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| Andres Gimenez hit a 2-run HR in a 12-2 loss to the Orioles to snap a 5-game opening day win streak |
The Blue Jays kicked off the 2025 season against their division rivals the Baltimore Orioles. The Blue Jays will be looking to improve on a dreadful 2024 season that saw them finish last in the AL East with a 74-88 record. The Blue Jays came into today's game with a 25-20 record on openig day and were looking to extend their opening dsy streak. The Blue Jays were 39-42 at home last season. The Orioles won the season series 7-6, outscoring the Blue Jays 75-51 last season. Newcomer Anthony Santander (LF) will be looking to add some pop to the lineup. Andre Gimenez will strengthen the infield defense and give the Blue Jays stability at 2B. Alan Roden will make his big league debut in CF today (he and Nathan Lukes will likely platoon in CF until Daultom Varsho is ready to play. Jose Berrios got his 3rd opening day start in the last 4 seasons with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Bo Bichette opened the season as the leadoff hitter. George Springer was in his customary CF position and bashed 6th in the lineup behind Kirk. Alan Roden made his regular season MLB debut in RF and free agent slugger Anthony Santander made his blue jays debut in LF. Andres Gimenez made his Blue Jays debut batting cleanup. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays open the season with a win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Orioles opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Adley Rutschman hammered a solo bomb to right-center
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 2nd as Cedric Mullins singled scoring Tyler
- The Orioles added three runs in the top of the 3rd as O'Neill smacked a 3- run blast to the opposite field in right and into the Orioles bullpen, also scoring Colton Cowser and Rutschman
- The Orioles added a run in the top of the 4th as Mullins belted a solo jack to right-center
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as Andres Gimenez drilled a 2- run bomb to right- center, also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 5IP 9H 6R (all earned) 2BB 5K 90 pitches (59 for strikes)
- Zach Eflin pitching line: 6IP 2H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 78 pitches (49 for strikes)
- The Orioles added 3 runs in the top of the 7th as Mullins drilled a 3- run bomb to right- center; also scoring O'Neill and Ryan Mountcastle
- The Orioles added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Rutschman annihilated a 2-run bomb to the 2md deck in right; also scoring Jackson Holiday
- A batter later, Jordan Westburg hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Final score: Orioles 12 Blue Jays 2
My Take:
- Jose Berrios had a rough outing, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits while walking 2 and striking out 5 over 5 innings. The Orioles took him deep 3 times and he dealt with multiple base runners every inning. Could he have been too hyped up for this start, being at home for the first time in 2 years? The last time he had a rough opening day start was in 2022 at the Roger's Center. He had a better opening day start on the road in Tampa Bay last year.
- The bullpen gave up 6 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3 over the last 4 innings. Righty Nick Sandin was the only reliever to retire eery batter he faced
- Offensively, Andres Gimenez gave the Blue Jays their only 2 runs, going yard for 2 runs. How many fans had Gimenez hitting the first Blue Jays home run of 2025?
- Bo Bichette was 0-4 in the leadoff spot. Might George Springer get the opportunity tomorrow? I personally think Bichette is more suited in the number 2 spot in the lineup. I would also move Vlad and Santander down a spot each
- Apparrently spring training really has no bearing on the regular season. The Blue Jays were terrific in spring training and then had this clunker on opening day. Of course, baseball is the only league where the playing dimensions differ stadium to stadium and the spring training facilities differ from regular season dimensions. Also, there were three full days off after the last spring training game on Sunday.
- Here's hoping the Vlad not signing a long-term deal doesn't become a major distraction that ultimately affects both his and the team's performance.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series. Kevin Gausman starts against Orioles righty Charlie Morton
