Jays in the House: May 2018

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Game #56 Toronto Blue Jays (25-31) @ Boston Red Sox (39-17) - game recap

Eduardo Nunez was 2-4 with 2 RBI and a run scored as the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 6-4 to sweep the three game series

After dropping the first 2 games of the series by identical 8-3 scores, the Blue Jays turned to spot starter Sam Gaviglio who had a great start last Saturday in Philadephia. By the way this was the last game of May and the best the Blue Jays could finish was 10-18. Here is today's game recap.

No one made a thread again and I am at work so this is all you get. Lets try to catch some routine fly balls today to limit the damage.

Game #55 Toronto Blue Jays (25-30) @ Boston Red Sox (38-17) - game recap

Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon was 3-4 at the plate with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored as the Blue Jays lost 8-3 to the Red Sox for the second straight game.

Tuesday 29 May 2018

7:10PM EDT / Pinball Machine / Boston MA

Marco Estrada (RHP2-5, 5.40 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 41 Ks)
v. Rick Porcello (RHP 6-2, 3.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 65 Ks)

Game #54 Toronto Blue Jays (25-29) @ Boston Red Sox (37-17) - game recap

Red Sox LF Andrew Benintendi was 3-5 at the plate with 4 RBI and finished a double shy of the cycle as the Red Soz defeated the Blue Jays 8-3

After a huge series win on the weekend, the Blue Jays look to continue their winning ways with a series against the Bosox. Toronto is also looking to win consecutive games for the first time since April 29-May 1. Russell Martin is playing his 4th position this season. He has started at catcher, third base, shortstop and now left field. Will we see him at first base tomorrow? Here is today's game recap.

I am at work but the game starts in 2 minutes and I see no one made a thread. I dont have time to get all the pitcher stats so use your imagination! I assume the Blue Jays stats are bad and the Red Sox stats are good.

Two months of the MLB season are almost in the books. May has been an utter disaster for the Blue Jays. They have not won consecutive games all month and they have won just 2 series all month (April 29-May 1st vs. the Twins and this past weekend against Philadelphia). With just 3 games left in the month, the Blue Jays will be below .500 for the month of May and the best they can do with their over all record is be at .500 if they sweep Boston. Here are ten random thoughts from the 8th week of the MLB season.

Game #53 Toronto Blue Jays (25-28) @ Philadelphia Phillies (29-21) - game recap

Devon Travis was 2-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI as the Blue Jays defeated the Phillies 5-3 to take the series win.

The Blue Jays were looking to secure just their second series win this month, the first with the series beginning in April. The Blue Jays fielded a lineup where only starting pitcher JA Happ was batting above .300. Here is today's game recap

Sunday May 27, 2018

1:35PM EDT / Citizens Bank Park / Philadelphia

J.A. Happ ( 6-3, 3.97 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 71K)

v Nick Pivetta ( 4-2, 3.23 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 60 K)

Game #52 Toronto Blue Jays (24-28) @ Philadelphia Phillies (29-20) - game recap

Philadelphia Phillies pinch hitter Nick Williams hit the game winning HR as the Phillies edged the Blue Jays 2-1 in a classic pitcher's duel

After a nervous 6-5 victory last night, the Blue Jays were looking for their first win streak since April 29-May 1st and their first series win since taking 2 of 3 in Minnesota April 30-May 2. Since then, the Blue Jays have been hit by injuries and the arrest of Roberto Osuna three weeks ago has had a detrimental effect on the team, especially the bullpen. The Blue Jays bullpen has blown 2 of 3 save opportunities since Osuna was put on administrative leave by the MLB and they nearly blew the one last night too as Ryan Tepera was able to escape a bases loaded jam with 1 out. Here is today's game recap.

Saturday May 26, 2018

4:05PM EDT / Citizens Bank Park / Philadelphia

Jamie Garcia (2-3, 6.28 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 38 K)

v. Aaron Nola (6-2, 2.37 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 57 K)

Game #51 Toronto Blue Jays (24-27) @ Philadelphia Phillies (28-20) - game recap

Justin Smoak was 2-4 at the plate, including a big 2 run HR as the Blue Jays defeated the Phillies 5-4

More interleague play! The Blue Jays are 1-1 after identical 12-1 scoresvs. the Mets a couple weeks back. The Phillies are surging with a 28-19 record heading into this one. The Blue Jays are slowly getting healthy again. Jaime Garcia will make his start Saturday after missing a turn with a tight forearm. Randal Grichuk and Aledmys Diaz look not much further behind him. The Blue Jays are looking to get back on track after a rough 1 win in 7 games home stand. Here is tonight's game recap.

Friday May 25, 2018

7:05PM EDT / Citizens Bank Park / Philadelphia

Sam Gaviglio (1-0, 0.93 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 12 K)

v. Zach Eflin (1-0, 1.56 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 17 K)

Game #50 Los Angeles Angels (28-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (23-27) - game recap

Albert Pujols was 2-5 at the plate, including a solo HR and 2 RBI as the Angels routed the Blue Jays 8-1.

After an ugly game last night where Tyler Clippard blew the save opportunity, the Blue Jays were hoping to end the disastrous home stand, where they won 1 of 6 games heading into today's matinee. Here is today's game recap.

Artist's rendition of last night's 9th inning.

Thursday, May 24, 2018 | 12:37 pm

Rogers Centre | Toronto, Ontario

Nick Tropeano (RHP, 1-3, 4.45) vs. Marco Estrada (RHP, 2-4, 5.15)

Game #49 Los Angeles Angels (27-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (23-26) - game recap

Angels SS Andrelton Simmons was 2-5 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a run scored. He also made a huge diving catch as the Angels came from behind to beat the Blue Jays 5-4

April 29-May 1, the last time the Blue Jays had a multiple game winning streak. A win tonight would have also meant the first series win in May. Heading into tonight's game, the Blue Jays had an abysmal 7-13 record in the month of May. On that happy note, here is tonight's game recap

Yep, their first ballpark in L.A. was indeed called 'Wrigley Field'

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 7:07 pm

Rogers Centre | Toronto, Ontario

Tyler Skaggs (3-3, 2.88) vs. Aaron Sanchez (2-4, 4.47)

PREAMBLE:

Hooray, the Jays snapped an ugly losing streak last night by piling up five runs in the first inning and then fending off the Angels the rest of the way to hold on for a 5-3 victory. J.A. Happ turned in a sorely-needed excellent outing to record the victory and then Ryan Tepera and Tyler Clippard closed the door.

Aaron Sanchez is 0-1, 3.24 in two career starts against the Angels. His counterpart, Tyler Skaggs, is 2-2, 3.86 in four career starts against the Blue Jays.

Can the Blue Jays avoid getting bludgeoned right into the ground by a Trout-led squad hell-bent on securing revenge for last night's loss? Stay tuned!

Game #48 Los Angeles Angels (26-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (23-25) - game recap

Blue Jays DH Kendrys Morales was 2-3 at the plate, including a big 2 run HR as the Blue Jays defeated the Angels 5-3 to snap a 4 game losing streak

After a difficult 4 game sweep at the hands of the Oakland A's, the Blue Jays were looking to get back on track against the Angels tonight. Devon Travis was back in the Blue Jays lineup after a stint in the minors to try and get out of his slump. Here is tonight's game recap.

Tuesday, May 22th, 2018

7:07 EDT / Skydome / Toronto, Ontario
Garrett Richards (4-2, 3.47 ERA) v. JA Happ (5-3, 4.15 ERA)

Ten weekly random thoughts: week 7: May 14-20

Two wins in ten games. This is the Blue Jays current situation after being swept by the A's, and winning single games in series vs the Red Sox and the Mets recently. The Blue Jays next three series are against Shohei Ohtani and the Angels, the surging Philadephia Phillies, who are 27-17 after Sundays games and the Boston Red Sox. On that happy note, here are ten random thoughts from week 7 of the MLB.

Game #47 Oakland A's (25-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-25) - game recap

Marcus Simien was 3-4 at the plate with a home run and 3 RBI as the A's routed the Blue Jays 9-2 and swept the 4-game series

Here we go again, the Blue Jays are trying to avoid being swept for the first time this season. It seems that this has been the case a lot the past few weeks. Yesterday, the Blue Jays bullpen blew a 4-0 lead in the top of the 8th inning. Today the Blue Jays face a pitcher who has been pitching well of late and held the Red Sox to 2 runs over 6 innings in his last start. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays send Joe Biagini to the mound. He has yet to show he can pitch past the 5th inning. Here is today's game recap.

Sunday, May 20th, 2018

1:07 EDT / Skydome / Toronto, Ontario
Daniel Mengden (3-4, 3.75 ERA) v. Joe Biagini (0-2, 7.98 ERA)

Game #46 Oakland A's (24-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-24) - game recap

Oakland A's Chad Pinder hit a grand slam as the A's defeated the Blue Jays 5-4

Saturday, May 19th, 2018

1:07 EDT / Skydome / Toronto, Ontario

Sean Manaea (5-4, 2.35 ERA) v. Sam Gaviglio (1-0, 2.08 ERA)

Game #45 Oakland A's (23-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-23) - game recap

Dustin Fowler was 2-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs scored as the A's defeated the Blue Jays 3-1

After a rough game yesterday where the Blue Jays couldn't take advantage of a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the 8th where one swing would have tied the game, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series at one heading into the weekend. News came out today that Jaime Garcia was headed to the DL with a left forearm issue. This makes tonight's start by Estrada even more important to get deep into the game with two spot starts needed over the next three days, More than likely Joe Biagini will get one start and either Deck McGuire or Sam Gaviglio will start the other game. Here is today's game recap.

Friday, May 18th, 2018

7:07 EDT / Skydome / Toronto, Ontario

Brett Anderson (0-2, 8.16 ERA) v. Marco Estrada (2-3, 5.32 ERA)

Game #44 Oakland A's (22-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (22-22) - game recap

Khris Davis was 4-4 at the plate with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored as the A's doubled up on the Blue Jays 10-5

The Blue Jays began a four game series against the Oakland A's tonight. Last season, the Blue Jays swept the 4 game series at the Roger's Center. Teoscar Hernandez was not in the lineup tonight due to a back injury suffered yesterday in NY. More came out today on the allegations against Roberto Osuna. He is still on administrative leave and will make his first court appearance June 18. Here is today's game recap.

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

7:07 EDT / Skydome / Toronto, Ontario

Andrew Triggs (3-1, 5.31 ERA) v. Aaron Sanchez (2-3, 4.08 ERA)

Game #43 Toronto Blue Jays (22-21) @ New York Mets (20-19) - game recap

JA Happ pitched seven solid innings and was 2-3 at the plate with a pair of singles and a pair of runs scored as the Blue Jays routed the New York Mets

This was an important game for a couple of reasons. First, the Blue Jays were hoping to avoid falling below .500 for the first time since March 31. Second, the Blue Jays were looking to avoid beiing swept in a series for the first time this season. They had to do it in rainy conditions. Here is today's game recap.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 | 1:10 pm | Citi Field, Flushing, NY

J.A. Happ (4-3, 4.80) vs. Zack Wheeler (2-2, 5.03)

PREAMBLE:

Welcome to today's "Get it over with and go home" game threat for the Blue Jays as we watch them mail it in and get swept by the Mets! The Blue Jays have fallen to the .500 mark after last night's thumping and face the prospect of leaving NY at a game under .500, a mark they haven't been at since the calendar was still showing 'March'.

Quick, what's the number for Slumpbusters? "Who ya gonna call? Slumpbusters!"

Mets CF Juan Lagares was 4-5 at the plate with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored as the Mets routed the Blue Jays 12-2

After a 90 minute rain delay, the Blue Jays and Mets kicked off interleague play for the 2 ball clubs. The last time the Blue Jays and Mets played each other was in 2015 when the Blue Jays won 2 of 3 games at the Rogers Center. RA Dickey won the rubber match, taking a 3-hitter into the 8th inning. We roughed up Bartolo Colon for 7 runs on 9 hits in 4.1 innings. Drew Hutchinson shut out the Mets in the second game. Can the Blue Jays win this series? Here is today's game recap.

#42 - Toronto Blue Jays (21-20) vs. New York Mets (19-18)

Tuesday, May 15th | 7:10 pm | Citi Field | Flushing, NY

Jaime Garcia (2-2, 5.40) vs. Thor Syndergaard (2-1, 3.09)

ten random thoughts week 6 May 7-13

The Blue Jays are a quarter of the way through the season. They have dealt with some adversity this week with news of the arrest of closer Roberto Osuna and that starter Marcus Stroman is headed to the DL with a fatigued shoulder. Here are 10 random thoughts from week 6 of the MLB.

Game #41 Boston Red Sox (28-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (21-20) - game recap

JD Martinez was 2-3 at the plate with 3 RBI and a run scored as the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 5-3 to take their second straight series win vs. Toronto

Happy Mother's day everyone. The Blue Jays play for some-one special today -- their mothers. The Red Sox and Blue Jays split the opening two games of this series. The Blue Jays can even the season series with a win. Here is today's game recap.

Sunday, May 13, 2018 | 1:07 pm | Rogers Centre, Toronto

Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 5.23) vs. Joe Biagini (0-1, 8.10)

Game #40 Boston Red Sox (27-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (21-19) - game recap

Andrew Benintendi was 3-5 at the plate with 2 RBI and a run scored as the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 5-2.

The Blue Jays came into this one looking to beat old friend and teammate David Price. The win was also important to keep pace with the surging NY Yankees who came into Saturday's game on an 18-4 run. The Blue Jays have to keep pace with the Yankees and Red Sox if they want to contend for a Wild Card spot. Here is today's game recap.

I know the game isn't at Fenway, but the principle stands

Saturday, May 12th | 4:07 pm | Rogers Centre | Toronto, Ontario

David Price (2-4, 5.11) vs. Marco Estrada (2-2, 5.21)

PREAMBLE:

On Friday, the Blue Jays surprised a fair number of people by outlasting Chris Sale and his 15 strikeouts, gradually chipping away at him for three runs before they went into extras and then walked it off on a Luke Maile two-run HR.

Today, old buddies Marco Estrada and David Price go head-to-head on the mound. More on the connection between these two further down in this threat.

After opening the season with two scoreless 7-inning outings against the Rays, Price has gone 1-4 with an 8.22 ERA and an opponent slash line of .309/.394/.543 since then in five starts. The Jays need to strike while the iron's hot and take advantage of a sub-par Price.

NOTES:

Remember when many of us here were clamoring for some SP signings during the free agency period? Well, the cream of the free agent pitching class of 2017, namely Yu Darvish, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn and Jason Vargas, have combined for a record of 1-13 with a 7.81 ERA. They're earning $57 million as a group this year. In that light, Jaime Garcia looks like an astute signing by Shatkins.

Your Blue Jays OPS+ leaders so far:
1. Luke Maile 156
2. Curtis Granderson 151
3. Kevin Pillar 138
4. Yangervis Solarte 121
4. Teoscar Hernandez 121

Donaldson is at 110 and Smoak is at 101, so considering the rotation woes and the slow start of these two, I'd say it looks pretty positive for the rest of the season as the rotation and Dosh won't be this underperforming all season.

Hands up if you called Maile, Grandy, Pillar and Solarte to all outperform Donaldson and Smoak so far. Yeah right, put yer hands down.

Curtis Granderson has come out with a cool shirt to raise funds for his Grand Kids foundation. Awesome idea.

Grandy Man 🇨🇦 CAN t-shirts now on-sale! 100% of proceeds will benefit my #GrandKids Foundation. Available online (https://t.co/H9W0cTQk4n) & at @bluejays team stores at Gate 1, 5 and Eaton Centre! Tag me in your photos and include #GrandyManCan so I can like & share your posts! pic.twitter.com/9HhMi3jzo2
— Curtis Granderson (@cgrand3) May 12, 2018

From Kaitlyn McGrath at The Athletic: "I really like this robe": Marco Estrada remains sole devotee to the Blue Jays robes of 2015

Just makes today's pitching matchup all the more interesting knowing about this link between Estrada and Price.

THE LINEUPS:

Friday, May 11, 2018

Game #39 Boston Red Sox (26-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (21-18) - game recap

Luke Maile hit the game-tying and game-winning home runs as the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 5-3 in 12 innings tonight

After a difficult three game series vs. the Mariners where either the pitching and/or the offence sputtered, the Blue Jays started a three game set tonight vs the Bosox. They were facing ace Chris Sale tonight, who went six innings vs. the Blue Jays in April. Could the Blue Jays prevail tonight? Here is today's game recap.

Friday May 11, 2018

7:07PM EDT / da Dome / Toronto

Chris Sale (3-1, 2.02 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 63 K)
v. Aaron Sanchez (2-3, 4.14 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 28 K)

Game #38 Seattle Mariners (21-15) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-18) - game recap

Kyle Seagar had a pair of HR, including a grad slam as the Mariners routed the Blue Jays 9-3

After a nice late inning rally yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking for the series win vs. the Mariners. The Blue Jays most reliable starter, JA Happ was on the mound. Could he lead the team to victory? Here is today's game recap.

Thursday 10 May 2018

7:07PM EDT / da Dome / Toronto

Mike Leake (3-3, 6.28 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 26 K)
v. JA Happ (4-2, 3.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 53 K)

Game #37 Seattle Mariners (20-15) @ Toronto Blue Jays (20-17) - game recap

Teoscar Hernandez was 3-4 at the plate and finished a triple shy of the cycle as the Blue Jays defeated the Mariners 5-2 to even the 3 game series at 1

No question, the Blue Jays were looking for better results after being no-hit by James Paxton last night. So much happened internally yesterday with the Roberto Osuna arrest and Aledmys Diaz being placed on the DL, it was no surprise the team was out of sorts last night. It was a new day today and time to reset and focus on baseball. Here is today's game recap.

Wednesday 9 May 2018

7:07PM EDT / da Dome / Toronto

Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 3.57 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 15 K)
v. Jamie Garcia (2-2, 6.00 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 32 Ks)

Game #36 Seattle Mariners (20-14) @ Toronto Blue Jays (19-17) - game recap

Canadian James Paxton threw a no-hitter as the Seattle Mariners defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 5-0

The Blue Jays started a 6 game home stand tonight vs. the Seattle Mariners. Canadian James Paxton was on the mound for the Mariners. Unfortunately Blue Jays fans will not see Ichiro this series, who is transitioning to the front office in a consulting role. Closer Roberto Osuna will be away from the team for the foreseeable future after he was placed on administrative leave for a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. Finally, Aledmys Diaz was placed on the 10 day DL with that sprained ankle. He'll likely be out until the end of the month. Here is today's game recap.

The Blue Jays are set to face off against Canadian James Paxton, who looked somewhat OK in his last start.

Ten weekly random thoughts: Week 5 Apr 30-May 5

The calendar has turned to May, the second full month of the MLB season. The Blue Jays had a busy week of games with a double header against Cleveland sandwiched between 2 three game series against Minnesota and Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays will be in a dog fight in the AL East with the Yankees and Red Sox looking strong the past 2 weeks. Here are 10 random thoughts from week 5 of the MLB.

Game #35 Toronto Blue Jays (19-16) @ Tampa Bay Rays (15-17) - game recap

Kevin Pillar was 2-4 at the plate and scored the game winning run with some heads up base running on a wild pitch as the Blue Jays avoided a sweep with a 2-1 victory over the Rays

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Monday, May 28, 2018

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Friday, May 25, 2018

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Monday, May 21, 2018

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Friday, May 18, 2018

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Monday, May 14, 2018

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Friday, May 11, 2018

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

Sunday, May 6, 2018