Game #59 Baltimore Orioles (24-35) @ Toronto Blue Jays (32-27) - game recap

 

Randal Grichuk hit a clutch 3-run HR in the 6th as the Blue Jays knocked off the Orioles 5-2 for their 4th straight win

The Blue Jays continued to play out the string with the potential of a 5th seed finish. This could mean the difference between facing the White Sox, who are 12-0 vs. lefties, Cleveland, and even Tampa Bay (a house of horrors for the Blue Jays). For that to happen, the Blue Jays have to sweep the Orioles and have the Yankees lose their season finale tomorrow. Initially Matt Shoemaker was supposed to start today, instead he was held back to give the Blue Jays more flexibility next week. TJ Zeuch got the start in what was effectively a bullpen day. Bo Bichette got the complete day off with Joe Panik at SS. Travis Shaw got the half day off as the DH with Vlad back in the field at 1B. Alejandro Kirk got the start behind the plate. Randal Grichuk got the day off with Jonathan Davis in CF. Cavan Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. were both back in the field, at the hot corner and LF respectively, after days off yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it four wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• TJ Zeuch pitching line: 5IP 0H 0R 0BB 0K 75 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 6th as Cavan Biggio smashed a solo bomb to right-center
• John Means pitching line: 6IP 1H 1R (earned) 1BB 9K 99 pitches (66 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Randal Grichuk whacked a 3-run blast to right; also scoring Teoscar Hernandez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 8th as Jose Iglesias doubled home Austin Hays 
• A batter later, Ryan Mountcastle singled scoring Iglesias. Mountcastle was thrown out at 2nd by Hernandez trying to stretch a single into a double
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Biggio scored on a fielder's choice hit by Guerrero Jr.
• Anthony Bass got the last 4 outs for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Orioles 2

My Take:

• TJ Zeuch just made the decision on who to include on the playoff roster a bit harder. He threw five shutout innings, scattering 5 hits, in a surprise start after the Blue Jays opted to hold Matt Shoemaker back. He was 1-0 with a 1.59ERA in 3 appearances (1 start) heading into today's game. Zeuch was initially drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1st round (31st overall), but chose not to sign. He re-entered the draft in 2016 and was drafted in the 1st round (16th overall). I say, why not give him a shot in the playoffs. He can't be any worse than Shun Yamagushi or Wilmer Font
• Offensively, Randal Grichuk came off the bench and hit a clutch 3-run HR to put the Blue Jays up by 4 at the time. It would prove large later when the Orioles got a pair back against Ross Stripling, who left the game after getting hit in the leg by a comebacker. Cavan Biggio also came up large, scoring 2 of the Blue Jays runs and driving in one
• Up next, the Blue Jays wrap up the regular season with a mid-afternoon matinee (noon for Scot, aka ItsAllOver! and I). Tanner Roark gets the start and he'll be looking to end the season on a positive after average at best campaign that saw him spout off about being pulled early a month ago. Roark will likely be given more leash to go deeper in the game to rest the bullpen. The Orioles will counter with lefty Keegan Atkin

Game #58 Baltimore Orioles (24-34) @ Toronto Blue Jays (31-27) - game recap

 

Travis Shaw as 3-4 with a run scored and 2 RBI as the Blue Jays doubled up on the Orioles 10-5

The Blue Jays opened up the final series of the season, which will serve as a time to rest certain players, final tune-ups for others and opportunities to see whether some of the injured players will be able to compete in the playoffs. The Blue Jays are playing a team (Baltimore Orioles) who are playing out the string and looking ahead to the off-season. Taijuan Walker got the start. Cavan Biggio got the complete day off with Joe Panik at the hot corner, Jonathan Villar at 2B and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the full day off with Jonathan Davis in LF. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Travis Shaw at 1B. Could the Blue Jays make it three wins in a row? Here is tonight's game  recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Randal Grichuk smacked a solo blast to left-center
• Five batters later, Danny Jansen singled home Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Jonathan Davis scored on a sac fly by Jonathan Villar
• A batter later, A batter later, Bo Bichette singled scoring Joe Panik
• A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez singled scoring Jansen and Bichette 
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Davis singled home Guerrero Jr.
• Three batters later, Villar singled home Davis
• Jorge Lopez pitching line: 2IP 9H 8R (all earned) 1BB 1K 54 pitches (34 for strikes)
• Taijuan Walker pitching line: 3IP 0H 0R 0BB 4K 42 pitches (28 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th as Travis Shaw whacked a 2-run blast to right, also scoring Grichuk
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 5th as Roman Urias smashed a solo bomb to right-center
• Two batters later, Cedric Mullins smacked a solo blast to right
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 6th as Jose Iglesias to left
• Four batters later, Hanser Alberto doubled home Rio Ruiz
• The Orioles got one back in the top of the 9th as Alberto scored on a groundout hit by Mullins
• Final score: Blue Jays 10 Orioles 5

My Take:

• Taijuan Walker looked solid in his final 3-inning tune-up before the playoffs. He threw 42 pitches, 28 for strikes, and struck out 4, walked none, did not allow a hit or run. Just one batter went to a full count.
• The biggest positive from tonight's game was the return of Nate Pearson, who's fastball was sizzling, topping out at 101.5mph. The question is how he feels tomorrow. Expect him to get one more relief appearance, likely Sunday
• Shun Yamaguchi had a bit of a rough outing, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits in 2/3 of an inning.
• The bats were still working. Everyone in the lineup had at least one hit and all but Teoscar Hernandez and Jonathan Villar scored at least one run. All but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Joe Panik drove in at least one run.
• Even more impressive, the Blue Jays hitters only struck out 3 times
• With the win, the Blue Jays are guaranteed to be over .500 for the first time since 2016, which, no surprise, is the last time the Blue Jays made the playoffs 
• Up next, The Blue Jays go for four in a row as they try to nab the 5th playoff spot (pending the Marlins sweeping the Yankees). Matt Shoemaker gets the start against Orioles lefty John Means

Game #57 New York Yankees (32-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (30-27) - game recap

 

Hyun-jin Ryu threw seven shutout innings as the Blue Jays clinched a playoff berth with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Yankees

For the first time since 2016, the Blue Jays were looking to punch their ticket into the post-season with a win over the Yankees. Pete Walker and Luis Rivera are the only coaches left from the 2016 team. All players have moved on or retired. Hyun-jin Ryu, who was in the midst of a lost season in 2016 due to recovering from 2015 shoulder surgery, coming back for 1 start before going right back on the disabled list and eventually having season-ending elbow surgery, gets the start. Last night, the Blue Jays clobbered the Yankees in anticipation of making the postseason last night. However, the Mariners beat the Astros to stay alive (just) in the playoff race. Nate Pearson was activated for tonight with Wilmer Font being removed from the roster. Jordan Romano is expected to throw another bullpen tomorrow with a higher intensity. The Blue Jays elected to inject more offence in the lineup tonight with Alejandro Kirk serving as DH. Cavan Biggio was at the hot corner, Vlad was at first base, and Jonathan Villar was at 2B. Did the Blue Jays  wear themselves out last night, or did they have enough to beat the Yankees one more time? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a solo blast to left-center
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Bo Bichette doubled home Cavan Biggio
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 6th as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Randal Grichuk and Guerrero
• Jordan Montgomery pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 8K 88 pitches (60 for strikes)
• Hyun-Jin Ryu pitching line: 7IP 5H 0R 2BB 4K 100 pitches (62 for strikes)
• The Yankees got one back in the top of the 8th as Gio Urshela singled scoring Aaron Hicks 
• Rafael Dolis got the last 4 outs for his 5th save of the season.
• Final score: Blue Jays 4 Yankees 1

My take:

• Hyun-Jin Ryu showed exactly why the Blue Jays signed him, throwing seven shutout innings, scattering 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 4. He retired the first 5 batters he faced. The biggest jam Ryu got into was 2 singles to lead off the 6th, but Ryu retired the next three batters to escape the inning unscathed. His curve was nasty tonight.
• Don't look now, but Vlad has quietly morphed into a legit MLB player. He opened the scoring with a solo blast and scored the 1st insurance run with some heads up base running. In the field, he made a nice stretch on a bad throw. He's making first base look easy, whereas before it looked like the most difficult position on the baseball diamond.
• Now that the playoffs are clinched, the next three days will be all about resting some of the every day players, such as Randal Grichuk, Cavan Biggio and Vlad. For others, such as Teoscar Hernandez and Bo Bichette, who both recently returned from lengthy absences, it will be about getting timing back and being sharp for next week. Pitchers like Nate Pearson, Matt Shoemaker and Jordan Romano will get at least one appearance to prove they are healthy and set to play in the postseason. The other relievers will also see work to stay sharp.
• Put this in perspective, the Blue Jays essentially played 57 road games this season. They didn't know their home ball park until the season was already underway and they didn't play their 1st game at Sahlen park until August 11th. I call that remarkable
• With the win today, the Blue Jays are guaranteed to finished the regular season .500, even if they are swept in the final weekend of the season.
• Up next, the Blue Jays open the final series of the regular season against the Baltimore Orioles, who are neck and neck with the Red Sox for last in the AL East and a better draft pick. Neither team has set their rotation for the final weekend.

Game #56 New York Yankees (32-24) @ Toronto Blue Jays (29-27) - game recap

 

Danny Jansen was 4-4 with 3 runs scored and 3RBI and a hit by pitch in a 14-1 rout over the Yankees

The Blue Jays had a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016 with a win tonight and having the Mariners lose to the Astros. There's potential 2 or 3 fresh arms could be in the bullpen with Nate Pearson, Jordan Romano and Julian Merryweather all potentially going to be healthy. Pearson threw 2 stimulated innings in a liv BP Monday (and he felt fine the next day). Romano tossed a bullpen yesterday. Merryweather is the iffiest having just hit the IL with elbow tendinitis Monday. Robbie Ray got the start on the mound. Bo Bichette got the half day off as the DH with Joe Panik at SS today. Cavan biggio was back at his natural position at 2B. Travis Shaw was back in the lineup and at the hot corner after being a late scratch last night with back spasms. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after sitting out the last 2 games. Could the Blue Jays punch their ticket into the post-season? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled home Cavan Biggio
• On the next batter, Teoscar Hernandez scored when Gary Sanchez made a bad throw trying  to pick him off 3rd base
• The Yankees got one back in the top of the 2nd on a passed ball by Danny Jansen that scored Luke Volt
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Guerrero Jr, doubled scoring Randal Grichuk
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 4th as Danny Jansen smacked a solo blast to left
• Four batters later, Grichuk singled scoring Biggio
• Robbie Ray pitching line: 4IP 3H 1R (unearned) 4BB 5K 90 pitches (49 for strikes)
• Masahiro Tanaka pitching line: 4IP 8H 5R (3 earned) 3BB 5K 91 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 6th as Hernandez scored on a fielder's choice hit by Guerrero Jr.
• A batter later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled home Grichuk
• A batter later, Travis Shaw singled home Guerrero Jr.
• Two batters later, Jansen was hit by a pitch forcing in Gurriel Jr
• A batter later, Biggio doubled scoring Shaw and Joe Panik
• A batter later, Bo Bichette doubled home Biggio and Jansen
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Jansen smacked a solo shot to left-center
• Final score: Blue Jays 14 Yankees 1

My Take:

• Robbie Ray battled command issues all game long, walking 4 batters. He did keep the damage to an unearned run on a passed ball by Danny Jansen. Five of the batters he faced went to full counts. My guess is he'll be in the bullpen in the postseason
• Ross Stripling, on the other hand, was outstanding, allowing just one hit in 4 innings while striking out 4. He could be the 3rd starter or follow Matt Shoemaker.
• Danny Jansen responded from Alejandro Kirk's solid 2 games with his own 4-4 effort with 3 runs scored and 3RBI
• Every Blue Jay batter scored at least one run, and all but Joe Panik had at least one hit (though Panik drew a walk) and all but Panik and Teoscar Hernandez had at least 1 RBI
• You could see the Blue Jays had their eye on their first playoff berth since 2016. Alas, they will have to wait at least one more day after Seattle beat Houston
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to punch their ticket into the postseason. Ace Hyun-jin Ryu gets the start in this important game. The Yankees will counter with lefty Jordan Montgomery

Game #55 New York Yankees (32-23) @ Toronto Blue Jays (28-27) - game recap

 

Cavan Biggio smashed a solo HR in a 12-1 loss to the Yankees 

After a solid win against the Yankees last night, the Blue Jays were looking to keep it going tonight against Yankees ace Garrett Cole. Tanner Roark got the start for the Blue Jays. Rafael Dolis remained unavailable and day-to-day with a sore knee. Alejandro Kirk started back to back games behind the plate after a stellar performance at the plate last night. Randal Grichuk got the half day off as DH tonight with Jonathan Davis in CF. Initially Vlad was supposed to DH, but Travis Shaw was scratched with back spasms. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was back in the field after DH'ing last night. Could the Blue Jays make it three in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Yankees opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Aaron Hicks tripled home Aron Judge
• On the next batter, Hicks scored on a wild pitch by Tanner Roark
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 4th as Gio Urshela singled home Gleyber Torres
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Cavan Biggio smashed a solo bomb to dead center 
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 5th as Judge singled home Kyle Higashioka
• A batter later, Hicks singled scoring Judge and DJ LeMahieu 
• Two batters later, Torres singled home Hicks
• Tanner Roark pitching line: 4.1IP 7H 6R (all earned) 0BB 4K 72 pitches (40 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 8th as Brett Gardner singled home Urshela
• A batter later, Higashioka doubled home Gardner and Clint Frazier. The initial home run call was overturned upon review 
• Garrett Cole pitching line: 7IP 5H 1R (earned) 0BB 7K 108 pitches (77 for strikes)
• The Yankees added a run in the top of the 9th as Torres singled scoring Judge
• A batter later, Urshela singled home Mike Tauchman
• Final score: Yankees 12 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• It was another so-so start for Tanner Roark, who is competing for one of the three starter's spots in the playoffs. He gave up 6 runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out four. Since he made some comments about getting pulled too early on September 9, he's allowed 14 runs on 15 hits while walking 5 and striking out 11 in 12.1 innings, not great. At this point, it looks like Ryu and Taijuan Walker will be under a lot of pressure to pitch deep into their starts because there aren't many options available that can pitch any kind of length. Jacob Waguespack, Ryan Borucki, Roark, and Matt Shoemaker can definitely throw a few innings.
• The bullpen options also look questionable. Wilmer Font was roughed up the second day in a row pitching in a low leverage situation. He gave up a couple of runs in the 9th. Chase Anderson gave up three runs in the 8th to put the game out of reach, if it wasn't already. Ryan Borucki should a solid option from the left side. Jordan Roman is expected back to close/set up a close game. Rafael Dolis has also earned the trust of Charlie Montoyo.. Anthony Bass has also been a solid addition. The big question is how much the relievers have left in the tank after being used so much the last 2 months
• Offensively, it was not a good night. The only run came off a solo bomb by Cavan Biggio. Beyond that, the biggest threat the Blue Jays had was on back-to-back singles to start the 6th (that turned into 2 chances to bring a couple in with runners on 1st and 2nd with one out). Alas, Alejandro Kirk was thrown out at home trying to score on a ground ball to Gio Urshela and Jonathan Davis was thrown out at 3rd base on the next play. The final 9 Blue Jays were outs.
• Defensively, it wasn't a good game either. Teoscar Hernandez misplayed a line drive hit out to him, allowing Aaron Hicks to make it to 3rd base on a triple. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made a bad play on a ball, bringing home two more runs. It's these kinds of plays that will mean an early exit in the playoffs.
• Up next, the Blue Jays look to bounce back after the rough one tonight. Robbie Ray gets the start against Jays killer Masahiro Tanaka