Game #13 Toronto Blue Jays (5-8) @ Boston Red Sox (6-9) - game recap

 

Matt Shoemaker threw 6 strong innings in a losing effort as the Red Sox walked off the Blue Jays 5-3

About 15 hours after edging the Red Sox after scraping two runs across the board (one each in the 7th and 8th) the Blue Jays were back in action, looking for their first series win of the season. Matt Shoemaker made his 3rd start of the season. He had a 3-1 record vs. Boston in 4 games (3 starts) heading into the matinee today. Vlad was back in the field after a half game off, serving as the DH last night. Rowdy Tellez was the DH today. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Mitch Moreland crushed a solo blast to dead center 
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Cavan Biggio smashed a solo bomb to straightaway center and into the Red Sox bullpen
• The Red Sox retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a throwing error by Matt Shoemaker that allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. to score
• The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Teoscar Hernandez
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 6th as Bo Bichette lined a solo blast to right-center and into the Red Sox bullpen
• The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Rafael Devers hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
• Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 10K 91 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Matt Shoemaker pitching line: 6IP 3H 3R (2 earned) 0BB 6K 89 pitches (59 for strikes) 
• The Red Sox won it in the bottom of the 9th on a 2-run bomb by Moreland that also scored Bogaerts 
• Final score: Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Finally, a Blue Jays starter pitched more than 5 innings! Matt Shoemaker threw 6 strong innings, just three mistakes (2 that left the yard and one that was his fault when he threw the ball wide left of Bo Bichette and into center field). He's been the Blue Jays most consistent starter so far this season
• The balls were flying out of the yard for both teams. Six of the eight runs today came off home runs. 
• After a hot start to the season, Cavan Biggio's average has dipped below .200
• Way too many strikeouts today. Every Blue Jay except Biggio struck out at least once today. Travis Shaw, Randal Grichuk and Travis Shaw all struck out three times
• Up next, the Blue Jays finally return to Buffalo where they will play their home games for the season. They open up a two-game series against Miami on Tuesday (assuming they don't screw up again and get a bunch of players sick). Hyun-jin Ryu gets the start Tuesday, looking for his second win in a Blue Jays uniform. The Marlins will counter with righty Elieser Hernandez

Game #12 Toronto Blue Jays (5-7) @ Boston Red Sox (5-9) - game recap

Bo Bichette got on base three times and drove in the tying run as the Blue Jays edged the Red Sox 2-1

Blue Jays fans got their first look at Chase Anderson, who started the year on the 10 day IL. He was activated today to make his Blue Jays debut. Vlad moved down to sixth in the batting lineup and was DH'ing today. Rowdy Tellez swapped batting order spots with Teoscar Hernandez and was at first base tonight. Travis Shaw batted 3rd in the batting order today. Could the Blue Jays snap the two game losing streak? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Christian Vasquez singled home Xander Bogaerts
• Chase Anderson pitching line: 3IP 1H 1R (earned) 2BB 1K 45 pitches (26 for strikes)
• Zack Godley pitching line: 4IP 3H 0R 2BB 3K 67 pitches (41 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 7th as Bo Bichette doubled scoring Randal Grichuk
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 8th on a groundout by Rowdy Tellez that scored Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
• Anthony Bass pitched a perfect 9th for his 3rd save of the season
• final score: Blue Jays 2 Red Sox 1

My Take:

• Chase Anderson pitched three solid innings. As he was coming off an injury, he was limited to 3 innings or ~50 pitches (he threw 45 pitches). After getting through the 1st inning on 11 pitches, Anderson walked the first two batters he faced in the 2nd inning, followed by a run-scoring single. He then induced a double play and got Jackie Bradley Jr. to fly out to left. He then got through the third inning on just 5 pitches. Overall, a solid first outing of the season for the righty.
• Once again, the Blue Jays manufactured their runs through a bit of small ball. The winning run became possible when Gurriel Jr. hustled from 1st to 3rd on a 1 out single by Grichuk.
• The bullpen continues to have an excellent week, allowing just 5 base runners over the final 6 innings. Anthony Kay fired 3.1 shutout innings. Thankfully the next off-day is after tomorrow's game because the bullpen has been used a lot in the early going
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the mammoth road trip with a matinee at Fenway. Matt Shoemaker is back on the bump, looking to rebound from a rough outing in Atlanta on Monday. He'll face Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi

Game #11 Toronto Blue Jays (4-7) @ Atlanta Braves (5-8) - game recap

 

After dropping 2 of 3 in Atlanta, the Blue Jays travelled north to Boston, their last stop on a ridiculously long four-city 14 game road trip (two of the games for all intents and purposes was a home game in Washington as the Blue Jays had last AB) that started in Tampa Bay, then went to Washington, then was supposed to go to Philly but was wiped out by COVID-19, then went to Atlanta and finally Boston. The Blue Jays won their only exhibition game in Boston two weeks ago. Since that game, the Red Sox and Blue Jays have struggled in the temporary divisions. The two division rivals are pretty much tied for dead last in the AL East (Boston and Toronto have 4 wins each, but Boston has played a couple more games and have 2 more losses). A big issue for the Blue Jays has been a lack of offence. Their starting pitching has been fine, though it would be nice if the starters could pitch an extra inning or two per start. So far, the starting pitchers have pitched more than 5 innings just once. Tanner Roark was looking to become the second starter to pitch past the 5th tonight. Cavan Biggio was back at 2B after a start in RF last night. Vlad was also back at first base after serving as DH last night (Rowdy Tellez was the DH tonight). Finally Teoscar Hernandez was in RF after a day off last night. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after a night off last night Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Cavan Biggio led off the game with an opposite-field shot over the green monster 
• The Red Sox answered back in the bottom half of the inning on a bases loaded walk to Mitch Moreland that forced in Andrew Benintendi
• The Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Alex Verdugo smashed a solo blast to left and over the green monster 
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette doubled home Biggio
• The Red Sox retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Moreland smacked a two-run bomb to right also scoring Xander Bogaerts
• Nate Pearson pitching line: 3IP 3H 4R (all earned) 5BB 1K 68 pitches (41 for strikes)
• Ryan Weber pitching line: 3IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 64 pitches (39 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Rowdy Tellez. Guerrero was thrown out at 3rd, trying to stretch the double into a triple
• The Red Sox added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Verdugo absolutely clobbered one, almost out of the ballpark over the green monster 
• Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save of the season
• Final score: Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• It wasn't a stellar game for either starting pitcher. Tanner Roark did not have his best stuff tonight, issuing 5 walks, 2 HR and 4 runs total. You have to wonder if so much extra time off is affecting the pitchers this week. For the 10th time in 12 games, the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays failed to get past the 5th inning. In fact, Roark barely made it through three innings and Jacob Waguespack was throwing in the 2nd inning. Ryan Borucki got up and threw in the 3rd inning, before coming into the game to start the 4th.
• Cavan Biggio had a strong game, getting on base 3 times, including a leadoff HR
• Teoscar Hernandez continues to swing a hot stick, getting 2 more hits 
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to even the series. Chase Anderson makes his Blue Jays debut against Red Sox righty Zack Godley 

Game #10 Toronto Blue Jays (4-6) @ Atlanta Braves (9-5) - game recap

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was 2-4 in a losing effort as the Braves walked off the Blue Jays 4-3

After edging the Braves last night, the Blue Jays were back at it a day later, looking for their first series win of the season.Rowdy Tellez saw his first action of the series, playing first base with Vlad getting the half day off, serving as the DH today..Randal Grichuk was back in CF after serving as DH last night. Travis Shaw was back in the lineup and playing the hot corner after missing a couple of weeks dealing with a family matter. Joe Panik got the start at second base with Cavan Biggio occupying RF today. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays make it two in a row and notch the series win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Braves opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Freddie Freeman smashed a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Dansby Swanson
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th as Bo Bichette lined a screamer to left-center
• The Braves added a run in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Adam Duvall that scored Marcell Ozuna
• Nate Pearson pitching line: 5IP 2H 3R (all earned) 3BB 5K 79 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 7th as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a groundout by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Two batters later, Teoscar Hernandez singled home Rowdy Tellez
• Touki Toussaint pitching line: 6.2IP 4H 3R (all earned) 0BB 9K 83 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Braves won it in the bottom of the 9th as Nick Markakis hammered the first pitch he saw to right
• Final score: Braves 4 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

• Nate Pearson pretty much made 1 mistake today, the 2-run HR he gave up in the 1st to Freddie Freeman. His command was just ok (he walked three batters, including one on four pitches). It would have been nice to see him at least start the 6th inning. Just one Blue Jays starter (Matt Shoemaker in the second game of the season) pitched into the 6th inning. The Blue Jays have used at least three relievers every game this season. I know it's a short season, but still, you have to let the starters go a bit deeper into the ball game and maybe gain some confidence. I'm a baseball purist and I can't stand the idea of pitching counts in general. The starting pitchers should be capable of throwing at least 90+ pitches in a start.
• I thought the best inning the Blue Jays had offensively today was the 7th when they manufactured a pair of runs and neither came off the long ball. While it's fun to see a player hammer the ball into outer space, or right out of the ballpark if you are playing at Fenway, unless you're the NY Yankees, you won't win many ball games just hitting HR. Pitchers will adapt and throw more pitches lower in the strike zone
• The Blue Jays were too impatient at the plate, striking out 10 times today, including 9 to starter Touki Toussant. Even worse, none of the Blue Jays drew a walk.
• What a bizarre day for Jacob Waguespack, who started off on the big league roster, was sent to the taxi squad as teams were required to trim rosters by 2 today, was put back on the MLB roster a few hours later when Trent Thornton was put on the IL with an inflamed pitching elbow, warmed up in the bullpen only to be told he couldn't pitch today because he was sent to the taxi squad and I guess you need 24 hours between roster moves?
• Up next, the Blue Jays travel to Boston in the last stop of this ridiculously long road trip to start the season. Technically the Blue Jays were considered the home team for 2 games last week in Washington, but for all intents and purposes they played in a road ball park for 3 series and saw a 4th series in Philadelphia cancelled after the Miami Marlins played the Phillies the Sunday of opening weekend DESPITE knowing that four players had tested positive for COVID-19 (eventually became 20 and messed up the schedules for 6 teams). Tanner Roark makes his second start in a Blue Jays uniform, while the Red Sox will counter with righty Ryan Weber.

Game 10...I think. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Jays (5-4) @ Braves (8-5)

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