Game #131 Toronto Blue Jays (63-67) @ New York Yankees (73-55)

Game #130 - Toronto Blue Jays (63-67) @ New York Yankees (73-55) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 3-1 loss to the Yankees

After pulling off a huge series win in Tampa thanks to 7 strong innings from Shane Bieber, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games as they continued the road trip in the Bronx. The Yankees and Blue Jays split the first 10 games of the season series with the Blue Jays outscoring the Yankees 36-35. Josh Smith was placed on the 10-day IL (retroactive to August 20) with left hamstring inflammation and Davis Schneider was recalled from AAA-ball. Spencer Arrighetti was activated from the 10-day IL and lefty Brendan Cellucci was optioned back to AAA-ball. It was another bullpen day with Mason Fluharty opening and Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Brett Bateman was back in the lineup in CF after missing a couple of days with a sore hamstring. Myles Straw was in LF. Kazuma Okamoto was at the hot corner, Ernie Clement was at SS, Charles McAdoo was at 2B and Brandon Valenzuela got the start at 1B. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins? Here is tonight's game recap

Game Highlights:

• Mason Fluharty pitching line: 0.2IP 0H 0R 2BB 0K 14 pitches (4 for strikes)
• The Yankees opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Spencer Jones hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in right, just inside the foul pole; also scoring Trent Grisham
• The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the 4th on a sac fly by Jose Caballero that scored George Lombard Jr.
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Brett Bateman
• Cam Schlittler pitching line: 6IP 6H 1R (earned) 3BB 4K 96 pitches (59 for strikes)
• David Bednar threw a scoreless 9th for his 30th save of the season
• Final score: Yankees 3 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• It was another bullpen day and I'll bet Mason Fluharty won't be tapped as the opener again. He walked 2 batters and only threw 4 strikes of the 14 pitches he threw. This is why I hate the opener. Starting a game vs. coming out of the bullpen are two very different beasts and  require very different preparation. Dennis Eckersley was probably the best pitcher to have succeeded in both roles. Mariano Rivera, the most famous closer in the game was a starting pitcher his first season in the bigs and he wasn't successful at it. He was much better as a closer. The Blue Jays should have at least 2 or 3 relievers who can handle a starter's role and workload on top of the traditional five to account for injury and poor performance. Having bullpen days once or twice every 5 days is not sustainable and will wear down the bullpen.
• The rest of the bullpen gave up 3 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 12 over the last 7.1 innings. Spencer Arrighetti took the loss for giving up the three runs. Brayden Fisher and Paul Sewald retired every batter they faced.
• Offensively, Alejandro Kirk drove in the Blue Jays' only run and extended his hitting streak to 10 games at the same time. His bat needs to stay in the lineup while it is sizzling hot. Brett Bateman also had a good  day at the plate with 3 base hits and scored the only run for the Blue Jays. Jesus Sanchez was the only other Blue Jay to reach base more than once with 2 base hits.
• Alejandro Kirk was 2-1 on ABS challenges and Yankees catcher Ali Sanchez was unsuccessful on the Yankees only ABS challenge of the game
• The Blue Jays were an abysmal 1-14 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays and Guardians are both a game back of the Rangers and Twins for the 3rd WC spot. The Orioles and Tigers are 1.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners are 3 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Twins and Rangers are currently tied in their respective games while the Guardians are winning big in their game and could move into a tie with the Blue Jay if the lead holds. The Mariners are leading their game and could gain a half game if they win. The Orioles won their game and the freefalling Tigers lost their game. Every game feels like a must win with so many teams very much in contention for the 3rd WC spot.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 19th series loss and 12th season series loss of the season. Ace Dylan Cease starts against Yankees lefty Ryan Weathers

Game #130 Toronto Blue Jays (63-66) @ New York Yankees (72-55)

Game #129 - Toronto Blue Jays (63-66) @ Tampa Bay Rays (76-51) - game recap

 

Shane Bieber threw 7 strong innings in a 5-1 win over the Rays 

After dropping yesterday's game due in large part to a disastrous play by Jesus Sanchez and a suboptimal Max Scherzer start. the Blue Jays were looking to escape Tampa Bay with their 17th series win of the season. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daz Cameron was in LF and Myles Straw was in CF. Could the Blue Jays notch their 17th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the1st as Kazuma Okamoto belted a solo jack to left
• Andres Gimenez left the game prior to the bottom of the 4th with right hamstring tightness
• Same half inning, the Rays tied the game as Junior Caminero singled scoring Chandler Simpson
• The Blue jays retook the lead in the top of the 5th as Nathan Lukes whacked a solo blast to right
• Two batters later, Daz Cameron hammered a solo bomb to left
• Ian Seymour pitching line: 5IP 6H 3R and(all earned) 1BB 8K 90 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 7th as George Springer singled scoring Charles McAdoo and Cameron
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 7K 101 pitches (70 for strikes)
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Rays 1

My Take:

• Shane Bieber fired 7 strong innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 7. He retired the first 9 batters he faced and 11 of the last 12. Bieber has really gotten into a rhythm and has looked much more like the pitcher that won the 2020 AL Cy Young after missing the first 2 months of the season with arm issues. If he keeps pitching like this, he's going to command big time money in free agency in the off season
• The bullpen held the Rays to a hit and a walk over the last 2 innings. Not sure if would have used closer Louis Varland in the 9th inning of a non-save situation with the Blue Jays likely to need him in New York.
• The Blue Jays are starting to hit for power with Kazuma Okamoto, Nathan Lukes and Daz Cameron all going deep.  George Springer also knocked in a pair with a clutch base hit. 
• There has to be concern about Andres Gimenez going down with a hamstring injury.  If he needs an IL stint, look for Davis Schneider to be recalled since he can play 2B or LF. 
• The Blue Jays were 2-1 on ABS challenges and the Rays were 3-1 on ABS challenges 
• The Blue Jays were 1-11 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, after the win today, the Blue Jays are just a half game back of the Twins for the 3rd WC spotand are tied (for the moment) with the Rangers, who are in a scoreless tie with the Nationals early in their game tonight and would gain a half game on the Blue Jays with a win. The Guardians (won today) are a half game back of the Blue Jays, the Orioles (currently losing to the Yankees) are a game back of the Blue Jays but will fall back a half game if they lose tonight. The Tigers, who were idle today, are also a game back of the Blue Jays (or 1.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners are 3 back of the 3rd WC spot and losing to the Brewers, so their playoff hopes are dwindling fast.
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to the Bronx where they will try to keep up with the other teams in the wild card race. The Yankees and Blue Jays split the first 10 games of the season series with the Blue Jays outscoring the Yankees 36-35. It will be a bullpen day tomorrow with Brayden Fisher likely opening and Spencer Arrighetti possibly coming off the IL to make his Blue Jays debut. The Yankees will counter with righty Cam Schlittler

Game #129 Toronto Blue Jays (62-66) @ Tampa Bay Rays (76-50)