Wednesday, May 31, 2017

no. 53 2017: Reds (24-27) at Blue Jays (25-27)



Wednesday 31 May2017
12:37 PM EDT / Skydome
Tim Adleman (RHP 3-2  4.95 ERA  33K) v. Mike Bolsinger (RHP 0-2  5.75 ERA  14K)

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

no. 52 2017: Reds (24-26) at Blue Jays (24-27)



Tuesday 30 May 2017
7:07 PM EDT / Skydome
Asher Wojciechowski (RHP 1-0  2.25 ERA  3K) v. JA Happ (LHP 0-3  4.50 ERA  20K)

Monday, May 29, 2017

no. 51 2017: Reds (24-25) at Blue Jays (23-27)



Monday 29 May 2017
7:07 PM EDT / Skydome
Lisalverto Bonilla (RHP 0-2  6.17 ERA  16K) v. Marcus Stroman (RHP 5-2  3.30 ERA  51K)

The Magic of Baseball


I had a discussion yesterday about who is the "realist" - the optimist or the pessimist? I think everyone here knows I fall on the optimist side. I outlined why I feel that is. And since I need content (writers, where are you?) and this discussion happened to fall just as we were changing threads (so not many of you would have seen it), here it is:


It's the pessimist who sits in the shadows, giving them tunnel vision. The optimist sits in the sun, which gives them more light in which to see a fuller spectrum. The optimist knows that there are no absolutes, that every moment in time is something fresh that has never come before, that the past can only be a guideline, never a predictor. The optimist knows that even situations that may seem bleak always have a blessing in it and know to leave room for them.

In this particular situation, baseball is baseball. In this young season, we've already seen something that has never happened before (Coghlin jumping over the catcher.) The reason most people love the game is that it isn't predictable, that it's full of magic. Teams that look like they should dominate sometimes don't. Teams that look like they should have given up before the season starts have miracle seasons. Teams that go through a rough stretch frequently overcome them and go on to make the playoffs. To take a bad run 30 games into the season and use it to extrapolate for an entire season takes the magic out of baseball. And we here at JITH know the magic.

Our mantra? #WhyNotUs


Here's some baseball magic.


Sunday, May 28, 2017

no. 50 2017: Rangers (24-26) at Blue Jays (23-26)



Sunday 28 May 2017
1:07 PM EDT / Skydome
Andrew Cashner (RHP 1-4  3.18 ERA 21K) v. Joe Biagini (RHP 1-2  3.75 ERA 30K)

Saturday, May 27, 2017

no. 49 2017: Rangers (24-25) at Blue Jays (22-26)




Saturday 27 May 2017
1:07 PM EDT / Skydome
Yu Darvish (RHP 4-0 2.83 ERA 68K) v. Marco Estrada (RHP 3-2 3.30 ERA 70K)

Friday, May 26, 2017

no.48 2017 Rangers ( 24-24 ) at Blue Jays ( 21-26 )





Friday May 26, 2017
7:07 EDT/ Skydome Rogers Centre
A.J Griffin ( 4-1 5.02 ERA) vs Mike Bolsinger ( 0-2 6.32 ERA)


According to Griff, Odor is trying to distance himself from last year's ruckas. We'll see. Of more importance, will injured Cole Hamels be sitting in the dugout? Will he have seen the error of his ways and shaved his horrible beard?

Of note: Dwight Smith Jr and Cesar Valdez (he was up?) are back down in Buffalo to make room for Dosh and Tulo.


Toronto Blue Jays
Kevin Pillar  CF
Josh Donaldson  3B
Jose Bautista  RF
Kendrys Morales  DH
Justin Smoak  1B
Russell Martin  C
Troy Tulowitzki  SS
Devon Travis  2B
Ezequiel Carrera  LF

Texas Rangers
Shin-Soo Choo  DH
Elvis Andrus  SS
Nomar Mazara  RF
Jonathan Lucroy  C
Roughed Odor  2B
Mike Napoli  1B
Joey Gallo  3B
Jared Hoying  CF
Delino DeShields  LF


This is your game thread. "Miss you, Joe" Edition

Home sweet home




The boys are back in town and look who's showed up. While no official announcement has been made, both Tulo and Josh are expected to be on the roster when the Jays play a weekend set with the current ALDS losers, Texass Rangers. After losing 4 of the last 5, including being swept by the Bosox, you would think the Jays are meeting them at the right time. But you all know, baseball.

The Rangers have injury problems also.

Expected match ups

Friday--Bolsinger vs A.J Griffin 7:07 PM
For those of you who like offence, this game should be for you. Now that I've said that, watch both of these guys be lights out through 8. Naw, whoever scores last should win.

Saturday--Estrada vs Darvish 1:07 PM
For those of you who like pitching, this game should be a dandy.

Sunday--Biagini vs Cashner 1:07 PM
This one is anybody's guess. Biagini got babiped in his last outing.

After Matt Bush hit Bautista last year and the subsequent fight with Odor, after JB slid hard into 2nd, Odor is trying to put the whole thing behind him. I would think that with the Jays being only 5 games under .500, trying to get back into it, there will be no fireworks. The Rangers have there own issues and are more concerned with ending their losing ways, than reopening old wounds.

Looking ahead, Happ is beginning his rehab journey, speculated to be 1 to 3 games, and Liriano is expected to make his first rehab start on Sunday. Good thing, because nobody knows who is going to be the starter on Tuesday vs Cinci.

One series, one game, one inning, one out, at a time.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

News.

One of the things I like about the comment section is that the latest news is usually posted and discussed.
So here's some stuff that you may know or not.

While not everyone's cup of tea, it's nice to see someone who is well known in the blogging community get a gig at one of the MSM sites. Jenn Smith will be contributing to The Sporting News Baseball.


Bob Uecker calling Goins grand slam.





As you must know by now, Anthony Alford injured his hamate bone and will require surgery. I wasn't sure why surgery was required but Stoeten wrote a piece, That included a blurb from the Marlins blog, FishStripes, that explains how they treated Stanton with the same injury. Learn something new everyday.

For those of you keeping track of the injury congo line.


I've noticed that more than a few people have wondered about Bautista and Martin playing 3rd instead of  Coughlin. One of the best answers I've seen was Coughlin's multitude of errors at the hot corner. So I guess if  Gibby wants a heavy, right handed lineup with the best defence, it's Coughlin to the outfield.

Worth mentioning is a bizzaro world that TWO batters get injured swinging the stick. Alford breaking his hamate bone on a foul ball and Ceciliani separating his shoulder hitting a dinger.

Tulo and Donaldson are expected back this weekend. But before he leaves Tulo was seen putting on a hitting clinic for the baby Jays.



Some good news via BNS at Sportsnet. Shapiro Atkins says the Jays would be adding and winning at the trade deadline, which is something he didn't have to say but he did. So you're saying there's a chance?

The local 9 are home for the next ten games, starting on Friday, facing Texas, Cinci and closing out with the Yankees.

And some food for thought as Texas pulls into town.


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

no. 47 2017: Blue Jays (20-26) at Brewers (25-20)

https://ballparkbiz.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/milwaukee-brewers-logo.jpg

Wednesday 24 May 2017
1:10PM EDT / Miller Park
Marcus Stroman (RHP 4-2 3.00 46K) v. Matt Garza (RHP 2-0 2.43 22K)

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Monday, May 22, 2017

Party holiday weekend!


Since MLB has deemed this holiday Monday not important enough for a game, let's have a party!

This week's challenge:
Blind optimism! Or not so blind. But definitely optimism. 

Sunday, May 21, 2017

no. 45 2017: Blue Jays (18-26) at Orioles (25-16)

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/bal_1200x630.jpg

Sunday 21 May 2017
1:35PM EDT / Camden Yards
Marco Estrada (RHP 2-2 3.60 58K) v. Wade Miley (LHP 1-1 3.02 46K)

Saturday, May 20, 2017

no. 44 2017: Blue Jays (18-25) at Orioles (24-16)

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/bal_1200x630.jpg

Saturday 20 May 2017
7:35PM EDT / Camden Yards
Mike Bolsinger (RHP 0-2 6.10 7K) v. Kevin Gausman (RHP 2-3 7.19 31K)

Friday, May 19, 2017

no. 43 2017: Blue Jays (18-24) at Orioles (23-16)

http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/bal_1200x630.jpg

Friday 19 May 2017
7:05PM EDT / Camden Yards
Aaron Sanchez (RHP 0-1 2.95 14K) v. Chris Tillman (RHP 1-0 2.89 8K)

The Stro Home Run Derby Show

Thursday, May 18, 2017

no. 42 2017: Blue Jays (17-24) at Braves (16-21)

http://cliparts.co/cliparts/8cz/pqn/8czpqn5cp.jpg
Thursday 18 May 2017
7:35PM EDT / SunTrust Park
Marcus Stroman (RHP 3-2 3.33 40K) v. Julio Teheran (RHP 3-3 4.08 34K)

Baseball's unwritten rules

Image result for unwritten rules of baseball
Not sure if this is true for all the unwritten rules but baseball is an analogy for life


Wednesday, May 17, 2017

no. 41 2017: Blue Jays (17-23) at Braves (15-21)

http://cliparts.co/cliparts/8cz/pqn/8czpqn5cp.jpg
Wednesday 17 May 2017
7:35PM EDT / SunTrust Park
Joe Biagini (RHP 1-1 2.28 24K) v. Mike Foltynewicz (RHP 1-4 4.04 31K)

Debate Club


Let's have some fun.

Suggested by AJ, Breakfast Army Fan:
Discussion of interleague. AL vs NL style are old but recurring debates. Something about pitchers hitting?

Be prepared to show your work!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

no. 40 2017: Braves (14-21) at Blue Jays (17-22)

http://cliparts.co/cliparts/8cz/pqn/8czpqn5cp.jpg
Tuesday 16 May 2017
4:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Jaime Garcia (LHP 1-2 4.33 21K) v. Marco Estrada (RHP 2-2 3.12 53K)

Chris Rose and Kevin Millar are assholes


(If the embed doesn't work, click here.)

Monday, May 15, 2017

no. 39 2017: Braves (13-21) at Blue Jays (17-21)

http://cliparts.co/cliparts/8cz/pqn/8czpqn5cp.jpg
Monday 15 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Bartolo Colon (RHP 1-4 7.22 26K) v. Mike Bolsinger (RHP 0-1 3.18 4K)

Monday Poetry


5 in a row! The B team is on fire! Express your feelings in poetic form.


*Note - your poem can be freestyle. It doesn't have to rhyme. Have fun playing with sentence shapes.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

no. 38 2017: Mariners (17-20) at Blue Jays (16-21)

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/sea_1200x630.jpg

Sunday 14 May 2017
1:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Ariel Miranda (LHP 3-2 5.20 30K) v. Aaron Sanchez (RHP 0-1 4.05 10K)

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Friday, May 12, 2017

no. 36 2017: Mariners (17-18) at Blue Jays (14-21)

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/sea_1200x630.jpg

Friday 12 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Christian Bergman (RHP 0-0 2.45 2K) v. Joe Biagini (RHP 0-1 2.78 21K)

All hail the scrubs!


Who would have thunk in spring training that we'd be in mid May and our major run producers would be Pillar, Goins, Smoak and Zeke? That Danny Barnes and Joe Smith would be our most reliable bullpen arms?That Loup would be decent? (To be fair, Osuna has come around.) That Biagini would be starting?

Which of these is the most surprising? And who saw this coming? (Besides Smasher's love affair with Pillar, of course.)

Thursday, May 11, 2017

no. 35 2017: Mariners (17-17) at Blue Jays (13-21)

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/sea_1200x630.jpg

Thursday 11 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Chase De Jong (RHP 0-2 6.75 6K) v. Marco Estrada (RHP 1-2 3.14 45K)

Talk amongst yourselves



It's really late, I'm really tired, so this is all I've got.

(How about you guys writing something?)

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

no. 34 2017: Indians (18-14) at Blue Jays (12-21)

https://mlblogsindiansoffthefield.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/block_c-red_jpg.jpg
Wednesday 10 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Danny Salazar (RHP 2-3 4.28 49K) v. Francisco Liriano (LHP 2-2 4.44 30K)

Injury Report

Image result for injury

These are interesting times for your Buffalo Bisons Toronto Blue Jays baseball club.

While not the only reason the Jays are off to an absolutely shitfuck start, injuries certainly have been a major factor in the teams dismal  record. A quick review is in order, because without a list, how else are you supposed to keep track of it all?

Aaron Sanchez- Finger Blister- Till May 14th
JA Happ- Elbow- Back Mid May ( last I read might be longer)
Glenn Sparkman- Thumb- 60 day DL -unknown return
Bo Schultz-Elbow- unknown return
Kendrys Morales- Hamstring -Day to day
Russell Martin- Shoulder nerve- 10 day DL-Return Mid May?
Troy Tulowitzki-Hamstring-10 day DL- Return Mid May
Josh Donaldson- Calf Muscle- 10 Day DL- Return unknown Mid May?
Dalton Pompey- Concussion- 60 Day DL

That's over 70 million dollars of talent that's unavailable.

This doesn't include players that were on the DL earlier in the season.

Roberto Osuna- Cervical spasm
J.P Howell- Left shoulder discomfort

It should be noted that last year there were a few injuries, to regular players, that may or may not affect some of their performances.

Jose Bautista- Shoulder issues and Turf toe- It doesn't seem to be affecting him in the field. At the plate, I have no clue what's causing the problem.
Devon Travis- Shoulder issues- Again doesn't seem to be affecting him in the field. At the plate, I have no clue what's causing the problem.
Marco Estrada- Back issues- So far ( knock on wood) he's performing well and no mention of any back problems.

So how does this compare to the rest of the Major Leagues?
You can check it out here.

There have been some that have wondered, MYSELF included, why all the injuries? When the Jays have a new High Performance Department, touted to be among MLB's best, at taking care of player's health?
After reading the linked article, I don't think the problem is with preparation or the HPD. The best answer I have is:
That's baseball.

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

no. 33 2017: Indians (17-14) at Blue Jays (12-20)

https://mlblogsindiansoffthefield.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/block_c-red_jpg.jpg
Tuesday 09 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Carlos Carrasco (RHP 3-2 2.18 39K) v. Mike Bolsinger (RHP 0-0 0.00 0K)

Pillar does it again


For you to relive over and over again.

And here's the various broadcast calls (Thanks @james_in_to):

Monday, May 8, 2017

no. 32 2017: Indians (17-13) at Blue Jays (11-20)

https://mlblogsindiansoffthefield.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/block_c-red_jpg.jpg
Monday 08 May 2017
7:07PM EDT / Rogers Centre
Trevor Bauer (RHP 2-3 7.67 31K) v. Marcus Stroman (RHP 2-2 3.89 30K)

Creating a JITH Lexicon


We have our own in jokes and unwritten rules we use during games or. It's been suggested that we create a reference where newcomers can be brought up to speed. So use this post to write down items and I'll compile them into a page that will live on the sidebar. Also feel free to ask the folks who only come by during games to add on. Comments will be open for 10 days.

As an example, here's one created for the Stargate SG1 thread on TWoP (RIP).

Sunday, May 7, 2017

no. 31 2017: Blue Jays (10-20) at Rays (16-16)

Image result for tampa bay rays logo jpg

Sunday 07 May 2017
1:10PM EDT / Tropicana Field
Joe Biagini (RHP 0-1 3.38 17K) v. Alex Cobb (RHP 2-2 3.86 23K)

Saturday, May 6, 2017

no. 30 2017: Blue Jays (10-19) at Rays (15-16)

Image result for tampa bay rays logo jpg

Saturday 06 May 2017
4:10PM EDT / Tropicana Field
Marco Estrada (RHP 1-1 2.43 38K) v. Jake Odorizzi (RHP 1-1 3.50 14K)

Friday, May 5, 2017

no. 29 2017: Blue Jays (9-19) at Rays (15-15)

Image result for tampa bay rays logo jpg

Friday 05 May 2017
7:10PM EDT / Tropicana Field
Francisco Liriano (LHP 2-2 3.97 25K) v. Chris Archer (RHP 2-1 3.43 37K)

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Debate Club


Debate question for an off-day:
Should the neighbourhood play be reinstated?


Be prepared to show your work!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

no. 28 2017: Blue Jays (9-18) at Yankees (16-9)

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/nyy_1200x630.jpg
Wednesday 03 May 2017
7:05PM EDT / Yankee Stadium
Marcus Stroman (RHP 2-2 2.97 28K) v. CC Sabathia (LHP 2-1 4.34 20K)

Racism in our own backyard


With all the discussion about the racist taunting of Adam Jones at Fenway on Monday, a few people reminded us that we have comparable assholes in our midst. Jones got similar treatment at the wild card game last year. The question was raised about how we can do better.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

no. 27 2017: Blue Jays (9-17) at Yankees (15-9)


http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/images/team_logos/social_media/og_1200x630_image/nyy_1200x630.jpg


 Tuesday 02 May 2017
7:05PM EDT / Yankee Stadium
Mat Latos (RHP 0-0 3.27 5K) v. Masahiro Tanaka (RHP 3-1 4.20 22K)

3-some


Well whadda know? We've won three in a row!

Monday, May 1, 2017

no. 26 2017: Blue Jays (8-17) at Yankees (15-8)




Monday 01 May 2017
7:05PM EDT / Yankee Stadium
Marco Estrada (RHP 0-1 2.70 33K) v. Luis Severino (RHP 2-1 3.00 33K)