5:43 PM Eastern
That was the sound of the air being sucked out of the Blue Jays’ mini-resurgence. They played an awful game from the second inning on, and now can’t reach the stated goal of “.500 by the all-star break”. Granted, that goal was stated before they left on the road trip on which they went 2-4, and when they still had a healthy Vernon Wells and Dustin McGowan. And yet, even with all of the above, they can still get to the break just a game under with a win tomorrow.
The Blue Jays, as has rarely been the case this season, lost this game because of their defense. In the second inning, the Yankees loaded the bases with one out and Derek Jeter (who rarely makes an out in an important situation, it must be believed) hit a textbook double play ball that Marco Scutaro couldn’t handle. Scoot kicked it and bobbled it and by the time he picked it up, couldn’t make a play anywhere. The inning should have been over, but the Yanks tacked on two more runs (in addition to the one that scored on the error itself) on an Alex Rodriguez single and led 5-4.
In the third, John McDonald ranged to his left to snare Robinson Cano’s grounder, then threw high, pulling Lyle Overbay off the bag. Three unearned runs eventually scored as a result.
Now, that’s not to say that this loss was entirely the fault of Scutaro and McDonald – Jesse Litsch still gave up some big hits after the errors – but the defense was a major, major factor.
So too was the fact that the bats couldn’t get a thing done after the first inning. In that first, Adam Lind had the huge hit – a three-run triple that couldn’t have been rolled better between Melky Cabrera and Bobby Abreu in right-centre, but that was it. The Jays loaded the bases with one out in the second, thanks in part to a Cano error, but couldn’t cash. First and second in the fourth, and they couldn’t even move a runner 90 feet. Leadoff double in the 5th, and nothing. And that leadoff double by Brad Wilkerson was the last hit the Jays managed.
They’re not going to go into the all-star break on a six-game win streak, though if the Rays’ slide continues, who knows – they could be in the middle of a 10-3 or 11-2 even as we speak. That’s definitely a stretch, though.
Here’s today’s edition of The JaysTalk, brief but entertaining:
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One thing about the calls, and the comments – if you’re going to rip me for something I said, please make sure I actually said it. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.
Rational, reasonable comments are always encouraged.
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Off topic, but i hope you can help me out.
What exactly does drafting over slot mean? Assuming its at least partially the reason behind the continuous depth (So they say) of Red Sox prospects, could drafting over slot have given us access to better/more surefire prospects? If it’s just a question of money, why haven’t we been doing so…?
Thanks!
MW: It’s just a question of money. It means paying out higher-than-slotted bonuses to draft picks. The Jays don’t do it because they don’t want to make Bud Selig angry.
- liamSend Listch down to AAA to get his stuff back, he looked awful today. If the Jays trade AJ, insert Purcey and keep Parrish in the rotation. I might even call Dave Steib to join the roation. Kidding of course.
- tom stewartOk enjoy the Lind clutch triple, now after 4 games of doing just that being clutch, it is time to return to the slop we have been watching all season from our so called “major league hitters”! Basically we get a bad team that gets hot for a short while, opposite to a good team which gets cold for awhile and slumps for a week or so. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU: tomorrow Burnett will throw a great game and lose something like 3 to 1 or 4 to 1. The Jays will go cold with runners in scoring position starting tomorrow for another extended period you can just see it. They will score their lone run on a double with a runner on 1st base, so this will keep their RISP at .000 tomorrow! You just know that with 2 guys on and none out in the 4th they would get SQUAT, bang 3 strikeouts.
Hey Rolen it is ok for you to actually take a swing that doesn’t result in a pop up to 2nd or a courteous wave at something you have no chance at hitting. Hands up out there if you know Wilkerson would get a hit when it didn’t matter unlike his previous at bat when he grounded out weekly. I enjoyed that 4 game streak but now its over and we can get to the business of dealing all these one year contract guys.
Litsch is just so overpowering, 75 mile an hour curves, real hard to hit, I hear Wilners team needs a slo pitch pitcher!
Also Barajas needs to play until his legs fall off, Zaun just has no chance!
MW: This is what one loss does after four straight wins. Impressive.
- tonyMMThere have been some talks that the Jays are looking for some help at shortstop. I believe that they don’t need to look very far. Next year, what are the chances that Aaron Hill can move over to short and the Jays can pencil in Joe Inglett every day at second? I believe Aaron was origianally drafted as a shortstop out of UCLA, I don’t think it would be that difficult of a transition to make, and Inglett seems to be thriving with his everyday role. Your thoughts?
MW: My thoughts are that Hill is a solid shortstop, but an extraordinary second baseman, and I want to see more of Inglett before I’m completely sold. But if Inglett is what he seems to be, then that seems like a terrific solution.
- DarylIt’s quite ironic that Johnny Mac and Scoot made those errors considering the fact that that play both made in conjunction last night will be a legendary web gem. Is asking AJ to pitch on 3 days rest a good idea? He has never pitched on three days rest before and he is pitching against the Yankees…..there might be a chance that he is shelled tomorrow and JP’s call to showcase him might be for naught. In addition, Pettitte is pitching and he is the Yanks’ best pitcher right now. In essence, I don’t know if it’s wise to pitch AJ like this win will determine the season. Yes, AJ gives the Jays the best chance to win and this is a showcase for him to be traded BUT it is also a possible disaster waiting to happen.
MW: I don’t think it’s a disaster waiting to happen, only if he gets hurt.
- jay“MW: This is what one loss does after four straight wins. Impressive.”
Well, it’s not so much the loss but the particulars of it–Rasner was pitching worse that Litsch over their previous seven starts (7.05 to 5.27 ERA) and ol’ Jess couldn’t even make a three run cushion stand up for a full inning before giving it back.
Then having Rasner wiggle out of jams from which Litsch couldn’t extricate himself–one team took advantage of opportunities the other did not.
Litsch was dealing to a depleted Yankee lineup missing Damon and Matsui and despite that break (and the three run edge) continued his futility against the Yankees (albeit over a brief career).
It was one of those “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” feelings.
Had the Yankees put up a picket fence on the linescore and eroded away the lead little by little perhaps it may have been easier to take than simply giving up an early lead so quickly.
Yeah–the defense and the inconsistent strike zone didn’t help but then again, constantly falling behind Yankee batters the inning after being given a generous lead causes the hardiest of us to end it all in painful fashion.
Heck–I went out and criticized my wife … the doctor says I’ll be walking again in no time!
Best Regards
John
- John B.Mike,
It appears that Litsch has temporarily lost his command
in his pitching and is slowly
become less than an ordinary
starting pitcher. Perhaps a
demotion to AAA may be in the offing.
Also,it was quiet in the stands today as Wayne the beer vendor was noticeably absent,
Please bring Wayne back!!!
MW: I have nothing to do with Wayne. Litsch didn’t pitch well yesterday, but wasn’t THAT bad. He’s certainly not going to be shipped out with McGowan and Marcum both on the shelf and Burnett on the trade block.
- MarkIt’s a loss. There’ll be others! We scored 4 runs, and a few weeks back we would have been lucky to score 4 in a week. The defense wasn’t great but in general it’s been excellent. Litsch wasn’t good but mostly he’s been ok. We’re missing our top run producer and his talented but irritating little pal. Lighten up guys!
- reyesseeing as we’re not going to be hearing enough bat-talk this coming week, i have to ask:
how do you think batman would fare in the majors? what position would he play? who would we have to trade for him?
MW: I think Batman would be a terrific shortstop or centrefielder – when he’s not pitching, of course. You think Roy Halladay is focused?
- AmsRe #3 — if only it were true that Wilkerson only grounded out “weekly” — once a week I could take!
- NormSo what if Derek Jeter is no better at the clutch then when not. At least Derek Jeter is not A-rod, who sucks when it comes to postseason time. I mean, you rather have Derek Jeter then A-rod in the postseason?
MW: No. I’d rather have Rodriguez, because he’s a much better hitter overall.
- samReferring to yesterday’s comment, yes, it was a Saskatchewan feed I picked up through Big Sky Country….not much out there to interfere with the signal, I reckon.
Tough loss today because of the untypical nature (poor defensive plays up the middle) but a great confidence booster for Adam Lind who continues to encourage and make Cito decision to play him solid.
This loss may have deflated some wind out of the sails, but I think Burnett will pitch with a chip on his shoulder tomorrow in an attempt to help himself out of Toronto and into a better (in his eyes) situation elsewhere.
Keep keepin’ on Mike, I enjoy your show.
- McMahonMike, have you noticed what the Mets have been doing lately? In their last 10 games, they have won 9, and given up a total of 23 runs, of which 9 came in a 10-9 win over the Phils last Monday.
Throw out that one game, and they have given up an average of 1.55 runs per game!
Talk about a team with “hot pitching”!
(It is particularly painful, since my opponent this week in the “head to head” fantasy league has the Met pitching staff! — I think I’m dead!!!)
MW: Yes, you’re definitely in trouble. It’s nice to see the Mets pick it up, and with devastating pitching yet. I think I picked them to be the best team in the NL this year.
- NormI think that the Jays should trade AJ and Eckstein so they can get some prospects and young talent that can hit like say Kyle Kendrick and Gregg Dobbs in a trade for AJ with a prospect. Or trade Eckstein to the O’s for Liz and like Jay Payton. But I would do the Philly trade more because I really like Kendrick and his future in the Majors and I really like Dobbs and I think he can be an everyday player and can hit about 12-18 hrs a year or even more.
MW: You’re more a fan of both Kendrick and Dobbs than I. Kendrick’s a pretty ordinary guy – doesn’t walk many, but gives up more hits than innings pitched, he’s very Litsch-y, and Dobbs is 30 and really hasn’t done anything in the majors yet. And Jay Payton? Really?
- DavidLitsch was murdered by the Yankees last year as well. Wondering what’s his ERA and IP/game v the Yankees? This game is funny eh, less than 24 hours ago Scutaro and Johnny Mac WOWED everybody and today they literally cost the game with couple of poor defensive plays.
Do you think Yankees will catch up Rays or Red Sox this year? They usually play their best ball after the all-star break but this year I think it won’t happen.
MW: I think they’ll probably catch Tampa.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherHi Mike,just a quick note on Scott Rollins,he seems to be lost in the batters box??Whats up with this guy,sure makes me think we were better off with Troy Glaus.
MW: Scott Rolen? The guy who is second on the team in OPS? He’s definitely in a bad way right now, and certainly hasn’t been as good offensively as expected overall.
- RonIs there something wrong with Toronto’s hospitals of which I’m not aware? Does Puerto Rico possess maternity wards that are of a much higher quality than Toronto’s?
Or did the top brass of the Jays, overwhelmed by the stellar performance of Alex Rios at the plate up until this point in the season, decide to reward him with a few days off before he takes three days off? I guess doing so would make sense. It’s not like he just got a huge contract or anything, right?
MW: His fiancee is having a baby, and he has every right to be there for the birth. As for the maternity wards in Toronto, they’re fine, but the club can’t order a player to have his wife give birth here. John McDonald’s wife is about to give birth as well, and she’s been home in Cleveland for a month to make sure the baby is born there.
- Michaelr u ever happy? you’re always telling callers that you’re not well, you’ve been better.. like it’s hell to come on the air and take calls.. that’s how you come across..
wake up
MW: I say that I’m not unwell, not not well.
- Amir JafariHey Mike. Off topic question. Does anyone throw a screwball anymore or is it just too hard on the arm? If so, who’s got a good one in the majors?
Thanks.
Steve
MW: I haven’t seen a screwball in a long time, though allegedly that’s what Daisuke Matsuzaka’s gyroball really is.
- SteveAWhen was the last time the Jays hit two triples in an inning? In a single game?
MW: Good question.
- Sam McLeanHi Mike,
Maybe you should ask Neil his opinion of Curt Schilling through age 31. Only 7 games over .500 vs Burnett’s 4? I guess Schilling at 31 was still an inconsistent pitcher. While he was 31, Schilling had a .500 season (1 game over) with a 3.25 ERA, 268.2 innings pitched, 300 K’s and 1.11 WHIP.
- Peterquote:
Basically we get a bad team that gets hot for a short while, opposite to a good team which gets cold for awhile and slumps for a week or so.
~unquote
Actually it’s exactly the opposite.
The Jays have been astoundingly horrible, in terms of results, two times this season for a stretch of 14 games each time.
The last 2 weeks in April they were 3-11
And the 14 games that started with the bullpen collapse in Baltimore they were 3-11.
In the other 66 games they have played this season, they are 40-26 (.606)
If they had played even .500 ball during those two cold stretches, they would be ONE game behind the Red Sox right now.
Put another way, the Jays have played .611 ball since the end of the last cold stretch over 18 games…they played .600 ball over 35 games beginning May 1…and the played .571 ball for two weeks to open the season.
Playing at the least of those rates (.571) over the whole season would give us a record of 54-40 right now – one game behind Boston.
This is most definitely a good team that has collapsed completely for two 2 week stretches, not a bad team which occasionally gets hot.
That’s not to say that all the expected key offensive cogs have not inexplicably failed to preform as they reasonably should. They have.
But in terms of wins and losses, your statement is the exact opposite of what the record shows.
- WillRainQuote:
Also Barajas needs to play until his legs fall off, Zaun just has no chance!
~unquote
Since his recall from the DL (June 15), Zaun has a line like this:
40 AB, 8 H, 1 double, 3 HR, 11 BB
That works out too (roughly):
.200 – .372 – .450 – .822
During the same period, Brajas has put up these totals:
58 – 13 – 2 – 3 – 0
That’s:
.224 – .224 – .414 – .638
MW: This is cool. Usually I have to do stuff like this.
- WillRainHey Mike
Litsch does have difficulties with the lefty sticks. 6 lefty bats in the Yanks lineup, plus Jeter and Arod…very tough assignment a guy who struggles with lefties. Might have been a good idea to push Litsch back and throw a lefthander. I was going to predict a beating for Litsch yesterday, but i was the same guy that said Volquez would blow through the jays lineup a few weeks ago, so i thought i’d stop making predictions.
I was looking at the free agent catchers available for next year, and it isn’t a great cast of characters. Its so bad in fact that if the Jays don’t sign Varitek or Pudge, which i wouldn’t, you will probably see them pick up the option on Barajas and have him be the main guy for next year. Do you think this is why Barajas is getting so much time lately?
MW: I do think they’ll pick up Barajas’ option, but not necessarily have him as the main guy all year next year, but no, I don’t think that’s why he’s playing so much lately.
- rickHey Mike,
Have you heard who the teams are that are in the race for AJ because last i heard from Ken Rosenthal is that the Phillies are absolutely not interested and the Cardinals are not either.
MW: The Jays are still actively scouting the Phillies. I wouldn’t imagine the Cards are going to make a big push for Burnett.
- NathHi Mike,
Just for the record and although it may sound a little suspicious, Buck Coats went 4 for 9 on Friday and Saturday for Syracuse against Lehigh Valley.
Although he missed 4 of 5 games this week against Buffalo, he obviously was not injured when he had the chance to be called up for the weekend instead of Mench.
It’s funny how, when he was signed by JP, Buck was identified as the “perfect” 25th man (I re-read the quote on Buck’s bio the other day) for the Jays and this was a “perfect” 25th man situation but he was passed by, this time.
I guess we can only hope that Left hand bat is coming sooner than later. Inglett,Lind and Overbay all hitting well now is helping, but one more left with power might be awesome!
MW: Buck Coats has power? And as for the health issue, if a guy misses four of five games but says he’s ready to go that night, I’m not calling him up to the big leagues.
- BRick in OakvilleA note to tonyMM.
I was in Yankee Stadium last weekend watching Mike Mussina beat the Red Sox with a 75 mph curveball. That’s the idea of a curve ball, it’s slow and curves and is a set up pitch for the fastball or vice-versa. You don’t want all your pitches the same speed. The idea is to screw up the tinming of the hitters.
On Rolen, his defensive play has been spectacular. He has only 4 errors at third base. He threw a guy out this week on his knees from well out of play. He’s in a bit of a hitting slump but this is one move JP made which strengthened the team
- George AI think ‘Dave in Oakville’ has your number on speed dial!
- ukJayMike,
You must of got a chuckle out of post #3. Between shaking my head and laughing, I just couldn’t get a handle on where this came from. How can one possibly go from enjoying a 4 game win streak, to ripping the team and certain players the way this guy did. If you really did enjoy the 4 game win streak (tonyMM) then why, would you possibly want to predict failure.
FYI (tonyMM) if a guy has a 75 mph curve ball, he has very good speed for that pitch. Are you aware of how a curve ball is thrown, what happens to the ball on the way to the plate – the difficulty level to perfect it etc?
Allow me to enlighten you a bit here. The curve ball, is thrown so it spins the opposite way to a fast ball (top spin Vs back spin – allows the ball to lift). The pitchers arm speed as to delivery is exactly the same as is when throwing a fast ball (it has to be otherwise the hitter would recognize what’s coming). At a speed of perhaps 20 – 30 mph less than that of a fast ball the curve actually spins backwards with an approximated 75 – 100 revolutions more than that of a fast ball (hence the lower speed). A curve ball can spin over 1900 times a minute – about a couple of hundred times more than that of a fastball. JL has a very good curve ball and travelling at 75mph is as good or better than average.
It also amazes me, how the t.v. crew can possibly go on a rant about what a great piece of hitting it was by Jeter on Friday night when he hit the double of Doc in the 9th inning. That was a good pitch, Jeter got around on it way too late – not planned at all. He is just lucky the ball went fair. Gimme a break here – that was nothing but pure luck and late swing contact – not intentional at all. Just so glad Doc wasn’t working on a “no-no” at that time Vs a 1 hitter.
You can’t win em all and one loss to the Yankees is not the end. We did for the most part give the game away yesterday. However, in my book, the Jays are still on a positive roll.
Thanks.
- BobMike,
I loved the pre-game show yesterday, especially your guest Spencer Fordin. It was a breath of fresh air to hear somebody with the courage to tell it like it is.
I remember last year you used to go on about how incredible the number of injured Jays was and that we shouldn’t make evaluations of the team because of the injuries.
That of course morphed into a new line from you – the Jays underperformance this year was incredible and nobody could have anticipated it.
Fordin had the guts to say the Jays were right about where he thought they’d be at the start of the season.
My question is, how embarassed are you when guests come on your show and blow apart your silly explanations about the Jays struggles?
MW: I’m not embarrassed at all. I don’t recall Spencer saying that he didn’t think the Jays were any good. In fact, I heard him say that he thought the Jays could be contenders going into this season.
- ProkopecI wouldn’t be supprised at all if A.J. is NOT traded. I really don’t think teams want to take a chance with his contract and performance. One team he won’t be going to is the Phillies.
MW: What else did Pat Gillick tell you?
- brunoIts funny how things change..Not too long ago after a 12-0 win in Oakland, Litch was 7-1 and people wanted him on the all-star team..Now they want him in the minors..Litch is a good 5th starter and thats about it..Every team needs a good 5th starter and the Jays should be happy with Litch..He is still young and has loads of heart..Who is this Brett Cecil guy?..Is he any good?
MW: I couldn’t agree with you more about Litsch. Cecil is a very talented young lefty.
- gumpBarajas will start and Burnett will win and lead the league in strikeouts by the break. Rios comes back next week and tears the cover off the ball in the second half. Jays will win it all. Life is good.
- KiplingMike,
I enjoyed the guest you had on yesterday before the game, who was he?
Thought he had some interesting insights.
Have you talked to Eck laterly? They showed him on the bench a few times yesterday and he looked like he was off on his own looking sullen. I feel like the Jays owe him to either trade him or release him. I don’t think he deserves to be 3rd or 4th (when/ if Hill comes back) on the depth chart.
MW: That was Spencer Fordin, who covers the Orioles for mlb.com but used to cover the Jays. Eckstein came up to me today to say hi, he was kidding around with Brian Butterfield and John McDonald when the line-up was posted. I don’t think he’s sullen at all.
- JWHi Mike
Tough game yesterday.Talk about a hangover after getting high on on the Doc’s script.Although Litsh wasn’t great I believe if the defence makes it’s plays he would have battled like he has all year long.It is a shame with all the injuries right now it is two very reliable players that made two costly errors.I guess it happens,hopefully Burnett can give us 5 innings and we could go into the allstar break on a high.On another note was the ump a closet Yankee fan or did he have something against Litsh.To me it seemed he was squeezing Litsh and a couple of strikes he called on Stairs and Overbay were ridiculous.I would like your thoughts so I don’t go buy glasses for no reason.
mario
GoJays!!!
MW: I didn’t find the strike zone all that unusual for a Yankee game.
- marioMike, Why are they starting AJ tonight? Is it because we have a better chance to win with him on or are they trying to showcase as much as possible for the scouts? Also, I haven’t heard much on Stewart lately — what’s the deal with his injury??
MW: Both, and I’ve updated Stewart’s situation a few times lately.
- sandyIf I were a betting man, I’d bet Burnett does well today and we get the W.
The Jays are still 11-7 in their last 18 games, and this without Marcum. And we all know how well they did in May without Wells. Now they’ve lost McGowan, but may be getting Marcum get. I’ll take that trade. And it seems like the Rays are starting to slide.
All that to say, I wouldn’t throw in the towel yet, because you never know.
This brings me to my next comment. Why is everybody so sure Burnett will be traded. We’ve all heard rumblings about the fact that this may be Ricciardi’s last year as GM, if the Jays don’t make the playoffs. If that’s the case, I would think that he’d be holding on to his best assets in an attempt to make the “miracle” happen. If that’s the case, he’d keep Burnett, because the rotation would definitely look shaky without his presence.
Personally, I’d rather have Burnett in there for the rest of the year, entertaining me, than getting some B prospect that might never make an impact in the majors.
I suppose if they’re still 9 or 10 games out on July 31st, at that point it would make sense to trade him.
- ReneMike, do you think the rays are really for real or will they do what millwakee did last year? (surprise every one then play terribly down the stretch)
MW: I’ve answered this question at least 100 times over the last few weeks.
- AdamIf you look at the personnel the jays put on the field yesterday it is no wonder they struggled offensively. That was as weak a lineup as any played in the majors this year. The team does not have that much depth. Also, what is this lovefest in the media with Marco Scutaro. Jerry and Alan said the other day he should probably be the MVP of the team. Is that a bad joke or something? Mulliniks loves him as well. The guy is an average player on an average team. He is not an everyday player on a good team. Just look at his offensive stats for all the games he has played. Not impressive at all.
MW: I believe Scutaro is last among the Jays’ regulars in OPS. I don’t understand all the love, either. I admire the fact that he’s willing to do whatever he needs to do to stay in the line-up, and is able to play decently all over the field.
- aviMike:
I haven’t been paying attention to MLB over the last few years due to a busy job.
Obviously the internet has made a big change in being a baseball fan, just as it has everywhere.
There is something I don’t understand….why does everybody want to trade half of the Jays team for PROSPECTS???
I just read a comment on another site about trading one or two of the Jays lefty relievers for some prospects.
Maybe I’m wrong but I would like to see the Jays have some MLB players, not prospects. OK so the Jays PROBABLY won’t finish 2008 in the playoffs, but if we trade for prospects, there is no way we get to the playoffs in 2008, and maybe not in 2009.
Am I missing something here?
Thanks, Steve
MW: Only that most relievers are relatively easy to replace, and if a team isn’t in a race and can get value for someone who isn’t going to be a future impact guy, why not?
- SteveWOK Sunday’s game has just started. Inglett is in CF. I know that I asked about Joe playing CF. But does Cito read this blog, or was it just something that had to happen sooner or later?
Steve
MW: Cito very obviously took our advice.
- SteveWMike,
Want to know something really embarrassing about the Jays offense?
Bengie Molina has a higher BA (.290) and more RBI (56) than any Blue Jay. He has 14 more RBI than any player on the Jays!!!
YIKES!
MW: That’s rough, but Bengie is having a very good year.
- MitchThis is for JP. Please do yourself a favour and get rid of that bum Lyle Overbay.
- Vito From HamiltonMarco…….SCUTARO!
- Vito From HamiltonIs it just me, or as John MacDonald been not nearly as sharp defensively as he has been in the past.
MW: It’s just you.
- B.ViddyWas that rational enough for you Mike?
MW: If you started to be rational, I don’t know what I’d do.
- Vito From HamiltonMike, you must be nuts. Why would you have Alex Rodriguez then Derek Jeter in the postseason? Alex Rodriguez is a great regular season player, but he sucks when it comes to postseason play. Derek Jeter has proven can be consitant in the rugular season and post season.
MW: Alex Rodriguez is a better hitter than Derek Jeter, but he’s had three bad post-season series in a row. I’ll still take the better hitter.
- samDo you think this A.J burnett last start in a toronto blue jay uniform?
MW: Could be, but I doubt it.
- andrewThat was the sound of the air being sucked out of the Blue Jays’ mini-resurgence
..Mike, I was at the first 2 games at Rogers Centre this series and I disagree that this sound existed after yesterdays game…if you truly believe the Jays can make a run in the 2nd half, and part of me wants to believe this a team that has won 4 out of 5 and really pumping out the hits has nothing to be ashamed of and this can stil lbe viewed as a mini resurgance. Resurgances do not require you to win every night, you know better than anyone this is the case. Dont use deflating comments such as this, let them surge and on the way lose a few here and there.
MW: It was more a reflection of the way they lost and the dreary feeling at the Dome after the first inning yesterday. Part of me wants to believe they can climb back into it, too, but given the injuries that’s just not realistic. They’ll need a miracle.
- MatthewRegarding Shannon Stewart…
on one of the tv broadcasts recently (Fri I think), they said something like he is still unable to turn his ankle, so he’s still a ways off.
Steve
MW: Yup, can’t move laterally yet.
- SteveWRE Scutaro…recently I commented on the Jays bench strength, specifically Scutaro and Inglett. Yeah, I know that they seem more like starters at the moment, but they wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for injuries. Scutaro has now played in 83 games only Overbay & Rios have been in more.
I could quote some of his batting & fielding numbers, but he could be the top hitter on the Jays and it wouldn’t mean a darn thing (would you want to be the best of this bunch?).
I think the reason for much of the media love is that they realize how bad this team’s record would be if the bench (specifically Scutaro, Inglett, and Barajas) hadn’t come through.
Steve
MW: That could very well be, and Scoot is the focal point of that, I guess.
- SteveWFor all the moaning about Rolen, as late as June 30 his OPS was .851
He’s simply slumped in July (until today) going 4/36 in 10 games.
I don’t think I’ll get into a panic and start calling for Troy Glaus on the basis of a 10 game slump.
And as I type, Ryan just closed out AJ’s wonderful performance for the win
Eight and a third innings of great pitching and only 98 pitches. May well be his best outing of the season.
One wonders if the folks who screamed in anguish about what a mistake this was will retract their comments?
MW: I think I’ve only seen one retraction ever on here. Maybe two. I wonder what all those Rays fans are up to?
- WillRainKeep the sarcasm to yourself.
MW: Have you moved out of that glass house?
- brunoMike, I’m a fan of Jesse Litsch, but he’s not the best 5th starter in baseball.
Jon Lester – BOS
Joe Saunders – LAA
John Danks (or Gavin Floyd) – CWS
Would you rather have Jesse Litch over any of those guys? I wouldn’t.
MW: I wouldn’t, either, nor Cliff Lee. But none of those guys are fifth starters anymore, Litsch still is.
- JohnMike,
Good game today for the Jays and A.J.; he sure came with the good stuff today. On a seperate note I wanted to make a comment on team chemistry. I find your explanation that “winning produces good team chemistry and not the other way around” half satisfying and half dissatisfying. While I agree that it is difficult for a winning team to have bad team chemistry, this speaks nothing to the different types of chemistry a loosing team can have and the effect that bad chemistry can have on a struggling team. I have played on many different sports teams in my day and I find that teams with discructive characters are fine while winning (becuase it is fairly hard to complain, or only think about oneself when everything is going good). It is when the team is struggling that a few guys with the wrong attitude can make a bad situation go to worse. When some guys clearly are not playing for the team then it makes other guys care less about the team as well and take it more as a job. On the other hand I have been on some teams that were struggling where every one was still working hard and staying positive and it helped. It doesn’t make you better then your talent is but it helps. Often the season will come around in the end or you will get out of a slump earlier then you would otherwise. A locker room full of level headed professionals who love the game never stays down for that long.
I will leave you with a question. Do you think that loosing produces bad team chemistry, or is is it the other way around? I think it is a bit of both.
Jeff
MW: I have seen a few losing teams with terrific chemistry, and a few winning teams with players who couldn’t stand each other. Did you play professionally?
- JeffHey Mike!
Why don’t the Jays ever play on Sunday Night Baseball? I watch the Sunday night game every week because Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Peter Gammons are awesome on ESPN. When the Jays are at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park for a weekend series, they should broadcast a game on Sunday night.
Also, who do you think will win the Home Run Derby tomorrow?
MW: When the Jays get good, they’ll be on Sunday Night Baseball. The HR Derby? I’m hoping for Justin Morneau.
- FrankyMike,
Ken Rosenthal’s latest has it that the Phillies are not interested in Burnett.
MW: Ken Rosenthal is not Pat Gillick.
- brunoI was at the game. Excellent game. If they’re putting AJ in the shop window, his price just went up.
I saw MacDonald make at least two saves that would have caused major trouble if the ball had gotten through him. He didn’t manage to throw the runner out at first base, but I think that would have been beyond difficult both times. Would it not be possible to start him most games? It’s true that we need more offense than we have, but the hitters are beginning to come round. He truly is an extraordinary defensive s/s and, ok, he doesn’t hit. But he won’t ever get better at that until he gets to hit more often.
MW: At 32, there’s little reason to believe that he’ll ever be better at hitting. If there’s enough offense coming from all the other spots, there’s no reason not to play Mac.
- reyesIt’s painful to watch Johnny Mac bat. I literally change the channel everytime I see a bat in his hands. He got a hit today(close to a miracle), but I think he’s hands down the worst hitter in MLB. Can yout think of anyone worse?(non-pitchers ofcourse)
Mike, i am a big fireball fan. Joel Zumaya is a guy I love to watch, he throws a wicked 103mph fastballs on regular basis. Would you rather have a talent like that in your bullpen or a finesse type pitcher who mixes ‘em up. For me there’s nothing better than seeing the radar gun registering 100mph+ speeds on a regular basis.
MW: Radar guns don’t impress me. I’d rather have a pitcher who can change speeds and put a pitch through the eye of a needle.
- Beburg aka The relief pitcherMr.T would look pretty good on deck, no?
- Vito From Hamiltonhey mike
I know Buck Coats is injured or atleast thats what I have heard, Do you think, the Blue Jays wil bring him up after the Allstar game?
Great affort by Aj!
MW: I wonder if he isn’t in the plans beyond the all-star game. I know they would rather have had him up over Mench if he hadn’t been hurt. But Mench’s two doubles today didn’t hurt his cause.
- Hardeepduring his first tenure with the jays i recalled thinkin’ that cito gaston was worn out an’ needed a change as far as bein’ a mannager was concerned, he was at times frustrated with the influx of youth that he was given to manage . . . i remember him sayin’ something to the manner of “you can’t win with kids” . . . he had gained weight an’ it all took it’s toll on him . . .now he is back, rejuvinated an’ refreshed an’ it is apparent that he has a special talent as a major league manager . . . i believe that one reason why he has been overlooked by so many clubs in need of a manager had to do with his particular brand of eloquence, now cito has curbed his use of the term “hisself” which seems to reflect negatively on his intelligence an’ consequently major league teams willingness to hire him as a big league manager . . . of course this is a great oversight since in sports there are often much more involved in the inner machinations of the on field an’ off field functions of a team than the pundits allow us to see . . . what is very clear to me this time around with cito is that he is a baseball intuitive . . . he knows the game an’ it’s inner function at an very illite level, his understandin’ of players an’his instinct does not assure victory but it does allow for a greater opportunity to win . . . in a way he knows how the game ought to be played . . .
- anchellHow is Litsch still a 5th starter in a rotation without Marcum and McGowan? How do you determine who is a fifth starter? I’m not sure I understand your response. These are the rotations that I mentioned:
BOS
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Wakefield
Lester
Buchholtz
So I might agree with you about Boston, though I still like Buchholtz’s future over Litsch’s.
LAA
Lackey
Santana
Weaver
Garland
Saunders
Who’s the fifth starter in this rotation if it’s not Saunders? Is it Weaver? Garland? Santana? I’d take any of them over Litsch.
CWS
Buehrle
Contreras
Vazquez
Danks
Floyd
Would you take Litsch over any of these White Sox? One of them has to be considered the fifth starter.
Again, I like Litsch and to be honest, I thought he would get killed this year. I’m glad he’s the fifth starter on the Jays. But he’s not the best fifth starter in baseball.
MW: You make a pretty good point – I’d list the 5th guys on those lists right now as Buchholz, probably Weaver and Contreras. Let’s leave it at this: Litsch is very, very good at being a 5th starter.
- JohnHey #3 so much for your GUARANTEE!!!.
MW: I never hear back from the people who make guarantees, unless it’s the 2% of the time that they’re right.
- KD