Game #73 LA Angels (37-37) @ Toronto Blue Jays (26-47) - game recap

Marcus Stroman threw 7 strong innings in a losing effort as the Angels defeated the Blue Jays 3-1

After getting walloped (mostly Edwin Jackson) last night by the Angels, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series with ace Marcus Stroman on the bump. Justin Smoak was placed on the 10 day IL with a strained quadriceps muscle. Edwin Jackson also landed on the 10 day IL with a lower back strain. Billy McKinney and Justin Shafer took their respective roster spots. Teoscar Hernandez was also out of the lineup with a sprained wrist he injured last night banging into the wall. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was given a half day off serving as the DH, presumably to rest his injured hand from getting hit by a pitch on the weekend. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate as the primary catcher for Stroman. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is today's game recap.

#73 - Los Angeles Trouts (36-37) at Toronto Blue Jays (26-46)

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | 7:07 pm

Rogers Centre | Toronto, ON

PREAMBLE:

Well, that (almost) predictably didn't go well for Edwin Jackson in the series opener last night, just blown off the mound with 7 runs in less than an inning.  Might we have seen him for the final time in a Blue Jays uniform?

In today's second game of the series, the Blue Jays look to build upon the offence they displayed in the final few innings and get back on track, especially now that the rest of the city of Toronto no longer have any sporting distractions (well, of course, until Kawhi signs somewhere) to take away from the stench of this year's team.

Marcus Stroman auditions once again for the Padres and Yankees tonight while going up against Tyler Skaggs of the Angels.

Game #72 LA Angels (36-37) @ Toronto Blue Jays (26-46) - game recap

Cavan Biggio hit a pair of home runs in a losing effort as the Angels doubled up the Blue Jays 10-5

Big day in Toronto today (and it's not this game). The Raptors held their championship parade today, graciously waiting until the Blue Jays got back in town so they could join in the festivities. Both the Angels and Blue Jays opted to use openers in this one, meaning this game was essentially a battle of the bullpens. Justin Smoak missed his 3rd straight game with a hamstring injury. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1st base and Eric Sogard was the DH tonight. Charlie Montoyo switched the batting order a bit, dropping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to 3rd in the order and moving Cavan Biggio to 2nd in the order. Luke Maile got the start behind the plate. David Phelps was activated from the IL, with Elvis Luciano being transferred to the 60-day IL to make room for him on the roster. It was also the annual Jays Care auction tonight with many great items for fans to bid on, from road trips to throwing out the first pitch to a personalized voicemail message from retired Blue Jays broadcaster Jerry Howarth. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

#72 - Los Angeles Angelic Trouts of Anaheim (35-37) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (26-45)

Monday, June 17, 2019 | 7:07 pm

Rogers Centre | Raptortown, ON

Luis Garcia (1-1, 4.74) vs. Edwin Jackson (1-4, 10.22)

PREAMBLE:

The Blue Jays arrive home from a 6-game road trip, right smack into the middle of a berserk day in downtown Toronto.  Hopefully the incredible energy being created outdoors navigate right into the bats of the Jays hitters (hint: Vlad needs to start burnishing his ROY creds and Smoakey needs to up his trade worth pronto).

Edwin Jackson gets the start for the Jays, though I don't know why Charlie wouldn't use a starter again just to give LaStella and Trout one fewer look at prime rib nom noms being hurled by EJax.  Luis Garcia is opening for the Angels, who will go to Felix Pena when Garcia is done with his 1 or 2 frames.

EDITED: it now appears that Derek Law will open for EJax, a formula that worked well last time out.  Mr. Law, have you met Mr. Trout?  (Leaving the pitchers listed as is, just in case)

Ten weekly random thoughts: Week 11: June 10-16

This week was a rough one all around. The Blue Jays got a big scare on Friday when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was drilled on the left (glove) hand by a 96mph fastball. He ran the bases and played a half inning more before being pulled from the game for x-rays (more on that later).  Ken Giles and Edwin Luciano became the latest pitchers to go down with elbow injuries (more on that later). The good part of the week was pummeling the Baltimore Orioles in two of three games. This week features a brief four game homestand against the LA Angels and Shohei Ohtani, who hit for the cycle this week. Albert Pujols is ten hits away from tying Tony Gwyn on the career hits list and with a strong series he could hit that milestone. Then the Blue Jays hit the road again, this time landing in Boston. The Red Sox and baseball community got a scare this week when David Ortiz was shot in an ambush in his home in the Dominican Republic (more on that later). The Red Sox on the field have slowly been rebounding from a rough start to the season. Here are ten random thoughts from week 11 of the MLB.