11:45 PM Eastern
The Blue Jays are so good that they don’t even need to score an earned run to get a win. OK, maybe I should say that the pitching is so good that they don’t need to score an earned run to get a win.
Shaun Marcum’s air of unbelieveability held strong for another night, even though he wasn’t feeling well. He simply smoked the White Sox, keeping them off-balance all night with a mixture of change-ups, curveballs, sliders and the occasional well-placed fastball. It was brilliant to watch, and just as good as the performances of Roy Halladay, Dustin McGowan and A.J. Burnett the three nights previous, though in a completely different way.
I have been reluctant to hop on the Marcum bandwagon. That is, the “Marcum - potential Cy Young winner” bandwagon, but every time he gets the ball, he shows me that he can be one of the best pitchers on a team that’s full of great pitchers. I think he’s great, but I have thought before that he’s a great middle-of-the-rotation guy, and easily the best 4th starter in all of baseball. Now, though, I’m starting to feel the gusts that will raise him higher, and if they do, it would be a wonderful thing for the Jays both now and and in the future, when A.J. Burnett walks after this season.
The rotation is on an incredible run right now. In this last trip through all five starters, they’ve combined to allow just three earned runs on 22 hits, walking ten (five of them A.J.’s) and striking out 29 in 37 1/3 innings. That’s a 0.72 ERA and 0.857 WHIP on a full trip through the rotation! Sadly, the team went 3-2, which points out just how awful the hitting has been.
It was awful again tonight, against a Mark Buehrle who came into the game with a .333 opponents’ batting average in five starts. Throw the Jays at him, and he pitches his first complete game of the year, a five-hitter with no walks, and doesn’t allow an earned run. It’s almost as though they’re completely overmatched at the plate.
Best Blue Jay ever to the rescue, though, as Scott Rolen - with his hustle, leadership and all-around greatiosity - forced Joe Crede to bounce a throw to first on his grounder that would have ended the first inning. Nick Swisher couldn’t handle the hop, Rolen beat it out, and lo and behold - the Blue Jays were opportunistic!
Vernon Wells followed by taking Buehrle’s next pitch down the right-field line (one of his few - maybe only - hits to right so far this season), but it bounced into the stands, temporarily saving the Sox a run. The much-maligned Shannon Stewart then bounced a single up the middle to cash a pair, the game’s only runs as it turned out. And hey, at that point, the Jays were 1-for-1 with runners in scoring position!
They would only get one other legitimate chance to score, but couldn’t come through. After Wells and Stewart both singled to lead off the 5th, with Shannon going to second on Brian Anderson’s throw that missed the cut-off man, the Jays had runners on second and third and nobody out. But Buehrle struck out Lyle Overbay and Gregg Zaun (two of the Jays’ best hitters this season, but worst against lefties), and then got Adam Lind to hit a hard grounder to first on which Swisher made a really nice diving stop.
Great work out of the bullpen tonight, with every move John Gibbons made on a B.J. Ryan-free night working out perfectly. When Marcum, who was sick (both literally and colloquially), hit the wall in the 7th, walking Carlos Quentin and Joe Crede back-to-back with two out, Gibby went to Jeremy Accardo for the two righties at the bottom of the order. Accardo walked Anderson, but rebounded to get Juan Uribe on a harmless fly ball to right to end the inning.
Jesse Carlson came out for the 8th, and was brilliant again, retiring the top three hitters in the order in order, with a large assist from a great defensive play. Orlando Cabrera hit a shot into the hole between short and third, and Rolen could only get a glove on it as he dove, but the ball rolled slowly towards shortstop, and John McDonald picked it up and fired to first for the out. Just a phenomenal defensive play. The Jays have the two best defenders in the game on the left side of the infield. When McDonald and Rolen play side-by-side, it’s not a huge stretch to say that no ground ball will get through. Would that we could see it more often.
In the 9th, with lefty-crusher Jermaine Dye leading off, Gibbons went to Shawn Camp to get him one out, and he got it, striking out the one-time World Series MVP. Snakeface was next, to finish it off against lefty A.J. Pierzynski and righty-who-can’t-hit-lefties Quentin, and that was that. No phantom balks, no do-overs, nothing but another win and a continuation of the perfect month of May, a month in which the Jays have yet to be scored upon.
How long this can continue is anyone’s guess, on both sides. The pitching can’t possibly keep this up but then again, neither can the hitting. The Jays were 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position tonight, making them 8 for their last 77. It’s long past ridiculous, already, and it has to change. One hopes it’ll change in a hurry, because I don’t see the whole rotation going through another turn with an ERA under 1.00.
Day game after a night game coming up! Remember to tune in at 12:30 Eastern for the full pre-game show Jesse Litsch against John Danks. With the Jays seeing a second lefty in a row, combined with the day-after-night thing, I expect to see Barajas behind the plate and Marco Scutaro at third. Unless Scutaro plays first and Johnny Mac plays third to give Rolen the day off, which Gibbons said would be coming soon. When it happens it should be against a lefty. Rolen doesn’t hit lefties as well as he hits righties, and both McDonald and Scutaro destroy lefties, relative to the way they hit righties.
Comments are always encouraged, the JaysTalk continues 24/7!
With the jays being so strong at pitching and atrocious in the batters box, wouldn’t it make sense to pull the trigger on a trade with burnett and possibly get a somewhat decent return?
MW: I don’t know that a somewhat decent return for Burnett would be forthcoming at the moment - not too many teams are willing to make big trades this early in the season. Personally, I’d hold off for now, because both the hitting and pitching will even out, and they’re going to need Burnett at some point.
- TSBROTHER
SHAWN MARCUM JUST CONTINUES TO IMPRESS DUDE. BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING MEAN GENE, IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO COMPARE HIS STATS SINCE HE WAS INSERTED INTO THE ROTATION AGAINST OTHER STARTERS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD, I BET HE IS TOP 5 IN THE AL BROTHER.YOU JUST HAVE TO WONDER IF THIS GUY IS FOR REAL BROTHER.
THANKS BROTHER
- TerryI’m sorry but 2 wins (where we scored 5 RUNS COMBINED) is not going to change my mind! JP needs to drastically change this offence and change it fast! Our pitching is not going to shut the other team out every single night and if an average offence comes to play for our opposition we are done like dinner.
I heard rumours about Shane Victorino being expendable. I know Phillies need left handed relief help. What do you think about the possibilities of him coming here and giving us a true number 1 hitter. I’ve thought about something along the lines of Downs, Thigpen, and Ricky Romero for Victorino.
MW: That would be WAY, WAY too much to give up for Victorino. He’s a very good defender and base stealer, but he’s 27 has yet to post an obp over .350, so I don’t get how you see him as a true number 1 hitter.
- Mike ForgetteMike,
I believe you’ve said previously that Snakeface doesn’t talk to the media. How come? And don’t they have to?
Also, with the Rogers Centre being all but empty on most nights, why would they not lower their seat prices? If they cut them in half don’t you think more people would come? More people means more beer/food/merchandise sales and the potential to get people hooked again. Simple supply and demand; half the price+twice as many people=same amount of dollars with potential for more.
MW: There’s a school of thought, marketing-wise, that if you lower your prices too much you de-value your product. I’m not sure if I believe it, but lots of people seem to.
- Scott M.Snakeface didn’t talk to the media last year because he said he was superstitious. This year, I guess he still is. And no, they don’t have to talk to us, but the communications department could talk to the player and explain to them that it’d probably be a good idea to do so. The Jays’ communications folk seem to have chosen not to do that.
Funniest part of the night: when Juan Uribe came up the second time, the Big Board claimed he got his first ML hit off Jose DeLeon in 1984.
Uhh… that was Jose Uribe.
A couple behind us at the game muttered about Buehrle finally pitching a great game losing. I thought it was nice for someone other than Halladay to lose a complete game.
A fun game to watch, for the most part. Still, it’s hard to think of the Jays as having been opportunistic tonight, but rather just lucky, and contrary to your assertion that Gibby made all the right moves on a night without Ryan, I am mystified by his wasting Camp for one out. If Downs is good enough to face all those RHB, then why not let him start the ninth?
MW: Downs isn’t good enough to face lefty-masher Jermaine Dye (or at least Camp and his brand-spanking new change-up was a better fit), but he was good enough to get Pierzynski and then backwards-righty Carlos Quentin. If I’m the Jays, by the way, I take lucky over opportunistic, or even good after what they’ve been through lately.
- J. B. RainsbergerGood game…Marcum had electric stuff, but the tank was empty when Gibby pulled him. Accardo is scary. He doesn’t have quality pitches. With Wolfe coming back, shouldn’t he go down to Syracuse and perfect his splitter?…maybe learn a couple more, as he seems to be a one-pitch reliever. The infield looked good…David who?
MW: Accardo is going through a rough patch, and maybe at some point he does get sent down to work on his splitter, but I’d caution against making that move too soon. Wolfe is at least a couple of weeks away from coming back, though.
- JackMcGowan may be sexier with his fastball, but I’ll take Marcum over McGowan any day of the week and twice on sundays. But it sure nice to have both of them. JP(more likely his “people”) hasn’t gotten enough credit for finding guys like Marcum, Janssen and Lind outside of the first round. That at least makes up for some overdrafts and busts and breaks him out at about average on the GM list as far as drafting goes
MW: Don’t forget Adam Peterson (who turned into Jeremy Accardo) and Tom Mastny (who is now John McDonald).
- PeeWeeHave you heard anything about when BJ might be able to throw on consecutive days?
Scott Rolen does not hit righties better (because I am certain you aren’t someone who utilizes only BA), but he is somebody who needs an off day every now and again, and a lefty is the right time to let Scutaro/JMac have that start at 3B.
The Blue Jays are 4-0 when JMac plays the entire game. Just thought I’d throw that random, most likely useless stat out there.
MW: I was surprised to see that Rolen’s career OPS is better against lefties than against righties, and very surprised to see that it’s been better that way the last five years, too. I had thought his career trend the last little while had been to hit much better against right-handers, but it turns out the last little while is just two years. Very useless stat on Mac, especially since I see him playing fewer than 25 complete games all year.
- AriMike, I have a man-crush on Jesse Carlson. Please let him know.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Navin
MW: Will do.
- navin vaswaniI’m giggling with the thought of John McDonald destroying anything at the plate, but no matter. Seemed like Lind hit the ball harder tonight, can you see him coming out of his big league funk?
MW: Yes, I definitely can. He’s going to be a good hitter.
- LloydHey Mike,
What’s up with the disparaging epithets to refer to our own players? You are a wonderful wordsmith, a professional pontificator and a cunning linguist, so I’m sure you can rise above the likes of “snakeface.” Let’s leave the name calling to the swell of juvenile bloggers on the ‘net, shall we?
MW: Snakeface is no disparaging epithet, it’s a well-earned nickname, and not meant to be insulting at all. It refers to the tattoo of a snake that Scott Downs got on his face last month in order to appear more intimidating to hitters.
- DaveMike I just want to thank you for always answering what must seem to you to be the stupidest of questions. My baseball knowledge has grown in leaps and bounds since the start of this season thanks to your Jays Talk efforts and your efforts on this blog. If you ever come to Guelph (to watch the Royals play the Maple Leafs) youve got at least one (non)alcoholic beverage of your choice paid for.
Im seriously considering joining the Jesse Carlson cult, I have to say. Im rather impressed by his work so far.
Whats happened to Ty Taubenheim?
Considering we had the first Josh Towers call of the year today on Jays Talk, I wanted to give my two cents on the topic. I like Josh Towers, Last year my Dad and I saw a sunday afternoon game (redundant I know) where Josh Towers pitched, and he was really good, I remember you saying (I think) that Josh really liked afternoon games. Hes a strike throwing pitcher who (as I think I remember you saying) doesnt like to throw balls but when he leaves pitches up they tend to turn into home runs. I wish Josh had been able to find a job, I really do, I enjoyed watching him pitch.
MW: Ty Taubenheim was claimed on waivers by the Pirates in December after the Blue Jays traded for Buck Coats. He didn’t make the team. I don’t remember anything about Towers preferring day games, but I like Josh a lot, and still think he can be a solid big-league pitcher in the right situation. Right now he’s struggling in AAA with the Rockies. Colorado is not a good situation for Towers.
- Sam McLeanHere’s something interesting - Brandon League threw 3 innings on April 27 and his next appearance of 3.1 innings was tonight, May 2. Could the Jays be stretching out League down there as another option for the Burnett-less 2009 rotation? Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad place for a tremendous GB pitcher who has seemingly lost some of the bite off his fastball.
MW: Could be, could be.
- AriMW several quick points.
1. This may sound crazy and I know it’s gonna be considered a stretch, but when marcum is on, its not Doc he reminds me of at all, its Greg Maddux. Not the Maddux during his harder throwing Cubs years, but the Maddux of the Braves years. Using both sides of the plate, changing speeds…and actually changing speeds within the same pitch…the slow change, the slower change that dies down and away to lefties… the cutter..he doesnt have Maddux’ command yet, but he’s getting there.
2. Gibbons did a good job tonight with the Penn. During the game i did not know about Marcum being stick, but even aside from that, it has become clear to me that when Marcum loses it..its not gradual..its all of a sudden as if he hits a wall…i can remember several games where a dominant marcum suddenly looked very ordinary (red sox game this year).so good job by gibby getting him out when he did.
3. good chance without Mac in the field the jays lose this one.
4. cant believe people are calling in and saying the jays arent bunting and hitting and running enough. the jays are doing TOO much of that if you ask me. they arent in need of moving runners from second to third..they are quite good at that with hits, walks, bunts..they CANT GET THE GUY FROM THIRD HOME…last i checked, the only way that you can “small ball” that dude home from third is by stealing it or squeezing..two things that arent gonna work but once in a great while as a surprise tactic. i mean noone is talking about it but that terrible decision to hit and run thursday night against the sox in the ninth inning when all you needed was one more insurance run was mind bottling.
MW: It’s not a crazy comparison to say that when Marcum is on, he reminds of Maddux. He does, but he’s got a LONG way to go to catch one of the greatest pitchers in history. As well, Maddux was on pretty much every time he pitched for close to 15 years. The Red Sox game was one bad pitch for Marcum, it just happened to come after a walk and a two-out cheap single. He didn’t hit a wall at all. If McDonald doesn’t play, the Sox get at least two more singles than they did, though I don’t know if that means a Jays’ loss. And anytime the Jays want to hit-and-run with Eckstein at the plate, I’m all for it.
- sammymike, is it just coincidence but the jays are 4-1 when jmac gets 3+abs. you said there is no such thing as chemistry, but you can’t tell me the pitchers aren’t a lot more confident with jmac out there. and the jays are 7-4 when barajas gets 3+abs. play the subs!
MW: I’m sure the pitchers are a lot more confident with Mac out there, but that doesn’t make the team hit any better, and that’s been the issue. And I’ll take Zaun’s 175 points in OPS over Barajas’ any day.
- haroldVery satisfying win tonight. I was exceptionally pleased with Shaun’s performance and the relievers were money in the bank. Jesse Carlson continues to be a very pleasant surprise. Let’s refrain from negativity and instead of saying the Jays have lost 7 of 10, lets say they’ve won 3 of 5.
You continue to do an outstanding job Mike, hope you can find a way to get “Jays Talk” placed in the audio section here. I have to work some nights and I just hate missing show. I know “Stormin’ Norman” needs his air time, but it sure would be nice If “Jays Talk” lasted a little longer.
Another reason you don’t want Adam Dunn besides his poor defense, is his $13 million salary.
I noticed a few fans fretting over the possibility the Jays were on their way out of T.O. in a recent blog. Of course this is absurd. Take a look at the Cleveland Indians current situation. The Tribe is really suffering at the gate. They are in the bottom third in MLB in attendance at the present. You can’t blame it on the weather because the weather has been great down here in Ohio. Last weekend against the Yanks, the Indians only drew 119,000 for a four game series. 53,000 tickets went unsold for the series and in the past New York has always sold out the place. That is the Yankees only trip into Cleveland this year. They also have no more home games with the Red Sox and only 7 home games with the Tigers. Keep your eye on that gate situation in Cleveland. The Jays had 21,000 last night for the ChiSox. The Blue Jays will never leave Toronto.
Finally, former Blue Jay Tony Batista was released by the AAA Columbus Clippers yesterday. In 17 games Tony was hitting .226 with one home run and six runs batted in. He declined an offer to become a coach with the club in order to try to hook on with another organization.
Let’s hope Jesse Litsch keeps that shutout streak going on Saturday. Go Jays!
MW: Adam Dunn is worth every penny of that $13 million.
- Jim BranscomeWho do you think has a better future in your mind, the rays or the Orioles and I’m just wondering where you got the idea that scott rolen is the greatest blue jay ever. Also how much you think Adam Dunn would be worth on the trade market right now?
MW: I think the Rays will be much better in the near future, I think Dunn would be worth at least one very good pitching prospect, and it’s a little tongue-in-cheek that I’m calling Rolen the best Blue Jay ever.
- andrewDo you think that Barry Zito is the worst free agent signing ever because it’s not good that he is pitching in the bullpen right now?
MW: No, I think he’s one of the worst free agent signing ever because he’s been terrible for the Giants.
- AntonHope the arms stay healthy. Staff cant possibly pitch a shutout every night. Too much pressure on some young and old arms.More consistancy from A.J. would be a huge plus.Johnny Mack should be in every game from the eighth inning on.. Defense and pitching win championships.Cmon Denbo get em selecting their pitches to hit.
MW: Remember, they had the pitching and defense last year and didn’t even sniff a championship.
- JimGood game last night in AAA — Syracuse wins 4-3, Davis Romero goes 4 innings of shutout ball with 6 K’s and no walks, Brandon League the winner with 3.1 IP in relief, Russ Adams drives in 3, and Buck Coats throws out the potential tying run at the plate, for the 3rd out in the 9th.
Romero’s numbers so far — 0-1, 18.2 IP, 9 Hits, 8 BB, 23 K’s (WHIP 0.91). The only negative I can see is that his longest start has been only 4.0 innings — apparently still building him up from his shoulder surgery last year.
MW: Yeah, it’s great to see him doing so well.
- NormGreatest commentator ever:
Last night a caller called in suggesting Eckstein should DH. You said if that ever happened you’d “shoot myself in the face.”
I’m actually still laughing this morning as I’m typing this message.
Well played sir.
As an actual question, however, what do you think the odds are that the Jays move some pitching for a bat? I know conventional wisdom suggests that you can never have enough pitching, but this slump has moved waaaaaay beyond conventional. (In your words, their “historically bad”.) Do you think it’s pretty tough to get a real deal done this time of year as most teams, including the Jays, are still trying to figure out what they’ve got?
Maybe they could trade Jesse Litsch for Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz? That deal, however, would mean Rolen’s Greatest Blue Jay Ever tag would probably be cut short. So maybe it’s not worth doing after all.
Sorry. I was being for real until that last paragraph. I just couldn’t resist offering the “Jays Talk Caller” trade suggestion.
MW: I think you should talk to Bob (the commenter above) on my behalf. At this point, I’d still resist trading pitching for offense. I mean, maybe if a starter gets hurt for a couple of turns and Purcey comes up and is lights out, then you make a move like that, but right now I don’t know how deep their depth is.
- peteMike,
I want to talk about Jesse Carlton…is this guy really that good or is he just getting lucky so far this season. I think he has been amazing but I am just wondering what you think of his talent and if he can continue like he has for the rest of the season.
Also, I was leaning towards leaving him in for the 9th last night, what do you think about that?
MW: CarlSon seems to be pretty good so far. He kicked around in the minors for a while, but sometimes guys just “get it” at some point, and hopefully, he has. It’s still very early, though, let people see him a second and third time and let’s see what happens. I might have left him in to start the 9th as well, he was terrific and very efficient in the 8th.
- JeffMike, You hit the nail on the head. The pitching can’t keep this up, its too much to ask. The hitting can’t continue to be this bad (but I doubt it will ever be scary like the pitching). Problem as I see it is if one is up and the other is down your still not great. If this team has any dreams of a post-season some of the Jays hitters are going to need to have career years and the other will need to get back to their career averages. Lets hope the law of averages kicks in and not the law of diminishing returns.
Reed Johnson (aka Reeder?) watch - 0 for 2 with an average down to .279
Thomas (aka Big Hurt) watch
1 for 3 - ave up to .200
On another note, you mentioned tonight that you can find out if Lind can hit lefties unless he faces lefties. This is True. But shouldn’t one find out if Lind can hit righties before they worry about him hitting lefties? On the young year he is 1 for 9 against righties and for his career a .270 hitter against righiest, solid but, to quote Sloan, underwhelming.
MW: Underwhelming indeed, but he was in over his head last year, up at least a year early. They think he’s ready now.
- JWWhat a performance is all I have to say. Almost makes me forget about the hitting being terrible against a guy who’s been feasted on so far this year. But hey, 1/4 with RISP is a .250 avg and that’s an improvement (That was supposed to be somewhat funny). I virtually never had to see zaun move from his set up position. His locations was on….it was on like Donkey Kong (Gonna saturate that one). Great Job Marcum!! No I got a couple of questions….hope there not too many:
Was there any thought by Gibby to possibly play Barajas at first last night? Can he play first? Overbay just doesn’t see the ball well of of Bhurele (Can’t be bothered to look up correct spelling)
When can we expect Gibby to take Ryan off of his 1 day on 1 day off routine?
Carlson seems to make up for his non-tremendous stuff with a great psychological make-up and a delivery that fools hitters. Do you think that eventually MLB hitters will figure this out? Is that why he’s bounced around, or is he just a late bloomer cause he simply looks awesome. And I can certainly get used to his passion on the mound.
You took the words out of my mouth last night. We have a number 1, 2 number 2’s, a 2 1/2 and a number 5. Well said. Judging by your blog am I to assume that Marcum is the number 2 1/2. If so, I don’t think so for long.
Thanks for your time Mike
MW: Barajas can play first, and I was surprised not to see him out there one of these two games. Ryan will be off the no-more-than-every-other-day routine by mid-to-late May, I think. For Carlson, see an above answer.
- Christopher MarinoniWho do you think going to be on the trade market other then dunn for offence?
MW: It’s way too early to tell, but maybe guys like Jason Bay, Ken Griffey, Jr., Nick Johnson or Dmitri Young, Milton Bradley.
- andrewLast night, you said to a caller that you would rather have gregg zaun over jason Varteck and Ivan rodriguez? What do you think Jason and Ivan are overrated in your mind?
MW: Definitely. Rodriguez has had an obp under .300 in three of the last four years, and Varitek was awful in ‘06, though he rebounded a bit last year.
- andrewRE the discussion of Snakeface’s “lack of communication”, I heard on the telecast of one of the Red Sox games that a teammate (can’t remember who) had spoken to Manny Ramirez about “becoming more accessible to the media”, and that it appeared to have worked.
Is there the possibility of a similar solution with Downs?
MW: Honestly, I don’t think it’s that big enough an issue. Downs isn’t Manny Ramirez, it’s not like the media needs him often, or the fans are dying to hear from him.
- NormMike
I think I know the reason why Scott Downs (Snakeface)avoids the Media types. He is to Busy being the most all around approachable Player on the team as far as the Fans are concerned. He signs for everybody and acts like a normal guy. On the field he has been nothing but Great over the last two years. See my point Mike you media types will always find something that a player isn’t doing and waste time writing about it.I mean have you ever even met the Man?
You guys have easiest Job in the World.
MW: It’s very cool that Snakeface is out there pressing the flesh and talking to the fans all the time, that’s good to hear. It’s hard for me to believe, though, that with guys like McDonald, Eckstein, Hill, Frasor, Stairs, etc., etc. that Downs is the most approachable guy. Still, great if he is. I didn’t bring up the fact that he doesn’t talk to the media, somebody asked, and I answered. Nor have I brought it up since unless someone has asked specifically. Would you have preferred me to not answer the question honestly?
- Bobby BOh why stop there, how about Bubbie Buzachero(something like that) who turned into Brian Tallet.
JP has at least learned from his mistakes on how to build a bullpen. After Signing middling veteran relievers (Tam, Creek, etc..) he has picked up Downs and Carlson for nothing, Tallet for a no name prospect, Brian Wolfe as a throw in to get rid of Koskie and Accardo for a useless Hilly.
- PeeWeemike, marcum is awsome , i thought so middle to end of last year . only thing thats gonee wrong other then the bats has been the month of april seemed to be a time where the jays can end the month 5-7 games above .500 … i feel bad for you on jays talk, i work nights for the past 3 years and so far this year you have gotten the worst callers . that guy last night saying the jays have 4 # 4 pitchers…… ok!!!!! and the last caller you asked to be a good one might have been the worst all year saying that 3 hockey games finished by the time the jasy finished then when you let him know it was 2 h 10 min he says well 1 out of how many …. and why the way people keep second guessin you when you tell them there wrong. play of the game goes to johnny mac as it usally does WHEN he plays , carlson has been great , bats will come around and we lost jansen who was awsome but we got b.j and if carlson keeps pitching this way. ant the BUNT does NOT work ask doc when he turned that Dplay a few weeks back. go jay go and mike you do a great job keep it up . PS…. I SAY IF ANYONE ASKES HOW YOUR DOING YOU HANG UP LOL it drives me crazy and there talking to you. thts my rant
MW: Sane rants are always appreciated, despite the spelling and punctuation.
- mikewow mabey next time i should proof read lol
- mikeI think Marcum’s stuff is underrated. He does not throw very hard like Burnett or MCgowan, but his pitches have a lot of movement and he does a great job changing speeds. Thats why it seems like he has so many swinging misses by opposing batters. I could see him become a solid No.3 starter on the jays and probably not a 1 or 2, but you never know. Hes definitely better than Josh Towers or Jesse Litsch though.
MW: Oh, no question about that.
- aviWhy is Hill batting third today? Does Gibbons not realize he does not have enough power to bat in that slot. Also, why DH Stairs when you can use Stewart or Rolen in that spot against a lhp. These are really stupid moves. I think Gibbons days are really numbered.
MW: Turns out they won.
- aviWho is this Bob? I see no Bob?
Also, do you think Frank Thomas is the greatest hitter to have, thus far, been drafted out of the NCAA? (Clemens being, hands down, the best pitcher.)
Best Commentation Ever (Commentationistic)
MW: I think Barry Bonds is probably the best hitter ever to be drafted out of the NCAA. Him or Lou Gehrig.
- peteConsidering we have Aaron Hill/ Johnny Mac/Eckstein, does Russ Adams have a big league future at all or at this point will he probably be a career minor leaguer?
MW: I don’t think Adams has a future in the majors with the Blue Jays.
- Sam McLeanjust watched the game today (sat), johnny mac makes that play on the single in the 9th. wake up gibby !
MW: Yes, he does. Hopefully, over time, Gibby will change his mind about using McDonald for defense late in games in which the Jays are ahead.
- Nicky ZYah. Those two were alright also.
- peteHi Mike, just thought I’d let everyone know how Reed Johnson is doing coming into todays ballgame. Let me just say I liked the way he played the game but I never bought into the myth that was Reed Johnson. I think alot of people have a very selective memory and only see what they want to see. Anyways Reed is now batting .279 with an on base of .366 and has been dropped to 8th in the batting order today. Where was it two weeks ago? or 10 games in. As we all should realize by now if you’ve watched baseball for a number of years is that its a mistake to judge a season 1 month in let alone 1 week.
- TroyMike, you mentioned Griffey’s name today on the show so now i’m wondering who you feel would cost more value in a trade should the Jays pursue them: Griffey or Dunn. He was my favourite player in the 90’s so I have a bias towards wanting Griffey a little more.
MW: I think right now Dunn is a much better hitter, but Griffey’s name carries a lot of weight. Dunn’s still probably worth more, though.
- DilsonI think I heard on the radio broadcast today that adams has been moved to the outfield. Is this true? Do you think he has a beter shot that way?
MW: Yes, it’s true, and maybe he can become a Shannon Stewart-type out there, but I don’t think his future is with the Jays.
- GlennMike - Anyway the tech guys at Rogers can get together to synchronize the radio and television broadcasts so that we can listen to the radio guys while watching the muted TV?
Thanks
MW: That’s WAY beyond my purview.
- bgWhat do you think about bob elliot column on manager john gibbons. Have you read the article and what do you think about it?
MW: I read it, and I thought it was a cute little tongue-in-cheek article. Elliott knows that Gibby doesn’t deserve to be fired, and he illustrated that well. Although, it sounds like Bob is a little down on J.P.
- andrewMike,
Just a thought… Do you think it would make any difference if they Jays swapped Marcum with McGowan or Burnett in the rotation?… The idea being that you might want to break up the two soft throwing guys in the rotation? If today is any indication, it probably doesn’t make a difference… But it couldnt hurt right?
MW: I don’t think that makes a big deal. Stuff can get moved around as it is, and Marcum and Litsch don’t always face the same team on back-to-back days, anyway. Besides, as you said, it didn’t seem to matter at all this time or last time through.
- SteveMissed one Mike. You said we have a number 1, two n.umber 2’s, a 2 1/2 and a number 5 starter. Who’s your number 2 1/2? Might that have changed after seeing Marcum last night. I’m starting to think we have one number 1, 3 number 2’s and a number 4.
Take care Mike
MW: I think Marcum is a 2 1/2 with a bullet.
- Christopher MarinoniMike, can you explain to me how Roy Halladay takes a hometown discount to stay with the jays and how barry zito, a lesser pitcher then halladay get 7 year 126 million dollars from the Giants?
MW: Scott Boras is Barry Zito’s agent.
- andrewIf I had a chance to ask Gibbons one question, it would be this.
It is game seven of the World Series, the jays are up a run. Eckstein started the game and Macdonald is available on the bench, do you bring him in?
Of course this is a loaded question.
MW: What inning is it? When is Eckstein due up next time?
- BWMike
Good game today although I think the team still needs to start hitting as 5 of the runs so far in the series have been unearned. Joe Crede has really helped us out. Just a couple of quick things.
1. I heard you say on the Jays talk that last year the Jays were 2nd in ERA and 1st in defense and I’m wondering if the defensive stat is true and based on what stat. I thought we ended up middle of the pack fielding wise last year.
2. The guys on TV mentioned that Jim Thome was the 5th fastest person to reach 500 home runs? Is that correct? He’s 37 now and only has 513 total so it doesn’t seem right. They put him behind Mark McGwire, Babe Ruth, and 2 others (possibly Jimmy Fox)I can’t remember at the moment. I thought A-rod or Ken Griffey Jr. would be the quickest to get there.
MW: Rodriguez is probably the fastest of the bunch, though you could make the argument that a slimmer Bonds could have beaten him in a footrace. I actually don’t know if Thome got to 500 faster than all but four other guys, but it makes a bit of sense. Remember, 500 used to be an awfully tough number to get to.
- Peter B.The defensive stat that I’m quoting is from The Fielding Bible’s plus/minus system, in which the Jays were tops in the AL by a whole, big whack last year.
Mike
Most fans except J.P. Richardi and John Gibbons prefer to watch John MacDonald play defence than watch David Eckstein play offence. Watching John MacDonald making those plays are more exciting than hits.
MW: It doesn’t matter what’s more exciting to watch, though. What wins games matters, and right now the Jays need hits.
- brunoMike Wilner is an idiot who should not have a live phone in show. He respects no ones opinon but his own and his arguments are so well thought out they include phrases like, IT WONT HAPPEN, IT CANT HAPPEN, THEY WILL GET BETTER THEY HAVE TOO. Brilliant reasoning from this moron, its nice to be a homer but this guy just constantly puts down his callers just because he disagrees with the point they are trying to make, and most of the time the caller sounds more intelligent than this screwball. Start listening to your callers Mr. Milner because they make more sense than you, in fact just keep with giving out the scores because you dont have the talent or the personality to deal with the public.
MW: Well, at least he didn’t ask me a question after that.
- Josh