Game #148 - Balrimore Orioles (72-76) @ Toronto Blue Jays (73-75) - game recap

 

Brett Bateman hit a 2-run HR, the first HR of his career, in s 7-4 loss to the Orioles

After an off-day/travel-day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened a week-long home stand as they welcome the Orioles as they opened the first of six crucial games against the orange birds. The Blue Jays have won 4 of the first 7 games of the season series, but the Orioles have outscored the Blue Jays 42-33. Jesus Sanchez was DFA'd and Rudy Martin Jr. was added to the MLB roster. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup as DH after a day off Wednesday. Josh Smith was in LF, Brett Bateman was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Could the Blue Jays start the weekend and second to last homestand of the season with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Dylan Beavers led off the game with a solo blast to right
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 2nd as Heston Kjerstad singled scoring Gunnar Henderson
• A batter later, Colton Cowser doubled scoring Samuel Basallo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand
• A batter after that, Beavers singled scoring Kjerstad and Cowser
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 4th as Kazuma Okamoto whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right-center
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 5IP 7H 6R (all earned) 1BB 3K 83 pitches (57 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th on a ground out by Andres Gimenez that scored Nathan Lukes
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5IP 6H 2R (both earned) 3BB 5K 95 pitches (64 for strikes)
• The Orioles added a run in the top of the 7th as Coby Mayo belted a solo jack to left
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 9th as Brett Bateman hammered a 2-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Ernie Clement
• Rico Garcia got the last out for his 8th save of the season
• Final score: Orioles 7 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Tonight's start for veteran righty Max Scherzer gave up a home run to the first batter of the game. In the 2nd inning, the Orioles tacked on 5 more runs on 6 consecutive hits. He settled down after that and retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. The Blue Jays need Scherzer to pitch like it's 2019 when he was a key part of the Nationals world series win.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 9 over the last 4 innings. Brendon Little was the only reliever to retired every batter he faced
• Offensively, Kazuma Okamoto continues to make a strong case for rookie of the year, going deep for the 31st time this season. Brett Bateman hit the first long ball of his career in the 9th to put the Blue Jays within 3 runs, but that was as close as they would come. Vlad cannot get picked 1st base like that. Hr needs to pay attention to the 1st baseman behind him, who was sneaking over to cover the bag and receive the bullet from catcher Samuel Basallo. Ernie Clement better stop using other teammates bats - not only is it not making him a better hitter, but he's liable to break a bat. And for goodness sake, burn that home run jacket, the tean just looks goofy/unserious/unprofessional/cocky when they are celebrating a home run being down several runs
• The Blue Jays were 1-2 on ABS challenges and Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was 2-2 on ABS challengee
• The Blue Jays were 1-10 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the WC race, the Blue Jays dropped a full game and are now 2 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot. The Rangers (leading their game) are 2.5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot for the moment but will move into a tie with the Blue Jays and also be 2 games back of the 3rd WC spot. We're getting close to the WC race being a 3-team race, but the Twins (lost today) and Mariners (currently losing tonight's game) are 5.5 games back of the 3rd WC spot. The Mariners will fall to 6 games back of the 3rd WC spot, putting a pretty big dagger in their playoff hopes. It's entirely possible both teams in the 2025 ALCS (Blue Jays and Mariners. This would be the 2nd time in 3 years that happened with the Guardians and Yankees missing the playoffs in 2025 after playing each other in the 2024 ALCS
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2 game skid and avoid their 19th series loss of the sesason. It will be a bullpen day with Spencer Arrighetti either starting or pitching in a bulk role. The Orioles will counter with righty Kyle Bradish

Game #147 Baltimore Orioles (71-76) v. Toronto Blue Jays (73-74)

Game #147 - Toronto Blue Jays (73-74) @ Athletics (59-88) - game recap

After a huge win yesterday thanks to 7 strong innings from Jose Soriano and a clutch base hit off the bat of Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the winning streak to 2 games and notch their 22nd series win of the season. On yet another bullpen day, Brayden Fisher got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Charles McAdoo was in LF, Myles Straw was in CF and Brett Bateman was in RF. Alejandro Kirk got the half day off as DH. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 22nd series win of the season?  Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• Brayden Fisher pitching line: 1IP 0H 0H 0BB 1K 18 pitches (12 for strikes)
• The A's opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Henry Bolte belted a solo jack to left-center 
• The A's added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Tommy white scored on a wild pitch by Micheal Lorenzen
• Brady Basso pitching line: 4IP 3H 0R 2BB 4K 68 pitches (41 for strikes)
• Elvis Alvarado threw a scoreless 9th for his 6th save of the season. 
• Final score: A's 2 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Brayden Fisher threw a perfect 1st on yet another bullpen day.  It is very likely that the Blue Jays are going to end 2026 the way they started it  - with at least 1 bullpen day on the final week of the season. Trey Yesavage is trying to target the last week of the season to come off the IL, but he's coming off knee surgery and won't have the time to build back up to a starters capacity. Shane Bieber might be able to provide a bit more length but is likely done for the seaon. Cody Ponce won't be ready to return from ACL surgery unless the Blue jays go on another deep playoff run.  The bullpen is already running on fumes and you want to get them some rest so they can be effective in the playoffs. The Blue Jays may not have the luxury to do that.
• The bullpen gave up a further 2 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. Don't be surprised if Michael Lorenzen is optioned or DFA'd on Friday.  The Blue Jays can't afford to drop any games as they chase a wild card spot. Also not sure why Tyler Rogers and Louis Varland pitched today when the series against the Orioles is looming large and you want your top relievers well rested and at their best against a team that will no doubt relish deadline a huge blow to a division rivals playoff chances. 
• The offense didn't do much. The lack of speed of Alejandro Kirk stopped them from tying the game in the top of the 4th. Vlad killed 2 potential rallies with ground outs to end the inning. The Blue jays need Vlad to get his bat going and fast. Likewise for George Springer and Ernie Clement and the other bats in the lineup that have been inconsistent this season
• The Blue Jays were a perfect 3-3 on ABS challenge. The A's did not attempt an ABS challenge
• The Blue Jays were 2-4 with runners in scoring position
• In terms of the wild card race, the Blue Jays dropped a half game and sit 1.5 games back of the Guardians, who have the opportunity to end the night with a 2 game cushion over the blue Jays if they beat Baltimore, who could fall to 5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot with a loss. The Twins (lost today) are 5 games back of the 3rd WC spot and will gain or drop a half game depending on what the Guardians do tonight. The Rangers (lost today) are also 1.5 games back of the Guardians for the 3rd WC spot and will gain or drop a half game depending on what the Guardians do tonight.
• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays open a crucial week long home stand starting Friday against the Orioles. The Blue jays have won 4 of the first 7 games in the season series, but the Orioles have outscored the Blue Jays 42-33. Chris Bassitt starts for the Orioles.  The Blue Jays haven't set their rotation for the series yet, but Max Scherzer could very well get the nod.

Game #146 Toronto Blue Jays (73-73) @ Athletics (58-88)

Game #146 Toronto Blue Jays (72-73) @ Athletics (58-87)