their starters because the Jays lost and they clinched first place. Same thing the Jays did last year and same thing Cleveland did on Tuesday after clinching Monday (and got destroyed 12-0).

The Jays squandered the opportunity to play that minor league line-up by losing last night. If the Jays end up missing the playoffs, that loss last night is going to be the key because it was a crucial loss to a team chasing them AND would've gave them one guaranteed win against a tough Red Sox team. Like you said, after tonight there isn't going to be much resting for the Red Sox so even though they've clinched, they are still playing the season out strong.

[Skaloper]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays Bullpen is simply out of gas, way to many close games.

Key factor yesterday was the lack of production from the offense...

Grilli and Osuna have pitched a lot of innings.

You can't score 5+ runs every game. If you have a lead your bullpen should be able to hold it even if its 2 runs. They are a bit overworked but no one else has been able to step up and show they can close out games. It will be interesting to see if they replace Grilli as the Set-Up man.

[ben voyonsdonc]

To me, it has been an issue of depth for the bullpen staff. They've had to lean heavily Grilli, Benoit, and Osuna because there really hasn't been another arm that they can trust. Now it's getting to the point that that I think Grilli and Osuna and getting run down.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

You can't score 5+ runs every game. If you have a lead your bullpen should be able to hold it even if its 2 runs. They are a bit overworked but no one else has been able to step up and show they can close out games. It will be interesting to see if they replace Grilli as the Set-Up man.

No you cannot but for the last 25 games the Jays are average 3.88 runs/game. For reference, the worst team in the league this year is averaging 3.79 runs/game. The Jays are also one of the worst teams in the AL for Avg with runners in scoring position.

The Jays have asked way too much out of their bullpen this year, and especially becausee their offence cannot consistantly produce.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Skaloper

You can't score 5+ runs every game. If you have a lead your bullpen should be able to hold it even if its 2 runs. They are a bit overworked but no one else has been able to step up and show they can close out games. It will be interesting to see if they replace Grilli as the Set-Up man.

Yeah but 5 runs every second or third game would be nice. Maybe chase a starter once in awhile too!

[868904]

Originally Posted by flambers

Jays Bullpen is simply out of gas, way to many close games.

Key factor yesterday was the lack of production from the offense...

Grilli and Osuna have pitched allot of innings.

I really don't like that argument. Pitching a lot of high leverage innings doesn't seem to bother Zach Britton.

Both guys just need to bear down.

Actually in Grilli's case, he's probably just old but that's what you get when you rely on 39 year old relievers.

[cross16]

Originally Posted by 868904

I really don't like that argument. Pitching a lot of high leverage innings doesn't seem to bother Zach Britton.

Both guys just need to bear down.

Actually in Grilli's case, he's probably just old but that's what you get when you rely on 39 year old relievers.

Zach Britton is also having a season for the ages so i'm not sure that is the best point of reference to compare. Osuna has also thrown basically 6 full innings more than Britton and is the 2nd most used closer in baseball behind Familia.

I don't disagree he needs to bear down but I do think Gibbons needs to do a better job of managing the work load on him.

[Jiggy_12]

Travis back tonight. Batting 9th. Zeke leading off.