Game #119 Toronto Blue Jays (69-50) @ LA Dodgers (68-50) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement hit a go-ahead solo HR in the 9th as the Blue Jays held on to edge the Dodgers 5-4

After a rough loss thanks to a rough 6th inning by the bullpen and Chris Bassitt giving up a HR, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time (and 3rd season series sweep). Eric Lauer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Ty France DH'd today). Joey Loperfido was in LF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time (and 3rd season series sweep)? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr doubled scoring Bo Bichette 
• The Dodgers tied it up in the bottom half of the inning as Shohei Ohtani whacked a solo blast to right-center 
• Three batters later,  Freddie Freeman smacked a solo blast to the opposite field in left-center 
• The Dodgers added a run in the bottom of the 2nd on a bases loaded walk to Freeman that forced in Miguel Rojas
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 3IP 6H 3R (all earned) 4BB 4K 71 pitches (42 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Ty France singled scoring Bichette
•  Tyler Glasnow pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 2R (both earned) 4BB 8K 86 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 8th as Guerrero Jr. belted a solo jack to straightaway center
• A batter later, Addison Barger hammered a solo bomb to right-center
• The Dodgers tied it in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk to Freeman that forced in Alex Freeland 
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 9th as Ernie Clement whacked a solo blast to left-center 
• Mason Fluharty got the last 2 outs for his 1st save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Dodgers 4

My Take:

• Eric Lauer had a rare rough start,  giving up 3 runs on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 4. It was clear first batter that Lauer just didn't have his best stuff working for him. Then again, the way the Dodgers have been playing in this series, even Nolan Ryan might have had a tough time. With the blowouts lately, several relievers hadn't been pitching much lately so it was a fairly easy decision to pull Lauer after three innings and 71 pitches, which likely would have given him only one more inning anyway. 
• The bullpen bent and almost broke, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 9 and striking out 6. Yariel Rodriguez blew the first save opportunity in the 8th by walking in a run. Closer Jeff Hoffman, who hadn't pitched in a week due to blowouts, was clearly rusty and uncharacteristically walked 5 batters. The outbursts in the dugout from Pete Walker and John Schneider did their pitchers no favors. Also, pitchers need to be throwing strikes consistently to get close calls from the umpire and that did not happen today. Trading for Seranthony Dominguez may have been a mistake. In a playoff game, you need to be throwing strikes and Dominguez has shown some wildness in recent appearances.
• The bats came around late with Vlad, Addison Barger and Ernie Clement all going deep in the latter innings. 
• The Blue Jays were 1-5 with runners in scoring position
• The Yankees and Red Sox lost, extending the AL East lead to 4 games ahead of a tough homestand featuring the Cubs and Texas Rangers

• Up next, after an off-day tomorrow,  the Blue Jays welcome the Chicago Cubs to town as they begin a crucial homestand that could feature the Blue Jays debut of Shane Bieber. The Cubs won the season series last year,  outscoring the Blue Jays 9-8. Neither team has set their rotation for the series. 

Game #118 Toronto Blue Jays (68-50) @ LA Dodgers (68-49) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement hit a solo home run in a 9-1 loss to the Dodgers

After falling short yesterday against legendary lefty Clayton Kershaw, the Blue Jays were trying to even the series and avoid their 11th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ty France at 1B. Buddy Kennedy was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 11th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Dodgers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Max Muncy whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in left; also scoring Freddie Freeman
• The Dodgers opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th as Shohei Ohtani hammered a solo bomb to dead center
• Blake Snell pitching line: 5IP 3H 0R 3BB 10K 90 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 4.2IP 6H 3R (all earned) 2BB 2K 68 pitches (43 for strikes)
• The Dodgers added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Dalton Rushing singled scoring Andy Pages and Michael Conforto
• Two batters later, Mookie Betts singled scoring Alex Freeland and Rushing
• Four batters later Pages doubled scoring Ohtani and Betts
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Ernie Clement belted a solo jack to left-center
• Final score: Dodgers 9 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt battled through 4.2 innings,  giving up three runs on 6 hits while waking 2 and striking out 2. The Dodgers went deep on him twice for the 3 runs against. Both he and Kevin Gausman are prone to bad starts.  One might be left off an ALDS roster or asked to pitch out of the bullpen with Jose Berrios, Shane Bieber and Eric Lauer likely to be tapped to make a playoff start. For sure John Schneider and Co. wiill be closely watching the next several starts of Bassitt and Gausman to determine the playoff rotation.
• The bullpen was lit up for 6 runs on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6 over the last 3.1 innings. Seranthony Domiguez, acquired at the deadline to bolster the bullpen, uncorked 2 wild pitches and was responsible for 2 of the runs against. Yariel Rodriguez, who retired just one batter, was charged with 4 runs against. Brayden Fisher and Tommy Nance both retired every batter they faced and combined for 4 strikeouts.
• Ernie Clement broke the shutout bid with a solo HR in the 8th inning
• Baseball can be such as humbling sport. After making the Colorado Rockies look like a francise that might struggle to compete in AAA-ball, the Dodgers are making the Blue Jays look like an AAA-level team. There is a vast difference in talent between the Rockies and Dodgers and the two extremes could be a strong argument for a salary cap so there is more parity in the league and a team like the Dodgers can't buy every single significant free agent. 
• The Blue Jays received help from San Diego to keep the division lead at 3 games. Houston Also lost so they remain the 3rd best division leader and would be facing a wild card series if the playoffs started tomorrow and the Tigers and Blue Jays would have byes to the ALDS. The Blue Jays would also have home field advantage at least through the ALCS.
• The Blue Jays were 0-6 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time (and 3rd season series sweep). Eric Lauer starts against Dodgers righty Tyler Glasnow 

Game #117 Toronto Blue Jays (68-49) @ LA Dodgers (67-49) - game recap

 

Bo Bichette drove in the Blue Jays only run in a 5-1 come-from-behind loss to the Dodgers

After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays continued the road trip in LA against a Dodgers team looking to repeat as World Series champions. The Dodgers won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 17-7. Ali Sanchez was claimed was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing Wednesday (Ty France served as DH tonight). Daulton Varsho was in CF and Myles Straw was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner. Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Addison Barger singled scoring Bo Bichette
• The Dodgers took the lead in the bottom of the 5th as Mookie Betts belted a 2-2-run jack to left; also scoring Shohei Ohtani
• Clayton Kershaw pitching line: 6IP 7H 1R (earned) 1BB 4K 74 pitches (54 for strikes)
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 6IP 6H 2R (both earned) 3BB 5K 98 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Dodgers added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a fielder's choice hit by Betts that scored Alex Freeland
• Two batters later,, Ohtani was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Will Smith
• Two batters later, Betts scored on a sac fly by Teoscar Hernandez 
• Final score: Dodgers 5 Blue Jays 1

My T-ake:

• Max Scherzer threw 6 solid innings giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 5. There is really only one pitch he'll want back where Blue Jays killer Mookie Betts took him deep to give the Dodgers the lead. The Dodgers also jumped on him early, but Scherzer escaped that jam without giving up a run despite the bases being loaded. He settled down and retired 8 in a row. This is almost certainly going to be the last pitching match-up between these two future hall of famers and Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw both showed flashes of their brilliance tonight. 
• The bullpen gave up 3 runs on a hit and 3 walks while striking out 2 over the last 2 innnings. All 3 runs were charged to Brandon Little, who did not retire a batter. Mason Fluharty retired every batter he faced on 10 pitches
• Bo Bichette drove in the only Blue Jays run. Vlad extended his on-base streak to 24 games and his hitting streak to 4 games.
• The Blue Jays were 2-8 with runners in scoring position
• The lead for 1st in the AL East shrunk by a game with the Red Sox winning. The Astros also won, putting them just 3 games back of the Blue Jays for the record in the AL and home field advantage at least through the ALCS round. It won't take much for the Blue Jays to plummet to 3rd place among the division leaders, which would mean facing a wild card series, which will likely mean a wild card series vs. the Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners or Guardians
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series and avoid their 11th series loss and 4th season series loss of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Dodgers lefty Blake Snell

Game #29 - Los Angeles Dodgers (18-12) @ Toronto Blue Jays (14-15) - game recap

 

Kevin Gausman threw 7 strong innings in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers

After yet another loss due to the inept offense that could only muster 3 measly his yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 5 game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate.  George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after a compete day off yesterday.  Vlad got the half day off as DH with Justin Turner at 1B. IKF got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 5- game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season,? Here is today's game recap. 

Game #28 - Los Angeles Dodgers (18-11) @ Toronto Blue Jays (13-15) - game recap

Davis Schneider drove in a run and scored a run in a 4-2 loss to the Dodgers

After a disastrous blowout loss yesterday, the Blue Jays were trying to snap the 4-game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss and 1st season series loss of the season. Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen behindd the plate. George Springer got the complete day off with Addison Barger in RF. David Schneider got the start in LF and Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4 game skid and avoid their 3rd series loss and 1st season series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game #27 - Los Angeles Dodgers (17-11) @ Toronto Blue Jays (13-14) - game recap

 

Danny Jansen hit a solo HR in a losing effort as the Dodgers routed the Blue Jays 12-2

After a rain-shortened loss yesterday to the Royals, the Blue Jays limped home and opened a weekend set against the LA Dodgers. The series will feature Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, who signed baseball's richest deal and stealthily deferred the vast majority of it to the end of the deal. It will be interesting to see how Blue Jays fans greet Ohtani, who was said to be on a plane to Toronto, only to announce the record deal with the Dodgers on his instagram page the next day. The Blue Jays won the 2023 season against the Dodgers 2-1, outscoring the Dodgers 21-12. Chris Bassitt got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. Addison Barger was in LF and IKF got the start at the hot corner. Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and start the weekend with a win? Here is tonught's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Dodgers opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Shohei Ohtani whacked a solo blast to right-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 3rd as Freddie Freeman singled scoring Mookie Betts
• A batter later, Will Smith singled scoring Ohtani
• A batter later, Max Muncy hammered a 3-run bomb to right; Also scoring Freeman and Smith
• Four batters later, Gavin Lux singled home Teoscar Hernandez
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 2.2IP 9H 7R (all earned) 3BB 4K 77 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 4th as Smith smacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen\
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Danny Jansen drilled a solo jack to left
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 5th as Betts doubled scoring Andy Pages
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 6th as Muncy singled scoring Smith. Cavan Biggio was charged with a throwing error on the play
• Three batters later, Muncy scored on a sac fly by Pages
• Gavin Stone pitching line: 7IP 2H 1R (earned) 2BB 2K 94 pitches (58 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a ground out hit by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that scored Biggio
• The Dodgers added a run in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Smith that scored Miguel Rojas 
• Final score: Dodgers 12 Blue Jays 2

 My Take:

• Chris Bassitt was lit up for 7 runs on 9 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4 over just 2.2 innings. Shohei Ohtani taking Bassitt yard (more on that later) seemed to set the tone for the game and the rest of Bassitt's start today. He simply wasn't fooling the Dodgers hitters. The season for Basstt has not exactly been what 2023 was for him. Bassitt was lit up in his first start of the season last year and followed that rough start up with 4 consecutive quality starts and 3 wins. He struggled through 5 innings his first 2 starts this season, pitched three straight quality starts and then ran into tonight's disaster. The Blue Jays need Bassitt to figure it out because there are major injury and performance concerns in AAA with Rickey Tiederman potentially done for the year with an elbow injury and Alek Manoah has certainly not earned another shot at the big leagues.
• The bullpen gave up a further 5 runs on 10 hits while walking 2 and striking out 3 over the last 6.1 innings. There were no sucesses for any of the relievers. There has to be concern about the health of Erik Swanson, who received a visit from trainer Jose Ministral
• Back to the martyr of the night, Shohei Ohtani, who must be thanking his lucky stars that he picked the Dodgers over the Blue Jays in free agency. The team he was facing tonight very much resembled the one he left in free agency tonight, a lone offensive highlight (solo HR by Danny Jansen) followed by mostly disappointment from the rest of the lineup. Time and time again, year after year, Ohtani endured being the star in Anaheim and one of the lone offensive threats. He clearly wanted to experience success after never making the playoffs once in 6 tries with the Angels. It must have felt so good to shut up the Blue Jays fans by going deep in the 1st inning.
• The Blue Jays were 1-7 with runners in scoring position.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 4-game skid  and avoid their 4th series loss of the season and their 1st season series loss. Yusei Kikuchi starts against Dodgers righty Tyler Glasnow 

Game #103 - Toronto Blue Jays (57-46) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (58-43) - game recap

 

Whit Merrifield scored twice and drove in 4 runs in an 8-1 rout over the Dodgers

After an ugly loss that saw the bullpen blow a 4- run 9th inning lead,  the Blue Jays were looking to end this west coast swing on a winning note while notching their 20th series win of the season and 11th season series win, the Blue Jays acquired infielder Mason Mccoy from the Mariners in exchange for reliever Trent Thornton.  McCoy is batting .234 with 11HR and 55RBI in 329AB over 87 games in AAA-ball. Thornton had a 1.69ERA in 4 appearances this season. Over 5 seasons as a Blue Jay,  Thornton was 7-14 with a 4.77 ERA in 108 appearances (35 starts). Yusei Kikuchi got the start with Danny Jansen back behind the plate after missing a couple of days after getting hit on his catching hand in Seattle. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after a complete day off yesterday. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Cavan Biggio was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays end the road trip with a win and get their 20th series win of the season and 11 season series win? Here is today's game recap. 

Game #130 Toronto Blue Jays (52-78) @ LA Dodgers (85-44) - game recap

Jacob Waguespack threw 7 shutout innings in a losing effort as the LA Dodgers came from behind in the 9th to edge the Blue Jays 3-2

As expected, the Blue Jays lost the first two games of this series to the juggernaut LA Dodgers, who may be the best all-around team in the majors. The first game wasn't close (a 19-3 drubbing that saw all the big bats in the Dodgers lineup come up big. Russell Martin even played the final 2 innings at 3B and got 2AB. Richard Urena pitched the 8th for the Blue Jays. The second game was much closer and included a blown save by Kenley Jansen off an unlikely HR by Rowdy Tellez. Tonight, The Blue Jays turned to Jacob Waguespack to try and avoid the series sweep and halt the 4-game losing streak. Vlad was back in the starting lineup after most of the day off yesterday, except for 2AB's and 1 2 innings in the field. Ken Giles was placed on paternity leave with  Danny Jansen was also back behind the plate after a complete day off yesterday. Rowdy Tellez got his second straight start at 1B, presumably as a reward for the last gasp heroics to briefly delay the loss. Could the Blue Jays escape LA with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game #129 Toronto Blue Jays (52-77) @ LA Dodgers (84-44) - game recap

Max Muncy hit a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 10th as the Dodgers edged the Blue Jays 2-1

After a thorough beat down against one of the premier pitchers and top starter of this decade (hat tip to Tom Jackson on the leg work) Clayton Kershaw and the juggernaut offence that features Cody Bellinger, who is neck and neck with Christian Yelich for the NL MVP this season, and Joc Pederson, who faced off against Vlad in the HR derby this year in an epic round that featured a COMBINED 79 HR between two of the better young guns in the game that Vlad narrowly won when he hit 2 in 3 tries in the second OT round. Tonight, the Dodgers sent one of the game's best young righties in Walker Buehler to the mound. Buehler is 10-3 on the season with a 3.31 ERA. The Blue Jays had their second straight bullpen day with Wilmer Font serving as the opener, with Sammy G expected to pitch next. A few lineup changes for tonight. Vlad was given the day off after facing Kershaw yesterday (perhaps playing him yesterday wasn't wise, but then again I don't trust the HPD/Training staff with a paper cut). Billy McKinney also got the start in LF, in place of Derek Fisher, who homered off Kershaw last night. Rowdy Tellez got the start at 1B (it will be interesting to see in the final 6 weeks of the season how Montoyo splits the starts at 1B. Personally, I think Tellez should get more of the starts, but he has to play well and earn the playing time). Finally, Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate after Danny Jansen had a long day behind the plate with the Dodgers pummeling the relievers last night. Will the Blue Jays have better luck against Buehler? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game #128 Toronto Blue Jays (52-76) @ LA Dodgers (83-44) - game recap

Cody Bellinger was 2-3 with 2 runs scored and 3RBI in a 16-3 rout over the Blue Jays 

The Blue Jays kicked off their final west coast swing and final interleague series of the season tonight against one of the favorites for the World Series this year in the LA Dodgers. Tonight, Blue Jays batters faced lefty Clayton Kerhaw, who remains one of the premier pitchers in the MLB. He brings a 12-2 record with a solid 2.63ERA into tonight's game. The Blue Jays have opted to go with lefty Buddy Boshers as an "opener" with righty Sean Reid-Foley pitching the bulk of the innings tonight. Vlad was in the lineup after sitting out the finale of the homestand Sunday. Cavan Biggio got the day off with Brandon Drury getting the start at 2nd base. Could the Blue Jays beat one of the best pitchers in the game? Here is tonight's game recap.