Game #142 - Toronto Blue Jays (71-71) @ Kansas City Royals (63-79) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in a pair of runs and scored a run in a 9-2 victory over the Royals

After a huge win yesterday over the Guardians thanks to a 4-run 5th inning rally to secure the tiebreaker over the Guardians, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games as they continued the road trip in Kansas City. The Royals won the series in Toronto a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 18-8. Jameson Taillon was activated off the 15-day IL (and got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate) and Ricky Tiedemann was optioned to AAA-ball. Myles Straw was in LF. Kazuma Okamoto was back in the lineup at the hot corner after the complete day off yesterday, Ernie Clement was at SS and Charles McAdoo was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game  Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk single scoring Brett Bateman
• A batter later, Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr,
• Two batters later, Ernie Clement doubled scoring Kirk and Charles McAdoo
• The Royals  got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Bobby Witt Jr. whacked a solo blast to left
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 2nd as Kirk doubled scoring Myles Staw
• Jameson Taillon pitching line: 2IP 2H 1R (earned) 0BB 29 pitches (18 for strikes)
• Daniel Lynch IV pitching line: 5IP 7H 5R (all earned) 1BB 0K 70 pitches (46 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th on a sac bunt by Straw that scored Clement
• Two batters later, George Springer doubled scoring Nathan Lukes and Bateman
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Sean Keys hammered a solo bomb to right
• The Royals got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Vinnie Pasquantino belted a solo jack to right
• Final score: Blue Jays  9 Royals 2

My Take:

• Unforttunate start for Jameson Taillon who looks like he's headed right back on the IL after reinjuring his right elbow 29 pitches into his start tonight, His season is all but over, and maybe should have been over before tonight, or perhaps he should have done one more rehab game before being activated. It's insane that a whole roster (and then some) has been on the IL. Medical team needs to be reviewed in the off-season
• The bullpwn gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4 ov.r the last 7 innings. None of the relievers retired every batter they faced.
• Offensively, the Blue Jays ad a 4-run rally in the 1st and a 3-run rally in the 2nd. George Springer (2 RBI) Ernie Clement (2RBI, run scored), Alejandro Kirk (2RBI, run scored) snd Brett Batemsn (2 runs scored) led the way. Nice to see a team effort offensively.
• Both teams were a perfect 2-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 6-13 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the WC race, the Blue Jays are a game back of the Guardans, who swept the double header vs. the Tigers today, for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers (lost today) are 1.5 gsmes back of the 3rd WC spot. The Orioles (lost today) are 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners, who are in s 5-5 tie with the A's in their game tonight, are 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot, and will gain a half game if they win and lose a hsalf game if they lose. Finally, the Twins (lost tonight) are 4.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot.
• Up next, the Blue Jaus try to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 22nd series win of the season. Max Scherzer starts against Royals righty Seth Lugo

Game #142 Toronto Blue Jays (70-71) @ Kansas City Royals (63-78)

 

Game #141 - Toronto Blue Jays (70-71) @ Cleveland Guardians (70-70) - game recap

 

After a huge shutout win yesterday thanks to a 5RBI effort from Vlad and 6 shutout innings from Dylan Cease, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games, notch their 21st series win of the season and 9th seaon series win of the season and nab the tiebreaker over Cleveland by winning the season series. Jose Soriano got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Jesus Sanchez was in LF. Josh Smith was at the hot corner and Sean Keys served as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games, notch their 21st series win of the season and 9th seaon series win of the season and nab the tiebreaker over Cleveland by winning the season series? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Guardians opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Angel Genao singled scoring Jo Adell 
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 4th as Sean Keys singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Blue jays took the lead in the top of the 5th as Nathan Lukes doubled scoring Brandon Valenzuela and Ernie Clement
• A batter later, Brett Bateman scored on a sac fly by Guerrero Jr.
• A batter after that, Jesus Sanchez singled scoring Lukes
• Tanner Bibee pitching line: 4IP 4H 5R (all earned) 5BB 4K 89 pitched (49 for strikes)
• The Guardians got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Austin Hedges singled scoring Adell and Genao
• Jose Soriano pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 3R (all earned) 3BB 2K 98 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of i the 9th as Clement singled scoring Josh Smith
• Louis Varland threw a scoreless 9th for his 32nd save of the season. 
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Guardians 3

My Take:

• Jose Soriano battled through 4.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hours while walking 3 and striking out 2. Not the most efficient start, but he limited the damage on the scoreboard for the most pari. Soriano has emerged as a solid trade deadline pickup by the Blue Jays and will be a great addition to a postseason rotation .
• The bullpen threw 4.1 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4. Spencer Miles, who retired every batter he faced, was credited with the win. Louis Varland, who has a shot at becoming the second Blue Jays pitcher with at least 40 saves (there aren't enough games remaining for Varland to challenge Duane Ward&, who notched 45 saves in 1993), locked down his 32 save of the season. He should get another 5-8 chances at saves given the number of games left and strength of the remaining schedule. You figure the team will make sure he is available in at least 2 games in the important series left in the season: vs the Tigers, vs.  The Rangers, vs the Orioles x2..
• Offensively, a 4-run rally in the 5th carried the day. Nathan Lukes (2RBI, run scored), Ernie Clement (RBI, run scored). It feels like the offense has rediscovered the attitude that they are never out of games.  
• Key stat of the day: the Blue Jays notched their 32nd comeback win of the season today.  Last year, the Blue Jays had 49 comeback win. The 2 world series teams had 40 and 44 comeback wins. The 1987 team, who infamously misses out on the playoffs on the very last day off the season, has the record of 50 comeback wins in a season. 
• The Blue jays were 5-1 on ABS challenges. The Guardians did not attempt an ABS challenge. 
• The Blue jays were 5-14 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, this win over the Guardians was huge for more than one reason. First, the Blue Jays are just a half game behind the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot.  Second, and more importantly, the Blue Jays secured the tiebreaker with the season series win, meaning if the Guardians and Blue Jays finish the season with the same record, the Blue Jays would make the playoffs. For the moment, the Rangers and Orioles are a game back but both could be tied with the Blue Jays and also be a half game back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers have the tie breaker over the Blue jays in the event the two teams are tied for the 3rd WC spot after sweeping the Blue Jays in Toronto at the end of June.  The idle Twins are 3 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot and the Mariners, who take on the A's later tonight, are 4 games back of the 3rd WC spot, but would gain a half game with a win. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays continue the road trip in Kansas City, where they will try to exact some revenge on a Royals team that took the series in Toronto a week ago, outscoring the Blue Jays 18-8. Jameson Taillon is expected to come off the 15-day IL to start for the Blue Jays. The Royals will counter with lefty Daniel Lynch IV.

Game #141 Toronto Blue Jays (69-71) @ Cleveland Guardians (70-69)

 

Game #140 - Toronto Blue Jays (69-71) @ Cleveland Guardians (70-69) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero had 5 RBI, including a 3-run HR and finished a triple shy pf the cycle in an 11-0 shutout win over the Guardians

After dropping yesterday's opening game against the Guardians thanks to nothing from the offense and the bullpen not throwing a shutout, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 20th series loss of the season. Ace Dylan Cease got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate.  The rest of the lineup was the same as last night. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 20th series loss of the season?  Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr.  doubled scoring Brett Bateman
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the top of the 2nd on a fielder's choice hit by George Springer that scored Andres Gimenez and Myles Straw. Guardians SS Angel Genao was charged with a throwing error on the play
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. hammered a 3-run bomb to left; also scoring Bateman and Springer
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 3rd as Straw doubled scoring Ernie Clement 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 6th as Springer doubled scoring Straw
• A batter later, Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Bateman
• Joey Cantillo pitching line: 5.1IP 9H 9R (4 earned) 2BB 6K 102 pitches (66 for strikes)
• Dylan Cease pitching line: 6IP 4H 0R 0BB 4K 83 pitches (56 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 8th as Josh Smith belted a solo jack to right-center 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Sean Keys
• Final score: Blue Jays 11 Guardians 0 

My Take:

• Dylan Cease threw 6 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits, walking none and striking out 4. Maybe a bit of a surprise they pulled him with so few pitches thrown, especially a day after the bullpen day.i would have let Cease go one more inning - he still likely would have been under a hundred pitches and there would be more flexibility the remainder of the bullpen on terms of availability in the bullpen. 
• The bullpen threw 3 scoreless inningsb, giving up 2 hits, walking none and striking out five. Brendon Little and Paul Sewald retired every batter they faced. The best part about the score: Louis Varland, Mason Fluharty and Tyler Rogers will be fully rested for the big game tomorrow.
• The offense, led by Vlad (5RBI, including a 3-run HR and finished a triple shy of the cycle), Myles Straw (2 runs scored, RBI), George Springer (run scored RBI) and Josh Smith (solo HR). They even got to face a position player pitching in the 9th. Big night for Vlad, hopefully it's the start of a hot streak after a horrible season for a  player getting paid top dollar.
• The Guardians were 2-1 on ABS challenges and Alejandro Kirk successfully overturned the Blue Jays only ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 7-15 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays are 1.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers and Orioles, who both lost today, are also 1.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Twins (curreently tied in their game tonight) are 3 games back of the  3rd WC spot, but will be 2.5 games back if they win and 3.5 games back if they lose. Finally, the Mariners (won today) are 4.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. 
• Up next: pretty simple, extend the win streak to 2 games, notch their 21st series win and 11th season series win, get within a half game of the Gurdiians for the 3rd WC spot and get that all important tiebreaker for winning the season series. Lose and the Guardians likely hold the tiebreaker for havng the better interdivision record. Jose Soriano starts against Guardians righty Tanner Bibee