5:50 PM Eastern
Sweet mother of Cheez Whiz.
I mean, come on.
Seriously.
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Copyright © 2010 by Rogers Broadcasting Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
5:50 PM Eastern
Sweet mother of Cheez Whiz.
I mean, come on.
Seriously.
Copyright © 2010 by Rogers Broadcasting Limited. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy
Good thing theres a break tomorrow. Or else Carlson wouldn’t be able to pitch Friday.
- TerryCan I post something that might be irrational yet? lol.
- DooloxThis one was seriously painful…..Doc + clutch hitting = loss……ouch, that’s gotta hurt.
- fatguyLegendary Blog Post
- Nick "The Greek"Mike,
When this team struggles they just can’t win for trying, can they? Great offense, no pitching. Great pitching, no offense. Argh!!!
I am going to Toronto this Saturday to see the game against the Sox. Despite it all I am excited and optimistic.
I still think the glass if half full, but maybe with a pin-hole leak in the bottom.
Besides, this losing streak can’t last forever….can it?
MW: It most certainly can’t, and the thing no one seems to realize is that even with a nine-game losing streak, this team that wasn’t expected to do anything this season is only two games out of first place.
- Darren in Carleton PlaceLots of words to describe todays loss. BRUTAL, AWFUL, JOKE, No one could have expected this at all. Sweep Chicago, then lose 9 straight. Come on boys, get your heads out of your a***s. Mr. Wolfe, Mr Ryan should be hanging thier heads low. Hey Mike, what do they do with BJ Ryan, release and eat next year’s salary?
MW: Just Ryan and Wolfe? They only blew a two-run lead. What about Carlson and Downs? No, Ryan won’t be released all that soon.
- Jason DeneaultDear Mike,
Please allow me, one of your loyal listeners and fans, to return the favour you do for so many of us every day and talk you off the ledge.
A) There’s a whole lot of season left.
2) Even if the $%@&ing Red Sox win tonight the Blue Jays are still only 2.5 games back. Considering this was supposed to be a throw away development year, that’s still pretty darn good.
iii) The offense is certainly showing some signs of life again.
[insert something humourous to denote the fourth bullet point in a list here]) Like every Hollywood movie from the last 80 years has taught us: Rock bottom is the point our heroes have to get to before they can turn it around, beat whatever seemingly insurmountable odds they’re facing, and win the day!
All that being said, the outcome of this game sucked more than any other baseball game I think I’ve ever seen.
Shoot. Guess I shouldn’t have ended on such a downer. Now I need some ledge-talking-down myself.
Anyway, hope your head’s feeling better.
Siguy
p.s. Do you anticipate any move for Carlson after this (and other recent eff-ups)? That is, either being sent down or else used only in even less high-stress situations than a five run lead? I’m not being a hater, just wonderin’ is all.
MW: Cito remains loyal, some say to a fault, so while he’ll likely back off Carlson a bit because he’s pitched so much, it’s not unlikely that we’ll still see Jesse get the ball to try to get a big out quite a bit.
- SiguyReally? Lose a game with Halladay pitching and an 8-2 lead. Really? Lose a 2 run lead in the 11th - Really?
Maybe this will at least get Cito to stop using Carlson instead of Frasor in the setup role.
The team is springing some serious leaks in the bullpen. They have only two reliable bullpen pitchers now and Cito doesn’t seem to like one of them (Frasor).
MW: Two reliable pitchers? Well, Downs has a strained hammy, so it may be just one.
- Jim MaronI went to work when the Jays were up 8-3. I check back an hour later.. 12-10?
I love ‘em. No way I’m going to leave ‘em now. ANd we’re still only what, 3.5 games out of first.
It seems like Cito is leaving Carlson in to get shelled.. tho none of the bullpen was particularly efficient.
Here’s a crazy idea- put Janssen into the bullpen, instead of the starting rotation.
Mike I don’t envy you your job at the moment.
MW: I still have a great job. And they’re only two games out now, just 1 1/2 after that Wednesday game.
- Sam McLeanLet’s hope this is rock bottom because if it get’s worse than this then it’s going to be harder to watch!
- FredIt happens to everyone…and sometimes the bottom needs to be hard so they can re-group? Cito is a good guy for this situation…I know one thing A. Hill should be an All Star this year…that was clutch even though the bullpen didn’t hold it.
MW: It’s awesome that some will give credit to Cito for the 27-14 start and not be upset with him about an 0-9.
- GaryHi Mike:
What a disaster. I would love to see Halladay rip on Cito (some very questionable bullpen management), Carlson and Wolfe. That was just plain pathetic.
Wolfe and most certainly, Carlson needs to be sent AAA. Recall Cecil and bring up Castro to let them pitch out of the pen. I don’t know what is going through Cito’s head with this BP. First, I would have ridden Halladay out for another inning. Second, I’m taking my chances with Downs and Frasor (he pitched great) any day of the week over Carlson, Camp and Ryan. Wolfe….rolf!!!!1
Good news. Well, its only another 4 starts before we Halladay again.
Brendon
MW: So you would derail the development of two potentially very good starters just to plug a couple of leaks in the bullpen?
- BrendonYou were exactly on target. Like a kick in the nuts.
- Kelly PfeifferI work outside. Today I spent 10+ hours in the rain. I then capped off my day by listening to the Jays game from about the seventh inning and on. I never should have turned the radio on.
Ultimately it’s just a game, but I feel so low right now. Sweet mother of cheez whiz indeed.
MW: You should feel low, it was your fault. If you had never turned the radio on, they’d have won.
- DannoHard to recall an uglier loss than that meltdown today. You called it correctly yesterday with your Lind comment and today’s boxscore makes it very apparent. Despite some excellent effort today from a majority of the players, the loss can be traced to the Lind-ometer. Adam Lind remains in a real bad funk. Like it or not he appears to be the straw that stirs the drink this year.
Here’s what I’m going to do with the 2 nights off. 1) I’m going to rewatch my 1993 “Back to Back” video, and 2) I’m going to think about the fact that even though the Jays have dropped 9 in a row, no other American League team has more wins than the Jays right now.
Being 14 games over .500 has benefits. The season is not over people.
MW: Not even close to over.
- RezMike, if you can come up with any reason Carlson had to be brought in yet again - 26 appearances already - and allowed to pitch to that many batters, I’d be fascinated to hear it.
MW: The only thing I can think of is that with the off-day coming and an eight-game losing streak going, Cito wanted his set-up man to work the 8th and his closer to work the 9th to be done with it.
- Rick JonesSeason over! Done and done. It is hard to be a HUGE fan and watch this, my Heart can’t handle this stress! I get grumpier and grumpier. Why do we as fans care so much! I need counseling after all this. If Wolfe is our best bet Mama Mia!
Cito has to take some criticism for the handling of the Pen.
Over/Under:
A. Jays next win June. 6th?
B. Jays homers rest of the season 30?
C. Halladay beats a reliever up with a bat after next 2 starts?
D. Wilner takes Grey Goose to the studio with him, 7 Jays talks?
E. Paper Bagged Fans tomorrow 1500?
MW: I’m hoping all those over/unders were jokes. Otherwise you really do need some counseling!
- tony43I think the days of Jesse Carlson pitching against right handed batters should be over.
MW: I think that might be a little harsh.
- AnthonyBest.
Blog.
EVER.
What else can you say?
- Scott BWhat has happened to Jesse Carlson the last 3 weeks? Are there any mechanical flaws in his delivery or has the league figured him out.
MW: It doesn’t really have to be one or the other - he could just be pitching badly.
- Mike WJays suck. Period.
MW: Well, over the last nine games, yeah.
- MarcoCheez Whiz does not wish to be associated in any way with the Toronto Blue Jays at this time.
We are trying to maintain a family friendly image.
Thank you for your co-operation.
- Tom Stackman Kraft PR DepartmentHey Mike
Firstly, I laughed out loud when I read todays post…..really funny. I know you want logical comments on this blog but I need to vent. I know Alex Rios is not the reason the Jays have lost nine games….(although I think he hit .250 with one RBI on the road trip, which certainly didn’t help)……I’m just at the point where its difficult to watch him now. His latest “head in the clouds” play today is just inexcusable….just another example of why this guy will never be a superstar consistenly in this league (in my opinion)….yes, you see some stars make mental errors, but not with the regularity that Rios does it…don’t you have some players that just grate on you, Mike?
MW: Yeah, but not like that. They’re human, and it would be impossible for any of them to maintain the level of focus that most fans would want. Rios is definitely way above-average in the wandering-mind department, though, for sure.
- SamHi Mike,
Wow. The only sure thing in life ( and baseball) is that nothing is for sure.
My husband (Yankees fan) and I will be in Toronto for the next 6 games, so here’s hoping the Jays get back on track.
Two questions. #1 Which gate should I enter to get to the top (500) level the quickest ? I have been to Jays games many times, but have never made the hike up there.
#2 Why do the players spit so much ? I can understand the players that use chewing tobacco, but what about the guys that chew gum or nothing at all ? Just wondering.
Keep up the good work . I am sure you’ve been dreading even looking at these comments, and hopefully they’re not as bad as you thought they would be.
MW: 1 - Good question. I don’t know. I guess it would be Gate 7, so you can take the elevator. If you want to make the hike, I’m thinking the gate printed on your ticket would be the fastest. 2 - When you play sports, you have to spit. It’s a rule.
- kimSuccincticity.
I like it.
- Matt McLeanHey Mike
With the recent struggles in the bullpen, is it time to bring up Jeremy Accardo? If not Accardo, do you think JP will make a move for the “sake of making a move” before the Red Sox series?
MW: I thought he might, but he didn’t.
- JoshIf this is rock bottom. I don’t mind. Still only a few games back. If less is more this is the best post all year.
- AGray97I still believe.
LOL, you summed up it perfectly sir.
- "Hollywood" Hulk HoganHi Mike, why did Scott Downs only stay in for a fraction of an inning??
MW: He got lit up for one, and has a hamstring strain, for two.
- AlexOn a positive note.
My gang and I booked our flight, hotel, and tickets for the games in Washington.
The series is June 19-21.
You think the streak will be over by then?
MW: Uh-huh.
- SlobberfaceAAAAARGH!!!!!
Mike,
You know which bullpen pitcher pitched the best today? Jason Frasor.
You know who Cito’s going to run out there first next time? Jesse Carlson, BJ Ryan, and possibly Shawn Camp.
What does he have against Mr. Frasor?
MW: He’s short and he’s quiet.
- JordieMy sentiments exactly. I nearly fell off my chair reading this one. Hehe!!!
Great comment.
Take care Mike.
- TroyThis loss was the definition of EPIC FAIL.
- Kareem RamadanOw, Ow, Ow.
- kitaMike, I wish you really did sugar coat things, today’s game could use it.
No question, just commiseration. Guess we all have to hang tough a little longer.
Deep breath everybody, ride’s not over yet!
Thanks Mike.
Hey Mike,
Sounds like you’re getting frustrated too.
MW: That was a very frustrating game to watch.
- Mike Mmike,
is this the end?
MW: Of?
- DiegoWatching Rios get tagged out at second after beating out the throw was pretty frustrating. When an ump makes a safe or out call like that do they usually do it entirely by arm gestures or will they also make the call verbally? I’m assuming in this case none was made (because if the ump actually said something then what Rios did is indefensible) but would a player in this kind of situation (back to the ump) have a reasonable expectation of being able to hear the call?
Thanks,
MW: According to Alan Ashby, there is almost always a verbal call along with the sign being made. Thing is, though, if you don’t hear “out!”, you don’t come off the bag.
- DrewWell. That was 1 for the ages. Time for someone to let Cito know its not 1992. Or 1993. When you’ve lost 8 in a row, a win is everything. Halladay goes 7, bring in Frasor for 8 and Downs for 9, thats it. Especially with tomorrows day off. That was embarassing. Pencilling in Rios and Wells at 3 and 4 is ridiculous. They ain’t part of WAMCO. Is B.J. hurt? Cito overmanages the 11th inning relief, and shows way too much loyalty to Rios and Wells. Oxymoronic I think. Karma is killing the Blow Jays, time to axe JP, bring Cito back to the future, and trade for Adam Dunn. Wouldn’t he look great in a Jays uniform about now. Instead he opted to play for that tradition rich Nationals team because nobody wanted him, and that loud mouth lying JP killed any chance of us getting him. Worst road stand in franchise history, eh? Does that count the expansion years, too?
MW: It does. Dunn didn’t sign with the Nationals because he didn’t opt to play for the Jays. He signed with the Nationals because no one would offer him the contract he wanted, and only the Nats came close. Good on them, as it turns out.
- daveThis one hurt Mike, this really really hurt
- SeanMike, Can we expect to see Accardo soon? If so, who do you see getting bumped?
MW: I would have thought we’d have seen him by now, for Camp. But not so much.
- SandyBest blog ever.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
If you can think of a worse Jays loss, I would love to know what it was.
MW: Oh, there have been many. The last game of 1987 leaps to mind. So do the six games prior to it.
- GriffThis kind of garbage sure doesn’t help us in trying to keep Doc in Toronto.
MW: A has nothing to do with B.
- MattAnother question, how long are they going to keep running Beej out there?
MW: Until he gets hurt again?
- MattConcussions during volleyball??? You see, Mike, this is what happens when old farts try to be athletic.
On a serious note, if you have had “lots of concussions” before, I would stop with all the sports nonsense. You see what happened to Liam Neeson’s poor wife. She took a mild tumble while skiing and died and it was the first time it happened to her.
You have got young kids, is all of this dopey sports stuff really worth it?
MW: That’s why I went to the hospital.
- AlanQuick couple of things I wanted to run by you Mike (sorry if someone else has suggested it all ready, been busy haven’t had time to listen or check the blog.
1. Why is Cito leaning on Carlson so much? Frasor has only had one bad game all season and it appears he prefers Jesse in the role Downs had previously.
2. Scott Downs is missed in the middle innings. So I want to run this idea by you. Put someone else in the closers role (Frasor or Accardo assuming the splitter is back) and put Downs back in the middle innings. I think they need him there more than in the 9th.
MW: 1 - See above. 2 - I might agree, if he wasn’t hurt.
- Pramit BoseThis is utterly gut wrenching. I have a hard time understanding how a team can go from playing so well, and i mean incredibly well to extremely terrible and pathetic. This is one of the lowest points in Blue Jays history, considering how well this season started. Mike what can be done to help this team? I think they need a big and scary bat hitting in the middle of the lineup. I know there isn’t really anyone available like this right now but some lesser names that may be available could be Johnson or Franceur. I know JF has struggled, but is still young-could a flyer be taken out on him?-I think Boston is.
MW: This is not one of the lowest points in Blue Jays history - at least, not top 10 or anything like that. Francoeur is a big scary bat? You’re kidding, right? And Kelly Johnson? Really?
- JasonI have never agreed with you more kind sir.
shame that your blog post almost ended up being a haiku.
MW: It’s a shame that it almost WAS a haiku, or a shame that I didn’t wind up making it a haiku?
- ChristopherWhy is everyone getting so excited. This is just a team that was picked to finish last place doing just that.
MW: Doing just what? Being two games out of first place?
- daveMy Dad and I went to Fenway Park last week to see the Jays against Boston. It was the first game of the series and it was a sweet trip.
But, since then, the Jays havn’t won a game and today, when I was walking home from school, I saw a dead baby blue jay on someones driveway. I dont usually think this way but I am wondering if this is a sign. jk
However, my Dad and I are going to see Tim Wakefield pitch on Friday again and I hope that when we see the Jays again that they win and never would I have believed that it if you told me that the Jays woudn’t win a game until we came home from Boston, and went to their game at the Rogers Centre a week and a half later.
MW: If they win today, you’re never allowed to go see them play in Boston again.
- ChadThat was as horrible a mismanagement of pitching as I have seen since Gibbons left town.
I do not want to be called a 2nd guesser either because as it was happening I said in no way should Downs have been out there in the 8th. Should have been Frasor in the 8th & Downs in the 9th.
But after you make that mistake, why don’t you come back with Downs in the 9th anyway? He only threw 10 pitches. Then you would have had Frasor in the 10th & 11th.
Either way it stinks and there’s no excuse for losing that one. Hopefully the bats have woken up and the Jays have a good homestand. And Cito doesn’t try and out think himself.
MW: I didn’t have a problem with going to Downs in the 8th, but I would have gone to Frasor to start that inning, not Carlson. Downs didn’t come back out, I think, because of his sore hammy.
- Shawn in CaledonHello,
Wow, things are pretty pretty bad right now. Mike, yesterday you said: “In 2010, this team should be a monster.” How exactly do you figure? You’re obviously factoring Marcum and McGowan hopefully healthy. Snider, Lind a year older…but still, a “monster”? What else makes you feel so optomistic about ‘10?
MW: The fact that in ‘10 Marcum and McGowan should be healthy, Lind and Snider will have another year under their belts, and guys like Romero, Cecil and Janssen (among others) will be farther along. All that improvement to a team that’s just two games out of first place right now.
- ShaneWill the real Blue Jays please stand up? oh sorry they did 9 games ago.
MW: A ridiculous comment.
- JimWell said, Wilner.
Seriously.
- EricLove the post. What more can you say?
Couple of things. Why not leave Halladay in for the 8th, considering he will have the next 5 days off?
Also, (and I’m not sure why I or anyone else continues to beat this to death), but why not Overbay as a defensive replacement? He most likely comes up with that second hit in the 11th.
Finally, Rios. Overall decent game, 2 hits, great catch on Markakis in foul territory bottom of 7. But his instints on the basepaths are atrocious. Rance noticed during the top of the 1st that he could have scored had he been taking a more liberal lead off 2nd, considering he wasn’t being held. And how about that wandering off base when he was originally called safe? Pay attention man!
Would love to hear your opinion on any one of these observations.
Thanks as always.
MW: Halladay seemed to struggle through the 7th, and a five-run lead with six outs to go should be safe, so I didn’t have a problem going to the bullpen there. I think Overbay should always come in for defense late, but Cito doesn’t. As for Rios, I wouldn’t say his instincts on the bases are atrocious, but I would say his focus can be.
- Rob H.Couldn’t have said it better (without using some choice words).
Were do they go from here (besides shipping the entire team off to Vegas)?
MW: Home to play the Red Sox.
- VavaDare I advise that we “look on the bright side — at least they got some hits with RISP”?
So now I guess we worry (even more) about the bullpen slump.
And does anyone else think that the problems in the pen back right up to having Tallet in the rotation? It just seems that they are “one LH arm short” in the pen — it should have been BJ, but clearly Cito doesn’t have any faith in him any more.
For today, it should have been Frasor in the 8th, Downs in the 9th. (I could even accept Downs in the 8th for two innings, if he had no problems, with Frasor as back-up).
The ideal for future situations, is that Tallet is available for the 7th, having been replaced by Litsch or “whoever”. Until that can happen, if the starter gets through only five or six, then “mix & match” the sixth & seventh with Carlson, League, Ryan & Camp, and then go Frasor/Downs (or even Downs/Frasor if the matchups fit better).
Finally, Richmond was warming up at one point — just getting work, or is he now a relief option?
MW: Tallet was never really the 7th inning guy when he was in the bullpen. Him being in the rotation isn’t the reason for the issues. Richmond is in the bullpen because he’s the 5th starter, and with all the off-days, he’s not slated to start until next Saturday.
- NormHey Mike, tough time to be a Jays fan. Why is Cito using Carlson every night? I would have gone with Frasor relieving Doc in the 8th and then Downs close it out. Also in the bottom of the 11th, why go with Millar at first. Obviously, Lyle is a better defensive first baseman? Thanks, Mike
MW: See above.
- tom stewMike,
I’m sure there’s a lot of posts just like this, but call it therapy. This hurts. It’s almost too cruel to comprehend. Yes we were overachieving and the bubble had to burst but to be 13 games above .500 and now this….talk about worst case scenario!
The tragic thing is…I don’t think it’s going to end anytime soon.
In my mind, what we really lack is a monster RBI guy. It’s amazing that when we led the league in runs scored, we didn’t have anyone in the top 5 rbi’s in the AL. It’s great that all the batters were contributing, but I just think the lack of a dominant hitter is the biggest gap in our lineup.
Anyway, I’m depressed. Talk about having the wind taken out of your sails.
Personally, I blame Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated and the SI curse in general. He never has anything good to say about the Jays and after the Chicago sweep casually mentioned “that the more he sees of the Jays, the more impressed he is by them”
thanks for nothing buddy.
MW: Yep, all his fault. I’ll agree more with the fact that they lack a dominant hitter than that they lack a “monster RBI guy”.
- Oz RobHello, Mr. Wilner,
To save time, I recommend cutting and pasting today’s entry.
Have a good morning,
- MoyashiRidiculous game today. I thought they had it..
I don’t understand why Cito didn’t make some obvious choices though. Carlson in the 8th? I don’t like what I have seen from Carlson recently and he’s there in the 8th right after Halladay. But 5 runs? Why didn’t he get pulled? Better yet why didn’t Frasor pitch the 8th?
Then Hill hits a 2-run homer. Wolfe and B.J Ryan? Again, why not Downs who is the Closer?
MW: Carlson only actually gave up two runs while he was in the game, it’s not as though he was left in to give up all five. Downs gave up the inherited runners, which is why Downs wasn’t brought in in the 11th. He’d been used.
- Eric CMike,
i know you don’t like my posts, based on the fact they never get posted. But, come on, Cito has made bad choices this year and got lucky. But baseball is like you said”everything evens out”. His bad decisions cost us a game with Cleveland. He brought in League ahead of Fraser. We all kow League gives up runs, much like B.J.
Now today, Halladay should have thrown 120 pitches, he never would have given up 5 runs in the 8th. Bad decisions and bad play equal”Sweet mother of Cheez Whiz”
When do you think, the Jays will get serious and fire J.P., trade Wells for a shorter bad contract and get a decent bat for Rios and a good young arm.
Or are with stuck with the hope that maybe we will be a 500 team???
MW: I don’t think Halladay should have thrown 120 pitches, there shouldn’t have been a need to. If League “gives up runs” every time out, he shouldn’t be in the major leagues. I like how you just threw the “fire J.P.” in there, too.
- ChrisHey, that’s just what we were all thinking. How did you know?
- Greg WMike, how does BJ Ryan completely lose it from one season to the next? I don’t get it. If there is not something structurally wrong with his arm/shoulder/elbow how does this happen?
I checked the gameday boxscores from when BJ was closing games in May of `08 and he was throwing 91-92 mph consistently post-surgery. Now it’s 86-88 mph with max effort.
If it’s not something physical then it must be mechanical, no? But how does a guy get his mechanics so messed up during one off-season? This whole situation makes no sense to me and the Jays once deep bullpen has suffered greatly for it.
MW: Ryan never consistently threw 91-92 post-surgery. He didn’t even throw 92 consistently the two years pre-surgery. The dropoff from a regular 89 to a regular 86 doesn’t make any sense to me, either.
- McLovinit’s funny.
at one point our bullpen seemed to be our strongest point, and the best in the league.
But over these past nine games, it’s not like everyone of those nine, we’ve had bad games from our starters. More and more our bullpen has been losing us games.
Do i dare say we could become this years mets?
i hope not.
MW: They’re a long way from becoming the Mets. They’d have to be in first place the last weekend of the season, for one.
- Kamran KaramchiThis team has no heart…and what was Cito doing using Wolff to finish up that game?? (shaking my head)
MW: Congratulations on being the first to play the intangible card.
- Darryl SYou know it was only a matter of time before the bullpen explodes as it did. This proves how valuable Scott Downs was as a setup man. Moving him to the closer role left the bullpen too thin with no stud to fill the void.
MW: I don’t think the entire bullpen blowing up on Wednesday proves Downs was a valuable set-up man.
- LeoThis one is going to do lasting damage, unlike the last 8. The bullpen disgusts me. Don’t feel sorry for them — just get rid of them. The guy to feel sorry for is Roy. How can he stand it? It will be shocking if he resigns with this club. Mind you the Jays might not really try to resign him. Haven’t we seen that movie before?
It’s mission critical that the Jays win the Bosox series. If not then a downward spiral will be confirmed that will be a real factor in the season’s results. No, it won’t be forgotten in a month. It’s more likely that it will be cited as the turning point at season’s end. There’s still a chance to turn this thing around but it needs to start this weekend.
MW: If the Jays don’t make a playoff push, there’s no question this losing streak will be seen as the turning point of the season. That said, it’s a big leap to go from there to “Halladay isn’t coming back” and “release the whole bullpen.”
- JCSuccinct, and bang on. Although by the 11th you had to see that one coming. Can Doc go on 18 hours rest?
MW: I think most people thought that Hill’s home run was going to be enough to win it.
- WDMI don’t think there is anything else to say at this point. Do you think Cito should have left BJ Ryan in to pitch the rest of the 11th. I guess this shows how little faith he has in him.
MW: I don’t understand a lot of the things about the way Cito works his bullpen.
- BrandonMIKE!!! WHAT IS THIS!! INTERNETS!!
MW: Huh?
- J-rocI actually came home early from work to watch this debacle! I don’t even know what to say…….
- Danny from TorontoYup.
8-3 lead — blown.
10-8 lead in the 10th — blown.
Jessie Carleson needs to work some –you know what– out. I hear Las Vegas is gorgeous this time of year.
Scottie D was rusty and to use him exclusively as a closer obviously is not a good idea.
Brian Wolfe… err.. seriously?
The positive? We broke out of the scoring drought. Putting 10 runs on the board is almost as many as they scored in the first 8 losses of this losing streak. So, step in the right direction.
So, here’s the irony. Our starting pitching was always suspect from the start… and it’s been very strong. I mean, VERY strong.
Still not convinced that Janssen and Romero were an upgrade over Cecil and Ray (well, ok maybe Ray). But when Litsch comes back, SOMEONE needs to go to the bullpen.
Carleson & Wolfe should head back to Vegas and bring in Cecil & Accardo for some middle-to-late relief. They can’t be any worse than what’s happening now.
That, or go find another starting pitcher and, after you send Carleson and Wolfe down, move two of the guys that have been starting for us into the pen.
Look, you’re right when you say that Cecil and Jansen (for example) are going to be solid starters for this team. But right now, this team needs solid relief. And I’d rather have 8 starters in the pen (5 of which actually are in the rotation and 3 of which are relievers).
There were a lot of positives today, and there have been through out the entire losing streak.
But outside of Halladay, we have Richmond, Tallet, Romero, Janssen, Cecil, Litsch. Any TWO of those six can be highly effective in the pen.
MW: Litsch is hurt. I don’t think the answer is moving quality starting pitching to the bullpen.
- AngeloMike
- ZacGreat Post. Good to see the “professional baseball man” take a backseat to “diehard Jays fan”. We’re gonna get through this buddy, dont worry. Go Jays
Hey what year was it that the Jays only needed to win one out of their last 6 games to make the post season - and they lost them all…. This kind of feels like that did. Oh well it really can’t get any worse!!! Red
MW: It was 1987, and they only needed one win out of their last three, though they lost their last seven straight.
- RedWell said.
Do you think they consider bringing Accardo up after today ? I’d send Shawn Camp down.
MW: I would have. They didn’t.
- DilsonGlad I watched Champions League and had a meeting. Ugh.
- rythLet ‘em lose. Let them have little winning streaks where Rolen, Barajas and (Please God!) Wells hit really well. Where Scutaro does his thing and Overbay hits doubles into the gap. But let them lose a lot more than they win. Because you’re right about getting rid of Rolen, Scutaro and Barajas. And if he improves we might get something for Overbay. If Wells hits decently we might get a little something for him too. Hell, just let someone else pay some of that monster contract!
This team is not working out as hoped and that’s because it’s a thing of shreds and patchwork driven by anxiety and panic signings that are killing the club. Trade them all for prospects and put together a team that really has a future. Keep Hill. Keep some of the pitchers. Keep Lind. Keep Rios. Yes, I can’t stand him but he’s got mor raw talent than Wells and he might just some day work out for us.
Hold the course management set out at the winter meeting and finally, finally, accept that the team needs major surgery not minor tinkering. I hate to say this, but trade Halladay as well. Let him finally pitch in the post-season. Quiet the regret by thinking about what we would get in return for the best pitcher in baseball.
MW: This isn’t a team that requires major surgery, this isn’t a thing of shreds and patchwork drive by anxiety and panic signings. You’re usually a lot more level-headed than this but heck, they’ve lost nine in a row.
- isabella reyesI have the Super Duper MLB package and decided to do some research on B.J. Ryan. On May 2, 2005 in a 6 -2 loss to the Blue Jays B.J. Ryan threw in a scoreless 10th inning. His fastball was clocked at 94 MPH 5 times. His fastball clocked in at 95 MPH one time. Anything not a fastball was 90 and under. Compared to a year ago B.J. Ryan may have only lost 1 or 2 MPH. Compared to four years ago B.J Ryan has lost a substantial amount off of his fastball. MLB Players’ batting average rises and fastball speed decreases. I can source the batting ave. versus fastball speed for you Mike.. if you like.. i cant source the BJ stats because its a paid subscription.The Jays aint playin’ a beer league. Even a small drop in performance can spell disaster in the Major Leagues. BJ Ryan is a class act and a hard worker… but so was J.J. Cannon.
MW: The decrease in speed is alarming, for sure, but it should be noted that by 2006, Ryan was down to a routine 91-92.
- Dave NantaisIs there any way to explain why Cito did not go with Frasor in the 8th?
MW: See above.
- RolinMike,
You summed it up perfectly.
- Wayne in Scarborough“They’re not a 100-loss team that’s going to go to Baltimore, get swept by the Orioles, freefall into fourth place and not win a series again all season.”
Well, at least they’re not in fourth…. :)
In all seriousness, your post pretty much says it all.
There are worse things in the world than a 9 game losing streak, right? Right?!
MW: Right. Like a nine-game losing streak that leaves a team 12 games out of first place.
- Kevin A.This all started when the Jays faced Wakefield. Can a knuckleball dismantle a team? Yes. Yes it can.
MW: How do you explain the fact that the Jays got 25 hits in the two games following their date with the knuckler?
- CGYou hungry Mike?? LOL I like Cheez Whiz
Well, It might be time to put BJ Ryan back into the closers role and bring Tallet back to the bulpen. Downs is to valuable not to be used in key situations and not pitching for a week was inexcusable…Bring Cecil up to the rotation and send Tallet to the bulpen.
MW: It’s not time to make Ryan the closer again.
- MikeHi Mike,
I am sure you were relieved to not have to take any calls today. I am sure EVERY Jays fan is banging their head on the wall today.
I think you said it perfect, what a horrible horrible way to end a horrible horrible road trip.
On a positive note, it was nice to see the Jays hitting FINALLY.
Maybe it has been asked already, what are the chances of sending Carlson down? Is there anyone right now that would be ready to come up and help the bullpen?
My other question was the All Star voting. How many players from each position make the All Star team? Is it only based on votes?
Thanks again Mike,
Enjoy having tomorrow off, hopefully a day off is what the team needs!
MW: There’s no chance Carlson will be sent down anytime soon. At least two players from each position make the all-star team, one voted on by the fans, the other voted on by the players. After that, it’s up to the commissioner’s office and the managers, plus one more at the end from the fans again.
- Kaisacant tell if this is sarcasm but I do echo the genuwine feelings of this blurb, amen mikey amen,
- Crash DavisJesse Carlson doesn’t deserve to stay on this team. It’s not a knee jerk reaction, he has been absolutely repugnant. I think both he and Camp have run their course as Jays relievers. Get rid of the both of them.
Looking on the bright side, at least the offense woke up.
MW: Not a knee jerk reaction at all. Carlson has been bad, but he was arguably the team’s best reliever last season.
- Sean in LethbridgeFire Jesse Carlson. Do it now, don’t think about it.
MW: Fire?
- ZackHi Mike,
When do you see Travis Snider, Brett Cecil, Robert Ray, and David Purcey, returning to the bigs? And is there any update on the injuries of Marcum, and McGowan? Do you see them returning at some point this season?
Thanks Mike
MW: I think Snider, and maybe Cecil will be back by the end of June, maybe a little later. Ray in September, I’m not sure about Purcey. There’s no change with Marcum and McGowan.
- BradExactly, what more is needed… too bad for Doc who ran his # of consecutive starts with at least 7 innings to a new high. (2 straight no decisions… not cool)
- J.W.Best. Post. Ever.
When you’re at the bottom, there’s no where left to go but TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!1
- eyebleafYour blog says it best Mike. I don’t have any words to describe how I’m feeling. Could something be wrong in the club house?
MW: Why does it have to be a chemistry issue? They’re not playing well.
- Tomisthe only thing is i’m affraid this probably isn’t rock bottom. The sox (bosox) in town for 3 this weekend can easily extend this streak to 12.
MW: Easily?
- TomisProbably one of the most frustrating losses for a Toronto sports team this decade. I remember the Leafs blowing a 5-0 lead to the Blues in the 3rd period a few years ago, but this seems so much worse.
10 runs of support for Doc isn’t what makes this the toughest to swallow. Maybe not even the two blown saves. Probably the fact that it’s the 9th one in a row and they can’t seem to do anything right.
I don’t think any wholesale changes need to be made. Either Carlson needs to be sent down to find his focus, or just used in a different role. Wouldn’t Brandon League have been a better option given Carlson’s struggles.
Hopefully the Sox underestimate the Jays this weekend and they can steal 2 of 3.
MW: It’s not about underestimating or stealing. It’s about playing well.
- MatthewAs painful as 85 and 87. How much of the blame goes to Ryan, in your view, for this atrocious loss? You get that leadoff guy and the complexion of the entire 11th inning changes. I think a significant amount of responsibility (at least in a notional sense) sits on Ryan’s shoulders. In any event, it’s a sad day for jays fans.
MW: I think less of the responsibility sits on the shoulders of Ryan than any other pitcher used in the game with the exception of Halladay and Frasor.
- RbHi Mike
No one expected anything from the Jays this year so their slide is not unexpected. They may yet surprise us by the end of the year, but to be competitive they probably need a reliable DH, more than one proven starter, and a general manager who is capable of accurately assessing the talent on his roster and making an impact trade or free agent signing.
MW: A reliable DH? Have you not been watching Adam Lind? And the Jays lead the league in quality starts - this has nothing to do with the starting pitching.
- DaveHey Mike
Somebody should have hijacked the plane going to Boston! I was going to leave a message a week ago but didn’t, that they had to make a statement in Fenway when they arrived. I know you would disagree, but when you are in 1rst place like they were,you have to show them who’s boss. NOW THAT THERE IN 3rd, we will see what they are made of.
Have you in all your time,seen a roadtrip like this?
You gotta a problem with Cheez-Whiz?
MW: I have never seen a road trip like this, nor has any Jays-watcher. Where in 3rd?
- steve wiltonYou took the words right out of my mouth!
- SamThis is just getting bad now, but you know the red soxs lost aswell so maybe all this losing wont take out the bluejays to much outta the race. its to bad the Yankees are playing strong now though…but we knew this was going to come sometime, 400million is alot of money$$$$$$
- ColinI have witnessed both the most exciting period, and most frustrating period in first two months of the season in the last 15 years of bluejays…
We have found a way to lose every single game this road trip. What is the main cause of this losing streak?
But as bad as it is going now, Jays are 2 games back and have chance to redeem themselves this weekend. Hopefully….
MW: The main cause? An inability to hit with runners in scoring position.
- JayHow is this the bottom. Four games above .500 after 50 games, certainly better than MW’s prediction or anybody else’s for that matter.
The Jays are quite capable of losing the first six games of the home stand extending their losing streak to 15 games.
I’m quite certain that four games above .500 is not going to be the bottom for this team
MW: Spoken like a true alarmist. Quite capable of extending the losing streak to 15 games? In the broadest sense that any team is capable of losing 15 in a row, sure.
- kitWow I never thought anything would leave you at a loss for word, but there you have it. I have to say though, while I could get worse and they could loose as many games as they won to start the season….I doubt it will, still right now I’m glad I’m working till 11:30 at night so I don’t have to see this….I feel bad for you Mike, you want to turn away but you can’t.
MW: They only won two straight to start the season.
- SmittyBullpen pitchers need to go back to the roles they were in before this losing streak.
MW: Those roles haven’t changed. But ok.
- AKOk,
So I am never talking to you first thing in the morning again.
Unbelievable.
Really
MW: All your fault!
- Allan CorberGET ACCARDO HERE NOW HE CLOSES THAT GAME TODAY WE WIN
I cant bring myself to criticize cito so its on JP for not bringing up accardo yet. just kidding but why the hell is wolfe in line for the save ofcourse he blows it, cito needs to learn to manage the so called best bullpen in the league
MW: Who was left besides Wolfe at that point? Camp and League. I’ll take my chances with Wolfe if Cito doesn’t want to leave Ryan in.
- RyanMike, would you say the O’s have the best outfield in baseball right now with Scott, Jones, and Markakis?
MW: Nope.
- Uncle BenMike,
Absolutely devastating loss. Did that actually happen?
I have to blame Cito. His inability to shake up a slumping lineup and extremely questionable pitching decisions make me nauseous.
Why does he go to Wolfe in that situation? Why does he continue to rely on Carlson? Why is Scott Downs being used so irregularly, and could that contribute to him getting smacked all around the yard?
I’m angry with the decisions being made on this club. What’s the big deal in shaking up the order in the lineup?? Clearly the status quo is sputtering, could a little change here and there not perhaps provide a spark? Is this that foreign of a concept?
I don’t get it. This team is better than this.
MW: If you liked what Cito was doing when they were 27-14, you can’t criticize it now.
- ChrisIf somebody had told me before the season that Jays would be 27-23 on May 27th and would have a 9-game losing series in the process, I’d be still laughing at him.
Jays are on pace to win 88 games, exactly 88! It’s a marathon, so they better erase the last 9 days off their memories and try to repeat their 27-23 for the next 50 games. The thrill is gone but the hope is still there. Go Jays Go!
- BeburgI dont know about the rest of you suckers, but Im taking the weekend off from the Blue Jays. I got a fence to build and I cant sit through a 10th straight loss. If they win, I’ll be happy, but im almost ready to bet the farm that they will not beat Boston on Friday. Hell Sat or Sunday dont look good either. Dont be suprised it they have a 12 game losing streak. How the hell is this team still only 1.5 out of first? Unreal! There is plenty of time to turn this thing around and its almost laughable that they blew an 8-2 lead and a two run lead in extra innings to Baltimore. All’s I could do was sit there motionless on the couch and not say a word…..Its like I knew it was coming. Something messed with this teams physcie…..I blame Gary Denbo lol.
MW: You hit the nail on the head, it’s Denbo’s fault.
- Dave BrantfordHey Mike your best post!..I like how you kept it G rated..
B.J Ryan isn’t pitching any good hence the “promotion” of Scott Downs..Not enough starting pitching, see ya Tallet..These two aren’t in the roles they were in last season so now we need guys like Carlson and Wolfe..Of course, they aren’t the whole reason the Jays lost 9 in a row but they aren’t helping..Is there a pitcher in the AL that gives up more hits with 2 strikes then Carlson?
If I see Carlson in the lineup on Friday I will eat my own ginch..Ya know, those special ones stuck on the floor in my closet..
Pass the cheese whiz dude..
MW: The opposition is hitting .218/.259/.291 against Carlson with two strikes.
- ray bSeriously? Okay, I’ll be serious. It seems the Jays go through a slide like this every year where nothing goes right. In 2008 they lost 9 of 10 in April and 7 straight in June. In 2007 they lost 9 straight to start the month of May (that was part of an extended 16 of 21 slide). In 2007 they lost 9 of 10 overlapping July and August and were lucky to get the one. In 2005 the lost 12 of 16 overlapping August and September. In short, this is baseball and in a 162 game schedule every club will walk a valley at some point. Considering the Yanks and Sox have both had long win streaks and the Jays have had this current debacle and yet, they still sit only one and one-half games behind is nothing short of incredible. I’d rather they get this slide out of the way now, than save it for the last two weeks of the season. The 1987 Blue Jays had two 7 game losing streaks, one to end the first half and one to end the season. Why heck, a sweep of the Sox this weekend and they’ll be right back in first.
You said “y’all” the other day on JaysTalk. You must be from southern Ontario.
MW: I am, indeed. It would have been nice if you’d brought up losing streaks of teams that had actually been in contention, though.
- Jim in OhioAlthough it is starting to get hard to find good things to say about the Jays. The best thing I have is that after 47 games the Jays, Sox and Yanks all had the same record (27-20).
The difference in the standings is the three games extra the Jays have played. Which is the equivalent of getting swept in one series. So its not like we need a 20 game win streak to fly back into first.
They might no longer be on pace for 100+ wins but losing 9 straight has not put them on pace for 100+ looses. All it has done is put them on pace to be in the race for both the AL East and the WC. Which, if you are the 09 Jays is really a great place to be.
It sucks that they lost 9 in a row. However this team was going to get its share of losses, even a team that wins 100 times, looses 62 times(except in the case of removed games due to whether and such). It just sucks that 9 of them had to come in a row and that we had to spoil some great starting pitching.
The fact that we can lose 9 in a row and still be in any race at this time just shows how good we had been playing.
This team just needs to start winning again and things will be fine. Here’s to hoping that we can start a 112 game win streak on Friday and put this all behind us.
- KevinHi mike!Ok something is missing in the jays bullpen!by that i mean Tallet….hence i think it would be better to bring back cecil or ray(select the best of the two)and send tallet to the bull pen to add back a more reliable pitcher to the bullpen.That would ease the confusion of how many runs is safe till it gets to scott downs in the ninth!Can you give me another angle to this?Thanks mike.
MW: Yes, I can. Brian Tallet was the Jays’ mop-up man/long reliever for the most part, rarely called upon in high leverage situations or at all before the 7th. I’m not sure why so many have hooked onto the “Tallet in the rotation has messed up the bullpen” angle.
- sanAgree…and yet only 1.5 back.
MW: That’s the beauty of it.
- AnthonyThis blog entry made me feel a little better Mike.
it’s perfect. What else can you even say?
This game was gift wrapped for the Jays - twice!
The ONLY thing that makes me feel opitmistic right now, is that after losing 9 in a row and absolutely ripping my soul out - somehow the Jays are only 1 1/2 out of first. Doesn’t feel like that, does it?
MW: It doesn’t, but that’s only because people are acting as though they’re 20 games out.
- James HHey Mike,
How do you hit your head diving on a volleyball court?
I mean, come on.
Seriously.
More seriously, how many of these losses could have been wins had Cito been proactive earlier in getting some of the lineup some rest during the last seven weeks?
It’s fine that Overbay, Snider and Barajas were given a day off now and then, but are those the guys you want rested?
I mean come on.
Seriously.
Rios, Wells, Rolen shouldn’t be expected to be at the top of their game 162 days a year . . . Scutaro has never been an everyday player.
Better rest Hill soon, too, because he can get burned out, but with the pressure building, not sure Cito would want Hill out of the lineup.
MW: Rolen has actually gotten a significant amount of days off, relative to the other regulars. Hey, this is the way Cito does things.
- Ken Paganmike whats up with lack of blogging?
MW: The website was down for a while there.
- nickYou know, you’re right.
This is rock bottom. I mean, it absolutely can’t get any worse than blowing a 7-2 lead in the fourth with Doc on the mound to the freaking Orioles to run a losing streak to nine games. No matter what happens, unless they have a 1987-style collapse, it will never be worse this season to be a Blue Jays fan than it was last night.
I’m overseas at the moment, and the games come on late-so late that I usually listen to the recorded broadcast the next day. Day games come on at nine thirty or so. So I listened for a bit, then went to bed with the radio on in the background, waking up just in time to hear the Orioles tying it in the eighth.
It was bad, and I was about as annoyed as I’ve ever been at the Jays, but it can’t get any worse. Either they keep losing, in which case it’ll be crummy, but no worse than it’s been, or they’ll start winning some games. Yankee and Red Sox fans have been quick to point at the current swan dive and say that this proves the start was a mirage, but it’s not like their teams have been putting a lot of distance between themselves and the Jays during this disaster. It’s been awful, but if they can turn it around quickly, Toronto is well placed to come back from the dead.
And if they don’t? Well, it can’t get no worse.
- IanHey Mike. I was furious! If I had your job or Jerrys I would probably get fired from yelling bad language in the booth. I’m going to take a break from watching this team but I will continue to listen to the fan. I’m going to have to change my outlook on the season because once again I believe that its just another season like we have been seeing for well over a decade. I will soon continue watching because even though I don’t think the Jays have the horses to play meaningful games in september 2009, I still love baseball, I still love the Jays, and even though I was cursing them out over the TV like an evil spirit, they are the only team in baseball I will ever love. Heres to hoping for a season where they make it exciting through late september. Sorry for rambling!
MW: It sure doesn’t seem as though you love them if you’re willing to throw in the towel because they’re a game and a half out of a playoff spot with 112 games to play.
- Matt from BCClearly you’re not being paid by the word.
It does sum it up though; or at least as well as can be done without profanities.
There’s too much to say, so I’ll cut my list of complaints down to one:
Why is BJ Ryan being allowed to “figure it out” in the bigs? Send him down.
MW: Ryan has only had one poor outing since coming off the disabled list (out of six), he doesn’t deserve to be sent down - or at least, he doesn’t deserve to be singled out.
- tj ArchThis one was hard to swallow..Where has brandon Leaugue been? Why of all things is it now our BULLPEN that costs us games….
- DanMike how can you say more? I guess the Baseball Universe balances itself eventually. I was hoping this start was the balance for the bad mojo injury, hitting etc wise the Jays had the last few years when they could have won. I guess I was wrong! Oh well, we are only 1.5 games behind and the Red Sox are in town this weekend. Hopefully we will forget this week come Monday as we are back on top or in the mix again.
Question: It seems to me the bullpen is getting tired lately as they are not that bad really in my opinion. Why do they not call up a couple of fresh arms from Las Vegas for a short period? If you agree, who would you say is ready?
Thanks as always Mike you do a great jaaab!
Cheers
MW: I would have sent out the call for Accardo and sent out Camp, providing Accardo is throwing his splitter well.
- David SHey Mike
I am with you on this one. The jays are sure very inventive in the way they loose games. It is almost as bad as Tampa Bay…. almost., but Tampa is sure having problems this year.
Do you know what is most incredible about this losing streak?
The Jays are still within half a game of first place - though if they keep playing like this, the jays will sink to the bottom mighty fast.
Looking reflectively in the last 3 years, this is what I summize and not sure if you agree.
The jays are better than average in terms of winning games. If ii wasn’t for the AL east, we’d be in first place. Heck, we are still within breathing distance of first and it is only May.
Not sure how other teams are doing, but the Jays seem to have problems with situational hitting in 2007 and 2008. We don’t even need to say anything about the recent road trip. This year, their situational hitting should be better with Hill and Lind playing regularly, but our 3 and 4 hitters, as you say, need to pick up. Rios OPS has dropped from a high .865 in 2006 to .725 this year. That is more than a 13% drop and he is not hitting with authority.
Carlson and Camp are over used. They are pitching too much and their effectiveness has diminished. Carlson has been scored upon the last 5 out of the six times he has been pitching. I thought Gibby was bad with using favorite pitchers - I guess all managers are like that if you watch them closely.
Francis
MW: Yes, they are. It’s going to take at least another 9-game losing streak for the Jays to sink to the bottom - don’t get your hopes up. Lose only has one “o”.
- francis xThe crazy thing is they could be in first place come Monday.
MW: Or Saturday.
- Ryan McCallenMike, what the heck happened yesterday? I was watching into the 7th and thought this is surely (and finally) a game in hand so I went outside to do some work, until my buddy phones me a little later and says ‘are you watching the Jays game? they’re tied 8-8 going into the 10th’ So I race back to the house only to get all excited once more when Aaron Hill parks one, to more or less seal the deal…, and then, and then…, I couldn’t beleive my eyes! How could this happen? Did Cito blow this one for the team or was it my imagination. If he didn’t think BJ could hold them, why would he use him in the first place. And Wolfe, I think Cito accidentially called for the wrong righty but must have thought, what the heck, he couldn’t be any worse than Ryan. Does this make sense?
MW: Of course not.
- rolf“Rock.Freaking.Bottom”?
Are those 3 lines below the title your blog Mike? That’s hillarious! Yikes, how badly did you hit your head?
Speaking of that, I do hope your ok and will take it easier in the future. You can’t just say I’m not diving for anymore balls - it happens and with no second thought of doing it. Strap on some head protection if your gonna be diving all over the place. Head gear used by wrestlers works for volleyball and does not interfere with your play. Numerous concussions are not to be ignored.
I know it’s gotta be tough with the current losing streak. I listed the 93 Jays the other day as to losing streaks that year and the worst was during late June to early July where there was one stretch they had a 1-10 actually it was a 2-11 Won-Loss record. I remember how everyone was really, really down on the team but no one was down as much as the team itself. They pulled out of it with flying colors - they were just too good not to.
Same goes for this edition of the Jays! This 9 gamer losing streak will end with Boston in town. The Jays bats have finally woke up and will start a nice win streak.
Yesterdays’ game was a real freak but looking over the score boards of another couple of teams lately it was not the only freaky game. It happens is all I can say.
Every team learns from a losing streak and it will be no different for these guys. They done far too many good things at the start of the season for this not to turn around.
Just like the start of this season was not going to predict a 100 win season. This 9 game losing streak is not going to predict a 100 game loss season!
If ever a team needed their home crowd out to support them at a critical time, it is this team - the 09 Jays, and they need it now more than ever. I’m headed for each game of the Red Sox series starting on Friday. Get out there people and show them you care!
Thanks Mike and take care of your noggin!
- Bob from BurlingtonThere could have been no more appropriate blog post for that game.
Well played,
Cam
- CamHey Mike, remember when you were always predicting last season that Tampa would fall back or stumble, I think you might have been referring to the 2009 version of the Toronto Blue Jays.
On another note Mike, if this offense was said to be the best offensce JP has had since being here, and an offense that can contend with the Yanks and sox, then why is it that you have casted your expectations so low. For years when yanks had mediocre pitching, their strong offense carried them, If these batters are as good as you and JP make them out to be, why is there not high expectations for the offense. When predictions were made about this years team it seems like the predictions included the team on a whole including the offense. I don’t get it. Are you playing devils advocate by dowgrading the jays this year, so that you can say use the expectations as a scapegoat if fans start to freak. Good way to rerverse physcology Mike.
MW: You’re giving me far too much credit. I expected that the offense would be fine, but that the starting pitching wouldn’t be good enough for the team to contend.
- ThomasIs BJ done, he is not the same since he had is arm repaired………….
Need to have a good showing against the Bosox…..
MW: He’s not done, but he might be on the way to being done.
- MikeMike… probably your most lucid, accurate and appropriate blog post yet!
This is what the bottom feels like. And yet, the Blue Jays are still only 1.5 games out. The pitching staff is as complete, healthy and talented as it will be for the season.
(other than the bullpen, which broke many hearts… nay, shock and awed us all)
Vernon seems to be swinging it better (though not even close to clean-up levels) and they did, at least, score 10 runs.
Time to shake up the ‘pen, drop Carlson down, maybe give League another shot? He can’t be worse right now…
The nice thing about the bottom of the barrel is that it will only get better.
A series win against Boston would bring us right back to sniffing the division lead, and would be awfully friggin’ sweet after 9 games of bitter.
MW: Yes, it would. I don’t know that it has to be League getting a shot - why not Frasor?
- BardsThis game was easily the worst of the young season for the Jays. On one hand, if they end up tanking this year (which of course is only an “if”), it’s possible that this will be the game we’ll look back on as the turning point. On the other hand, looking at the standings this morning, the Jays are only 1.5 games out of 1st, and right in the thick of things, which is nothing short of amazing considering this current losing streak. My point is: what’s done is done. I hope they can shake off this slump and start winning again. I mean, they could be back in 1st place by the end of the weekend. So this is still the best position the Jays have been in in years. It’s not nearly as bad as some people think.
You do a fantastic job, Mike. Keep up the excellent work!
- EarleLost 9 in a row and still only 1.5 games out of first! That is still lots or reason to be ok with how things are going despite the negative 9 gamer!
Starting Friday night, the Jays need all the support they can muster from that 10th guy, the home crowd! Get out there and support them. This is the series that can do the most harm thus far into the season, especially starting it off with Wakefield!
Give your heads a collective shake people (ouch, not you Mike) grab your buddies or whomever and show up at the ball park on Friday night to welcome home your Toronto Blue Jays! Show your real fans! It will mean a whole lot to them, believe me!
Thanks Mike - keep up the great work you do!
MW: Thanks!
- Bob from BurlingtonWhat else can you say? Brutal game… worse than Giambi ’s walk-off last year.
MW: You think? I don’t know about that - that was an 0-2 pitch with two on, two out and the team up by two.
- AmI’ve never sworn so much at my TV before. I was incredulous that they found a way to lose that game, but like you said, it can’t get any worse than this, can it? .. can it?
MW: Sure it can. But hopefully it won’t.
- CJohnson03Hi Mike,
It cannot possibly get worse than this, even with the Red Sox coming to town. I was at work following the game on those MLB.com gameday game tracking things and I saw it was 8-3 Jays and Carlsson was in to start the 8th so I figured, ok, should be OK with a big lead. So, I was working and maximized thwe screen to see 8-5 bases loaded and I think to myself..OH OH…and I watched in horror as they tied the game and I was muttering at my desk “Carlsson SUCKS”. So I am driving home with the Jays ahead 10-8 and for some reason, I had a bad feeling. Don’t know why. However, i still could not believe it when Nolan Reimold homered to end it. Once again, I said out loud in my truck “Wolfe SUCKS, man!”. I was actually kind of laughing..what else canyou do, really. You summed it up so perfectly on the post game and you made me laugh out loud in my truck when yousaid that this was the “kick in the nuts”. So very very true. No other way to put it. Mike, your candid approach is a real pleasure. Thanks for the laughs!
You know, even though I think BY Ryan sucks right now, for some reason, I was hoping Cito would have left him in in the 11th. I know, strange, but I had a feeling that this was a good time to see if he could close it out. As it turns out, it couldn’t have turned out any worse. Oh well, moving on to the Sox series
- Ian from WhitbyIt can only get better now. Smile everyone!!!
- Chris PeckoverShort, sweet and to the point. That pretty much sums up the Blue Jays’ fortunes this past week. I love it Mike!!
- BernardYou know things are bad when people are looking for Russ Adams to be called up
MW: No kidding.
- DavidYou know, I was giving Wells a bit of slack for a while, like you. Yeah, he’s miscast as a cleanup hitter, but he’s not that bad, right? And even if his batting is sub-par, and even if he’s clearly not a gold-glover anymore, he’s still got decent defense right? Well, you wanted a good argument against Wells, here are some cold hard numbers.
Going into yesterday’s game, out of 71 OF who have played enough games to qualify, Vernon Wells is:
50th in OPS among OF
Last in UZR and UZR/150 among OF
37 in RF/9 among OF
OPS speaks for itself, and even though it may hurt my argument, I prefer RF over UZR for evaluating OF. Still though, bottom half.
Vernon Wells is worse than Coco Crisp, at least so far this season. To Cito, who asks “Who else should be batting fourth?”: Anyone else. I just hope that other GMs are still not on the Moneyball bandwagon and still think Wells has good defense.
PS: The worst part of this losing streak is that I can’t even bring myself to argue about Cito. It’s not as if he’s going to start using batters on their day off as pinch-hitters, or taking out pitchers when they should be, so what’s the point.
MW: It’s true. There’s no point in even getting upset about that stuff, because it’s not going to change.
- MarkWell way to look at it is it honestly cant get muvh worse then that. The lineup heats up agian but the bullpen implodes to say the least definitly cant get worse so here to ride back up
Question for you Mike i know you get alot of the Rios’s head on a platter questions but this is not one however my thinking is your 3 hitter should be your best hitter, and i do think rios needs a awake up call to get him going again so what do you think about a switch of rios in the 2 hole hes got the speed and might stop swinging for the fences, and lets face it hill is a machine this year and has a swing that wont let him get in to long slumps.
MW: Hill has a swing that won’t let him get into long slumps like the fact that the Jays have Roy Halladay means they can’t get into long losing streaks. I don’t think that I would move Hill, for a number of reasons, and I certainly don’t think Rios deserves to be moved up in the order. I don’t think he should be hitting third, but that’s not going to change.
- ScottBest. Blog. Ever.
I know things are bad when you’re resorting to this! I wonder how much longer we’re going to be seeing Carlson? I don’t know if there are better options in the minors…especially if the Jays want to replace him with another lefty.
On the bright side Mike, the bats came around. Hill even hit one out!
MW: First homer in 77 innings for the Jays!
- ChrisHi Mike.
Wow, sure tough to stay a fan right now.
Just curious on two questions:
Do you think removing Tallet from the bullpen upset some kind of balance or defined roles in the bullpen that aided their collapse?
And second, is it possible (however, unlikely) that Snider being demoted affected the clubhouse and lineup more than we think?
The last time I was this down about the Jays was the last week of 87.
MW: I think the answer to both your questions is no.
- andrewI know this has been talked about but it really amazes me how little confidence Cito has in Frasor. No matter how well the guy pitches, he just won’t bring him into a game that the jays are ahead by two runs or less.
What happened to League by the way, Cito doesn’t seem to ever use him anymore. (unless he pitched yesterday, I missed the game did he?)
I’m not panicking yet, I still think we have a very good ball club. What worries me the least is that the starting pitching actually held up reasonably over this road trip. Tallet was great, Halladay was himself, Jannssen threw a quality game. Richmond was fine. Romero wasn’t great but he wasn’t AWFUL.
It’s been the hitting and the bullpen that has pooped the bed and I KNOW we have a great bullpen. (everyone has bad weeks) I also truly believe we have an elite offense and that they will snap out of this slump, I just hope it is sooner than later because I think it will take 90 to get into the playoffs. (I’ve argued with you many times about how many games it takes to get into the playoffs. Last season it took 96 because that’s how many games the Jays would have needed to finish ahead of Boston and win the wild card. Not 90 because that’s how many Boston needed to get in.
MW: Last year it took 90 because that’s how many the wild card team actually needed to win to get the wild card, all else involves separate space-time continuua. You’re right about Frasor, though. I have tried to explain above.
- joshSo painful to watch! All teams go through losing streaks, and I’d rather have a 9 gamer in May than a 9 gamer in September. It was nice to see them score some runs yesterday with some TIMELY hits. It seems they left Adam Lind’s bat in the locker room in Toronto. It’ll be nice for him to return and start using them again.
- ShawnLOL.
You are correct, words cannot describe the hilarity of the situation. I blame my sister for predicting that her attendance on Friday night will break this losing skid.
- karim kanjiBest. Blog post. Ever!
- ProvanNothing could have more accurately described my sentiments towards yesterday’s game as this blog entry. I mean like, are we cursed or something?? Do we question bringing B.J Ryan in? Do we question taking him out?? And after this disaster of a road trip we still sit only 1.5 games out of first!!! Must be something in the water.
- Mattmichael,
- darrell bishopthat’s just not right what happend yesrerday.
no team in any sport deserves that kind of cruel fate struck upon them.
enduring an 0-8 road trip, you get your ace on the mound, you score 8 runs for him, leaves after 7 with an 8-3 lead.
you’re just looking for 1 thing to hang your hat on for the trip home & redeem just a little bit of a confidence going forward and then that happens? man.
can you imagine how the plane trip home must have been like for the boys after that type of road trip capper, with the prospects of facing the sox again without doc once again.
that’s sadistic is what that is…..
Losing 9 straight and the Jays are just 1.5 games back. Years past the season was over.
MW: Bruno? You’re back?
- brunoHey Mike,
I was wondering what the logic was behind taking out BJ Ryan for Brian Wolfe? I know a righty was coming up next, but a lefty was up after him. Although BJ has stunk it up for most of the year, I’d still rather see a veteran closer in there to try to end this brutal losing streak than a guy who bounces between the leagues. Also, Carlson needs to go. There is no reason why he is still up here with Accardo waiting in the minors. He’s not worth having another left hander in the pen.
Thanks Mike
MW: I don’t know what the logic was for yanking Ryan there.
- JohnMike - Don’t know what to say. It’s been as rough a two-week stretch of Baseball as I have ever experienced, and I feel like all this has transpired in the blink of an eye.
Still, if you had told me we’d be one and a half games out of first place on May 28th, I’d have bought you lunch back in December.
Nevertheless, this off-day should be considered as positive timing for the club. Gaston needs to take them aside individually and reinforce his belief in this team. The true measure of a manager worth his salt is in the way he deals with pressure and dire straits — not when things are simply hunky dory.
In this regard, they have the right man for the job, and need to come out on Friday with hunger, grit, and genuine determination that will make this entire city proud.
Anything less will be unacceptable.
MW: They played each of the previous nine games with hunger, grit and genuine determination, though. And lunch? I could have had a free lunch? Man……
- Ari ShapiroIt’s ironic because when the jays finally get there bats going, there pitching falls apart. Nothing is going there way.
MW: Nothing is going their way, either.
- KevinMike, I listened to the game while organizing my garage yesterday. All I can say is I’m glad I’d already put away the rope by the 9th inning.
Seriously, I still believe this team can turn it around and be competitive into the fall, but someone’s got to grab the bull by the horns.
Paging Vernon Wells and Alex Rios to the 6 and 7 spots in the order…..
MW: Not gonna happen.
- DavI idYour abbreviated blog says it all. Get readu for all the venom Mike because after all it is your fault they lost right? Cito’s in game management just kills me. Won’t bring in stronger defensive replacements to close out a game…ie Overbay would have snagged that ball that got by Millar in the 11th for sure. Why he would use Carlson instead of Frasor in the 8th is beyond me. Carlson has been struggling and he watches him load up the bases and hit a guy before doing anything. I could tell he didn’t have it right from the get go. Doc should tell Cito, you don’t come and get the ball from me until I tell you to. Last game Doc pitched he pulled him to early, same with this one and the same with Richmond’s game. Oh by the way, lets hpe he continues trotting out the same old lineup that’s been working so well.
My rant is over….How is Accardo doing in the minors Mike…ok , good or bad? May be an idea to bring him up or even put Jansenn back to the set up role when Litschy baby returns.
MW: Neither Halladay nor Richmond were pulled too early from their previous starts. Accardo is doing OK in Vegas, not great.
- KenMike I’ve just noticed something!
Every series the Jays have lost this season they’ve either swept the next one or been swept.
Therefore Friday’s game against the Red Sox is of critical importance!
MW: Very interesting.
- Scottim so frustrated with this team…..i cant believe yesterdays game happened…
Lose 9 in a row,get swept 3 series in a row and go down yesterday like they did…blowing it twice late…it makes you want to see changes just for change sake even if thats reactionary…..
I got tickets to a game this weekend and i dont wanna go anymore..I dont wanna read about this team,i dont wanna watch em…..i dont wanna hear about em….how do you go from red hot to ice cold overnight….
rant over…
MW: It happens all the time.
- MikeI just have to laugh at your post. Was there a Jays Talk, because I could just imagine. Honestly, this team looked in desperate need of a day off before yesterday’s debacle. This team does not like outdoors and wet conditions.
They are still only a 1.5 games out after losing 9 in a row. Maybe this is a turnaround from a team that has sucked in April, picked it up in May only to drop back in June. I think the young starters have struggled because they see the bats not producing and giving them cushions and they just get thrown out of their zone a bit.
The bullpen is having some serious issues. When is the last time Carlson came into a game and didn’t give up at least 1 run, or let runners get on that led to runs? If Accardo has found his splitter in Vegas, then he needs to bring it to Toronto.
I think the return home, the day off, and pride will help in this upcoming 9 game homestand. That roadtrip could not have gone any worse. They just weren’t getting any bounces. A perfect example was the game they lost when Romero pitched. Wells hits that rocket of a double with Lind on 1B, and instead of the ball doing a little shorthop of the wall allowing Lind to score, it hits the exposed concrete right underneath and fires back to Jones forcing Lind to stay on 3B. Then the Jays don’t cash. Next 1/2 inning, lead gone.
I hope every one of those players are taking a good look in the mirror today and are ready to defend the home field. Looking forward to Saturday.
MW: Why Saturday?
- Aaron KerIs this ever going to end?
Where is Jeremy Accardo?
Do big league hitters have Jesse Carslson figured out?
If the Jays win the next series they could be back in first place. They need to stop the bleeding while they are still ok.
MW: Yes. Las Vegas (actually, tonight he’s in Sacramento). Nope.
- DennyWow. As you said on Jaystalk yesterday… it felt like a kick in the nuts. Did it ever…
It’s amazing how the game is so much about the psyche. The team is suffering from a complete lack of confidence.
When the hitters do well, the pitchers fail. When the pitching does well, the hitting fails. Actually, the hitting failed for 8 of the 9 game road trip… and while it’s perfectly acceptable to have lousy games against the oppenent’s aces, the Jays should have been hitting far better. Cecil was by far the worst start, but that was only for one inning. A few of the games were close until the late innings when the bullpen put the games out of reach.
I am completely frustrated. Hopefully, the day off will give the team some perspective and hopefully, the team will bounce back against Boston. I don’t particularly expect good things out of Friday night’s game, but I am hoping they can win on Saturday and Sunday.
MW: The team isn’t suffering from a complete lack of confidence. The team was suffering from a complete lack of hitting with runners in scoring position.
- TimHi Mike,
What a terribly disappointing loss! When Carlson came out to start the 8th, I was a little worried. He’s a great releiver, but I’m wondering if you agree with me that he has been over worked so far this season?
Last year he made 69 appearances, for a total of 60 innings pitched. This year, he is already at 26 appearances and 26 innings pitched and the season is just shy of being at the one third mark.
Do you think this is a major or minor contributing factor to Carlson’s recent struggles, and do you forsee it continuing as the season progresses?
Thanks!
J.Clark
MW: I don’t see it as a major contributing factor, but it is a factor. I don’t see this level of struggle continuing, no.
- J.ClarkHey Mike
There are still enough pieces in place to turn this team into a contender. A move needs to be made to acquire a legit middle of the order run producer. It was the same problem last year and it will burn the club next year as well if JP doesn’t address this issue. Rios and Wells can’t be counted on the be batting 3/4, they are more suited to be hitting 5/6 in the order. Snider and Lind will fill that void in a few years, but they need someone in place for the final season of Docs contract next year.
The bullpen is starting to show that last year was a bit of a fluke, or at least many guys played over their heads. BJ Ryan is horrible. Send him down and only recall him when he regains command of his pitches and picks up a little velo. Fraser should be the setup guy behind Downs right now.
At least the wife has stopped chirping at me for putting cash down on the Jays won/lost record (under 79.5)
MW: I think Lind and Snider may be able to handle that job next year. You’re right about Frasor.
- rickhi Mike, I’m very disapointed about that loss yesterday & now I know why…I was listening to your comments this morning with Mike & Mike on the Fan 590 & you mentioned you started writing your blog on the Jays breaking their 8 game loosing streak before the game was finished. Now, I am very superstitious & I think you are to blame for that horrible loss yesterday. It’s all your fault & please never do it again for Jays fans sake. Hopefully, the Jays will re-claim first & get back on track this next coming week. I will have my good luck caps on for that.
MW: It’s as much my fault the Jays lost Wednesday as it is to the credit of your good luck caps when they win.
- dominic mSadly yesterday’s game can only be truly referred to as rock bottom when we can look back after they’ve climbed out.
Chin up, guys.
- Terry BradleyYou said it man. This is depressing.
- Tom TomDitto Mike !!!!!!
- Mike Byou are nothing without a good bullpen….when Litsch and others return, Tallet and Janssen should resume their regular roles in the pen and reunite one of the best pens in the game
MW: The bullpen’s not bad, it’s just been bad lately.
- JeremyI hate to sound like a Blue Jay apologist but at the beginning of the season, I would have taken an above .500 record and third place by a few games any time.
The fact that the hated Yankees were playing so poorly at one point and now have passed us along with the Red Soggies is disheartening.
The the reality remains; the Jays have virtually no proven starters behind the Superlative One and everything else from the bats (sans Wells and Rios) to the starting rookies was a pleasant mirage.
Let’s hope for a bit better than a .500 season, third place and dreams of “oh yeah? Wait until 2010!” like we started the season.
Go Jays
MW: They’re only two games out!
- GaryI hope I’m wrong, but it seems like we got into this funk after facing Wakefield and now, the day after the offense appears to be back on track, we face him again. I’m so worried.
MW: Don’t be.
- Sean in LethbridgeDon’t you think Jays are in a good spot after 50 games ?
MW: I think the Jays are in an outstanding spot after 50 games.
- ChasBroken record here. Did you see the attendance figures from the O’s series? Ouch. The latest MLB figures have the Jays at 24 out of 30 in average attendance at home and near the bottom on the road. Ted Rogers’ son’s pockets are not bottomless(nor do we know his degree of passion for baseball) and how long does Rogers Centre continue to function as a viable and desireable baseball location. Sitting here listening to Terry Francona (sp?) say how much he hates the Twins’ stadium. Roof and turf and not fan friendly. Sound familiar? I want baseball to continue in Toronto but if people won’t come and see your product, and your product can be moved, what’s to keep the team around?
I think what a baseball city needs are the fanatic, the fan, and the casual attender. Toronto seems to have the first and the third. But without that stable, rational, not easily panicked core I can see Toronto losing their team to a hungry American city. And if the team continues to draw poorly on the road,will MLB oppose any attempt to move to the U.S.? Probably my musing are too far-fetched to warrant serious consideration but I enjoy a trip to the park (even though I don’t like Rogers Centre) and whether the Jays win or lose want to continue taking in games in Canada.
(The last time I wrote about this topic I mentioned teams that have left and you thought I meant Toronto when I was referring to Canada. (Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Expos, Vancouver Grizzlies)
And finally, here’s my answer to the question you asked me about the relative intelligence of your average sports fan. I asked you to please keep your audience in mind when criticizing their language, spelling, grammar, etc. You asked me if I think your audience is dumb. Not at all. But your level of precision in written and spoken English is not mirrored in the rest of society. The average person makes many mistakes in written and spoken English, and often doesn’t care because it is not as important as the point being made. To rant against it is perhaps cathartic for you but it ignores that your audience is representative of the population as a whole. Your wish for better discourse is shared by many but a baseball blog is not the venue for such a change if it causes some to quit writing or phoning. So criticize your listeners/writers for their boneheadedness and their factually incorrect rants, but do try to remember your audience does not inhabit the same syntaxial world you were brought up in.(he said prepositionally)
MW: You said it yourself, your musings about the attendance are too far-fetched to warrant serious consideration.
- Bill FeeneyYour statement sums it up nicely…I bet Doc’s going to start requesting to pitch complete games from now on.
- Paul MillerHey, it sucks to lose 8 straight, but I’m looking at the standings (I know it’s still really early) and they’re 1.5 games back from 1st, doing all this without Marcum, McGowan and largely without Litsch and Jannsen (in my opinion 2-5 pitchers for 2010). How many other teams can do this well without their 4 of their best starters?
befoer, everyone was saying how the Jays are so good at bouncing back from adversity, winning after losing a couple straight. What greater adversity is there than right now, after losing 8 straight? They are soooo going to bounce back and win the next 35 games. If they don’t I will be very disappointed
Losing sucks, but it’s not going to stop me from enjoying listening to Blue Jays radio, so whatever
MW: Don’t be disappointed if they don’t win 35 in a row.
- CarlosLuckily the bullpen is the best in the business, the offense is superb and they have a bunch of veteran players so they have nothing to worry about.
MW: Spoken like a true fan.
- Peter B.I’m drinking bleach here. It’ll all be over soon.
MW: I told you there were people I needed to talk off the ledge!
- Josh from Camebridgeif its rock bottom it can only get better! 4 more months Mike, don’t give up now!
Btw remind me again of why they let the fans vote for the all-star game? I feel like it’s always the same players every year (i.e. Jeter) Let’s vote for Scutaro!!
MW: 25 votes per e-mail address!
- ajWell said Mike… well said.
- Steel MartlyI guess my folks where right to tell me “when you can’t say anything nice say nothing at all.” I know the jays will come out of this spiral but I just hope they do it soon. I think snake bit applies to the whole team, now including the bullpen. They played well enough to win for the most part and let’s be honest, 10 runs should be enough to win any game in the bigs…
MW: Yes, it should.
- D.A MitchellCould you please pick apart a trade of Brett Cecil, David Purcey, Brian Jeroloman, and Marco Scutaro for Jose Reyes for me.
MW: Sure - that would be the Jays giving up much, much too much. That was easy.
- bootyMike,
Never thought they’d leave you speechless or with the inability to write, but I and I’m sure everyone else understands. Do you think San Francisco would still want to trade Lincecum for Rios? Just a joke. But how serious was Ricciardi in that 2007 off-season with that rumour? I was willing to do it? Not that I’m pickin’ on Rios, or maybe I am, I really don’t know what to do anymore, but I’m still going to tomorrow’s game against Boston. Thanks Mike
-joe-
MW: The Rios-for-Lincecum trade was a real thing, but I think the Giants might have wanted to bait-and-switch the Jays and give them Matt Cain instead.
- joe, torontoI was watching that on MLB.com’s Gameday (just graphics and text - for those that are unaware) and it was very painful to see that “12″ pop on the computer screen ending the game!
- Jason C.I don’t think there’s anything left to say. Well put Mike.
- GregReally? Are you surprised? We all knew the pitching was weak this year- as you are famous to say: the first quarter was not how good they were but 0-9 is not how bad they are. I agree. I think a fair barometer for this team will be 162 games. With the current lineup I feel comfortable saying this is 80-85 win team. So no playoffs here and I guess we should be happy because that is not a bad season by your definitions. But I can see this season being JP’s last- it really needs to be playoffs or bust in this town. Frankly, I don’t care about extranuating circumstances nor do most fans in the GTA- so there are two options. The first one is the one you have chosen for the last few years. 80-85 wins is a good team. Not everyone makes the playoffs. This is baseball. Etc.etc. This kind of thinking breeds mediocricy. The second option and more realistic is we have tried with the current management and nucleus and things don’t seem to be pointing to playoff baseball in Toronto (which should be the goal) nor does a 90 win season seem attainable (at least that is a good year even if you miss the playoffs) so we need to go for a change. Any idea if Gillick would like to finsih the reunion with Gaston and Beeston? He could bring ASH back as an assistant from Milwaukee and we can all relive the glory days of years past.
MW: So what you’re saying is - I don’t care about reality, I want to win. That’s fine for a fan, really, but it’s no way to run a business.
- BobbyMike,
Why is everybody making such a big deal about the Joe Maddon lineup snafu that caused the Rays to lose the DH? It’s not like this is the first time something like this has ever happened before.
I actually attended an Indians/Jays game in Cleveland, I think in 1997, where the same thing happened. That time, the Indians were on the other side of the mistake. Mike Hargrove got Manny Ramirez and Alex Ramirez mixed up on the line up card (how anybody could get those two mixed up is beyond me) so when Manny came up to bat in his usual spot, the Jays manager (Fregosi, I think) came sprinting out of the dugout to tell the umps. I guess he had to wait until Manny was announced before he could take action. As a result, the Tribe lost the DH and Charles Nagy had to hit.
It was funny because I was wearing my Walkman (remember those?) so I could hear Tom Hamilton do the play by play. I am glad I did because he explained the whole mix up and I knew everything that was going on. Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd just watched the umps have a long conference with no explanation as to what the problem was. Then later on, when Nagy was announced and came up to hit, there was a huge murmur of confusion that was audible throughout the crowd of 42,500 (this was back when the Tribe could draw that many). I became the most popular person in my section because everyone kept asking me why the umpires were meeting and why Nagy was hitting.
I think baseball always makes a mistake in situations like that. When there is an issue that serious during the game, the PA announcer should come on and clearly explain the situation so all the fans can understand. The people should have been told, “A mistake on the lineup card has caused the Indians to lose the DH”, but no such announcement was ever made.
Anyway, Maddon has Grover to keep him company in the managing hall of shame.
MW: People are making such a big deal out of it because it’s funny and unusual. You’re bang-on about baseball keeping the fans in the ballpark in the dark - there’s no reason for it.
- KieferI almost forgot the most important thing, The Jays beat the Indians that day, 4-3 if memory serves.
- KieferHi Mike,
Hasn’t the weather been beautiful?
Go Jays!
MW: It certainly has!
- GozerHey mike,
do you think aaron hill will get to bat in the 3 or 4 spot this season.
MW: Nope.
- John terryShark Sandwich.
MW: Indeed.
- Scott BMike, I just got home from Baltimore. Yes, Baltimore. I was there for the last 2 games and believe me, it made for a long drive home. A couple of things that jumped out from yesterdays debacle was number 1, I thought Halladay should have went one more inning. This game should have been played with more desperation. The fact that they had lost 8 in a row meant to me that taking any chance to lose another, should not be an option. Halladay was the best chance the Jays had at pulling out a win yesterday. I was not impressed that Overbay didn’t get into the game first of all as a pinch hitter, or as a deffensive replacement. I haven’t seen the replay on the ball hit to Millar’s right in the 11th? but was that not a ball that the right handed glove of Overbay would have made a play on? After the game, Cito was having a heated debate with the umpires. Do you know what this was all about? I do know that he was doing some yelling, or someone was from the dugout in the later part of the game, I think it was a balls and strikes issue. I was very unimpressed with the “brain cramp” from Rios when he overran 2nd in the big inning. At the time I thought “sure, they just had a huge inning for the first time in how long, but could they have put even more on the board”? I was however impressed with the catch he made in that crazy right field corner. I was sitting 2 rows behind the Jays dugout and all of a sudden Rios dissapeared and came back with the ball. The attendance in Baltimore was absolutely horrible. On Tuesday night there couldn’t have been 5,000 people and on Wednesday afternoon maybe 9,000. I’m not sure what it was announced at but it was terrible. I think it’s time to cut bait on Ryan. He can’t get major league hitters out with his 86 mph heater anymore. Sorry this got so long Mike but like I said, it was a long, but beautiful drive.
MW: I did that drive once. Overbay should always be in for defense late in games the Jays lead, but Cito hasn’t gone that way. Ryan isn’t as bad as you think.
- Dan from ElmvaleThat sucked HARDCORE!! What more can you say…feels great to have Boston coming to town eh? A 9-0 homestand wouldn’t hurt right now…hell 7-2 would work nicely!
- KevinMike,
- Eric BYou summed up the entire road trip perfectly in just 10 words.
But hey! They are still better than I expected at 27-23! And a Series win against Boston this weekend would be exciting!
Why pull BJ for Wolfe?
I predict that the Jays will not lose tonight May28 (only because there is no game). Wow what a shock that was.
MW: I’m not sure why, but the commenter above you thinks he knows.
- bobWhat is going on Mike!? Wasted game! They should have had that one for sure. Doc must be p**d, his last two starts have been wasted! Keepin the faith!
- jarred kennedyAre you so disgusted you’re not posting anymore?
MW: I don’t post on off-days unless something happens.
- MichaelAnd where was Lyle Overpaid while that was going on?
MW: Just hitting .600 with runners in scoring position on the road trip.
- Randolph MantoothCito is known to be a very patient manager and stick to what he believes is right. But is this the case of being stubborn and not realistic with some of his players. For example, why on god’s green earth is Shawn Camp still with the team. Camp has 5.40 era, and batters are hitting .284 off him (righties .316). Accardo has pitched more innings than Camp and has better numbers (2.84 era, 6 saves, no home runs) Mike, isn’t it about time that Cito makes this move and sends Camp down?
MW: It’s not up to Cito, but you can’t compare big-league numbers with AAA numbers regardless.
- OzMike: you have not on last few day’s. probably other stuff to do.Here is food for thought, have any body looked back to how Rios set up prior to the allstar game he was in the home run derby. With Wakefield going tomorrow all the jay’s batter’s should move to the front of the batters box and see if they have more success against the knukle ball. thk’s have a great day.
- EdwinMike….What example best describes your present mindset? (no head joke intended)
a) The Jays wasted a good chance to distance themselves from Boston.
b)Even though the Jays have lost 9 in a row, they’re somewhat fortunate to be only 2 games out.
c) It is what it is and there’s over 100 games left.
d)all of the above
MW: C. They’re not somewhat fortunate, they’re very fortunate (because of their own hard work laying the foundation).
- chris m.Worst Jays road trip since the end of the ‘87 season when the team lost seven in a row in Milwaukee and Detroit, thereby coughing up lead in their division. And yet, and yet, the bats seem to come alive. A bet: they win at least two out three against Boston.
- steveHi Mike,
We had a chat the other night on the radio about JP’s inability to draft well with the exception of Aaron Hill.
In 2005 there was a hot rumor that the Jays were to make a deal for a hitter. Player “A” hit 48 home runs between AA and AAA which was tied for the highest total in organized baseball in 2004 along with Adrián Beltré of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Player “B” that was requested in the deal won 10 games that particular season. I’m not mentioning names quite yet because I believe that if JP didn’t draft or trade for a player, then they are open to any and all trade speculation. Many of Gord Ash’s players have been shipped out of town for very little value in return. When JP first came here he said he’d re-build the farm system. Many years later we are now seeing decent prospects. This team is still no where near the level of competitiveness in terms of a farm system. Baseball America’s top 100 prospects for MLB teams have the Jays with 3. How can management “brag” about all of the prospects coming through the system when the rest of baseball is basically laughing at us?? I strongly believe that this team will not win anything while JP is running this team. When Paul Beeston hires his replacement JP should be relieved of his duty for not progressing Canada’s only baseball team into respectability.
Here are just a few of JP’s missed opportunities through the draft:
MLB players drafted after the Jays pick:
2002 Russ Adams
Scott Kazmir
Nick Swisher
Cole Hamels
James Loney
Denard Span
Jeff Francoeur
Joe Blanton
Matthew Cain
Joey Votto 2nd round
Brian McCann 2nd round
Jonathan Broxton 2nd round
Jesse Crain 2nd round
2003 Aaron Hill
Conor Jackson
Carlos Quentin
Chad Billingsley
2004 David Purcey
Glen Perkins
#65 Dustin Pedroia
2005 #6 Romero
Troy Tulowitzki
Michael Pelfrey
Cameron Maybin
Christopher Volstad
Jay Bruce
Jacoby Ellsbury
Craig Hansen
When trying to rebuild a franchise without having an 100 million dollar payroll,
most teams build through the draft.
JP has not done well with first and second round picks as I stated above.
The 2003 pick of Aaron Hill looks to be his only bright spot before drafting Lind and Snider
Teams cannot survive without having success in the draft and Canada’s only baseball team deserves a better GM
Player “A” by the way was Ryan Howard….Player “B” was Ted Lilly. Imagine the team you could build around Ryan Howard who has already led his team to a World Series Championship.
Loyal fan of the BLUEJAYS but not of management.
Chris
MW: That’s the first time I’ve heard a Howard-for-Lilly rumour. I’d heard David Wright, but not Howard. Regardless, no one has a crystal ball. Ever. As you note yourself, everyone in the majors passed on Dustin Pedroia. Twice. Adam Lind was drafted in 2004, by the way.
- ChrisHow’s your soul doing?
MW: Not nearly as broken as I thought it would be.
- ryan fabroSay it ain’t so mike. You’re not giving up on them too, are you?
MW: No. How would you interpret that as me giving up on them?
- theelswell said
- Kyle SI don’t care what the weather is Friday night, they’d better open the roof on the dome - because the Blue Jays stink right now!
MW: Not so much. But they were never going to open it with Wakefield pitching.
- SteveHi mike,If you have to pick an (AL EAST DIVISION) all star line-up!! what would it look like?I know Roy halladay would be the starting pitcher but where do the other jays fit in?Thanks mike!
MW: Too much work on a day when I’m answering 250 comments.
- sanAmen Wilner.
But isn’t it always darkest before the dawn?
Or is it when an Acme anvil, large enough to blot out the sun, is falling directly towards the Rogers Centre?
We’ll find out soon…
- KewlDood24if there’s anything left to motivate the Jays then let it be against Boston tonight for starting this losing skid !
time to get angry about this skid and use it against Boston
MW: It has nothing to do with anger, motivation or desire.
- peterHi Mike,
You said it.Rock bottom.Hopefully.The team cannot play any worse but we are only 2 games off the pace.The Downs as a closer experiment has to come to an end.Taking him out of the set up role has thrown our bullpen out of whack.I say put him back as the set up man
call up Accardo to be the closer.He did it a couple of years ago and I think he can do it again.Rios is better as a lead off man.It takes a certain mentality to Drive in runs and I don’t think he has it.Scutaro could be a perfect #2 and Hill AT #3.Lind could be at 4 and Wells at 5.This is not perfect but things need to change especially in the bullpen.Again this year was supposed to be an off year so we have to at least find the right roles for the players so we can hit the ground running next year.
GO JAYS!!!!
MW: It’s been an incredible overreaction from so many people about this bullpen.
- marioIt could be worse…at least it’s not Boston for the next three. D’oh.
Actually I predict a new team coming out this weekend. The hitting slump is over and the arms will start to respond again.
MW: So far, so good.
- KevinHey Mike,
Not sure if you can make it happen (or push for it to happen), but it would really be nice if The JaysTalk was available via Podcast. Any chance?
MW: Nothing I can do about that.
- JonathanThis is for all those fans and especially you Mike…
That guy who predicted the jays would go into a slide losing 15 of their next 20 games doesn’t look like the “Hilarious Caller” and “typical Bandwagon Fan” as you and everyone who slammed him first thought.
He is more than half way to being right! And I’m defending him only because I hate it when fans like this are put down for their negativity and difference of opinion. He wouldn’t bother to call in if he didn’t care about the Jays. The true bandwagon fans shut their T.V’s and radios after a loss, or after a bunch of losses, or when the games out of reach. This guy mentioned talking to you two years ago and, thats not “Bandwagon Fandom” or “Typical Blue Jays Fans” because last time I checked the Jays haven’t won anything in that time and he’s still listening.
I hate it when my team loses too, just like him, so I guess I’m not supposed to call in now if I dont have something positive to say for fear that I will be yelled at, labelled or hung up on.
You are providing the real fans with an avenue to express their thoughts, good or bad, please don’t take it away from us.
Thanks
Quinn (Mississauga)
MW: I’m not taking it away from you. I’m taking away from those who are as negative as they can be just so they can feel good about themselves if they happen to be right. There was NO reason to think that the Jays were going to go into a death spiral after they got swept in Boston, even though that’s what wound up happening.
- quinnYou are the master of understatement, my friend.
I have never been so happy to have an off-day scheduled. These guys needed yesterday to regroup, to “shake it off,” as I tell the kids on the little league team that I coach.
It breaks my heart that we’re facing Wakefield tonight, ’cause I can’t even get all optimistic (my usual state!) and say, “hey, we sweep the Sox and we’re back in first.” Wakefield has their number, or rather, they don’t have his.
It’s going to take something spectacular to avoid a 10-game streak. I’m up for it - I really am - I’m just not counting on it!
MW: It didn’t take anything spectacular. Just some hits when they needed them.
- LindaHi Mike,
Do you know where Bobby Ray was sent down to? I thought it was Las Vegas, but he’s not on their roster (at least, not according to their website —but Brett Cecil is). Couldn’t see him on any of the other minor league teams’ rosters either (Lansing, Dunedin, New Hampshire…)
MW: Ray was sent to Vegas, but the option was voided and he was placed on the disabled list.
- StanMike, just a brief comment about the grammar and spelling issue. I, for one, have a hard time writing in the little box that we type in. You don’t see the entire text as it will appear and for some reason, it seems hard to follow. For me, personally, sometimes I write what I want to say, I submit my comment and as soon as I see it in dark, full text I notice something that I didn’t see when I proof read my comment the first time.
MW: Fair enough, but you can always proofread through me with another comment.
- Dan from ElmvaleWinning ugly is one thing, losing ugly, quite another.
Surely now they will release Ryan?
MW: You don’t honestly think that, do you?
- RonSweet mother of Cheez Whiz??
C’mon Mike,
I’d like to hear the real unabridged uncensored version of what you said .. no, on second thought perhaps not.
Francis
- francis x9 in a row… nothing is going right.. they were 27-14. Now theyre 27-23. That’s still a good record. By starting off so well, they gave themself room for this streak. They aren’t going to keep losing forever (I sure hope not) and I see very little reason to panic at this point. If they get to losing 15 of 17 or 16 of 19 then obviously we can really start to panic. The 93 team lost 10 of 11 at one point. It happens to all the great teams. What determines a great team is how they respond. This weekend against Boston will be that response and should give us an indication of what to expect down the stretch.
As heartbreaking as that Thursday game was, they started swinging the bat. Thats a step in the right direction. The pitching was just God awful, but what can u expect from a rotation without your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th starters and with ur bullpen and youngsters filling that void? I see the light at the end of the tunnel and I think we’re going to plow through that tunnel this weekend.
Mike, listening to your show is always great and I love the blog. Is this the shortest blog you have ever written? 10 words.. hopefully that doesnt spark 10 losses.
MW: The bullpen was awful - Wednesday - but the pitching throughout the road trip, for the most part, was just fine.
- WarrenThanks Mike for your comments on the post game show on Wednesday. May not have been the most appropriate for public radio but you certainly summed up how I felt and a assume how most Jays felt.
MW: Aw, come on. It wasn’t that bad!
- Brad HaywardHey Mike, I had a similar reaction after this last rediculous loss. Even though I was alone (except for the dog) I jumped up off the couch and yelled… “holy living ****, this can’t be happening”.
It can’t get any worse, can it?
Chris
- Chris RobertsVancouver, BC
I couldn’t have put in any better myself.
Thinking back to happier times who do you feel has been the biggest suprise on the Jays so far this season?
Personally i think Brian Tallet because he has given far more than anyone could have reasonably expected.
Thanks
MW: Tallet, Rod Barajas, Jason Frasor, Marco Scutaro, Aaron Hill - all of them have been great positive surprises.
- ukJayFor those looking for something good in all the bad here’s a quote from Yahoo! Sports that I found today:
“The only silver lining for Toronto is their losing streak was all on the road and they were technically favored to win in just three of their games. In other words, if things went as the “experts” expected Toronto would have been 3-6 so as awful as 0-9 is, it’s really only three fewer wins than projected.”
- VavaHey Mike,
In light of the bullpen being just as bad of the hitting, I’m wondering why they haven’t considered calling up Accardo in place of Camp?
MW: Join the club.
- James K.Mike…Just an observation…I notice a lot of comments complimenting your blunt, to-the-point posting that’s following a road trip from you know where….It’s bizarre that some of your well-worded and longer well-thought-out posts when the team was building its 27-14 record didn’t get the kudos that your last one did…Do people love misery that much?
MW: Yup.
- chris m.Excellent blog very succinct. I still have faith in the team however and I was just wondering if there continues to be bullpen issues do you think that Accardo might make an appearance on the big club? It seems that Cito has a penchant for lefties is that’s what’s kept him away or has he been fairly average in the minors so far?
Also I’m impressed that you don’t lose it on all the Jays talk callers that talk about what they wrote on your blog last August as if they expect you to remember. Keep fighting the good fight.
MW: I don’t think that Cito has a penchant for lefties. And thanks.
- Alex DineleyWell the streak is over. Which is a good thing. And League threw extremely well–at least so I’m told. I was looking away.
I think this question has been asked but I can’t find the post. Is it not possible to bunt on board against a knuckle-baller? When Wakefield dominated the Jays at the beginning of the streak, I don’t think anyone tried to bunt to get on-base. And Wakefield pitching from the stretch is different and more hittable than Wakefield pitching with no one on. Obviously this must be the wrong thing to do, else they would be trying it. But I can’t see why it’s the wrong thing to do…
MW: It’s not necessarily the wrong thing to do - but you try to bunt a butterfly. It’s not as easy as you think. Also, Wakefield, a former third baseman, is a very good defender.
- isabella reyesI realize this is the inappropriate thread but i have to vent. Never put me up against the news break again! I was going to talk about how SOME teams do NOT have home/away splits nearly as insane as others (BAL vs. PHI). I think emotion plays a lot more into this game than you think. I’m a dude of science… but this is hard to ignore. Minnesota - 19-11 vs 5-14? That is not an anomaly. Yes, they have the roof. Yes, they have the turf. But nobody can explain such statistical anomaly. That being said, we have a short sample this year but I remember talking to my friends last year and the year before about the exact same thing. We can talk the same about RISP. Get your producer never to put me against the clock again, Mike!!
MW: Minnesota’s home/road splits are most assuredly an anomaly, caused by small sample size. And it’s a lot easier to get what you want when you ask nicely.
- Wyatt BaileyBy the way Mike, Fire JP.
I thought you’d like that… though i do actually believe it.
MW: How did I know you would?
- Wyatt BaileyHi Mike,
Love the show, I listen often after ballgames. The tone of the callers is much better tonight!
Firstly, I’d like to add that I’d like to see Snider up after a month or so of solid production in AAA. Nothing against Millar or Bautista but I think having Snider get major league at bats would be more beneficial for his development than biding time in Vegas.
Also, I don’t think Choate is the new closer in Tampa. He was just used situationally tonight to get Mauer, Wheeler got the first two outs of the ninth and Howell pitched the eighth. Either eay, that pen’s a mess!
Take care,
Chris
MW: That makes a lot more sense. Choate has always been one of those LOOGYs.
- Chris in IslingtonThe losing streak is over! Quick sweep and back in first place. Playoffs here we come.
Thinking positive here.
MW: More like setting yourself up to be disappointed. Why can’t it just be “the losing streak is over!”? Why does “playoffs, here we come” have to follow?
- OzRobMW: How did I know you would?
Probably because anyone who doesn’t fully agree with you has to be delusional… or something.
If you want to have a JP talk at some point I’m here.
MW: Sorry, that’s been done to death.
- Wyatt Bailey“MW: Minnesota’s home/road splits are most assuredly an anomaly, caused by small sample size. And it’s a lot easier to get what you want when you ask nicely.”
Ok. Sorry Tsar Mike and un-rememebered-named producer. Please, I beg of thee, do not put me against a break.
MW: See, that’s not the way to do it.
- Wyatt BaileyHello Mike,
- Richard DearingSo here I am from England and we beat the Red Sox in game one.
Hope this is the start of a great homestand
Richard.
By the way, what IS your producer’s name? He seemed much friendlier. I know you’ve said it on air before but I have a bad memory, sorry.
MW: Again, I don’t get it. First an insult, then you expect me to answer a question.
- Wyatt BaileyFirst question is… what’s your record # of comments actually posted on one blog?
Second, because I’m happy we won, but it doesn’t really mean any more that any one of the nine prior losses, a totally irrelevant question…
Who would you pick as your all time Jay starting rotation, based on their performance in the Blue Jay uniform?
My five are, in no particular order, Stieb, Key, Halladay, Clemens, Guzman.
Thanks for all your time and hard work Mike!
MW: That’s a pretty strong starting five. I might sneak a Cone or a Clancy in there over Clemens just because he’s Clemens.
- Greg WI super-duper-apologize for making a bunch of small messages in a row. It’s my style. But I just recalled how Tallet somewhat took responsiblity for “what he started” and that broke my heart. I haven’t been paying attention to the 9 game losing streak Jays Blog, forgive me, I can’t stand some of the stuff.
I love Tallet.
- Wyatt BaileyHi MIKE 227 responces ,Ya responded to everybody and yet the Leaf blog is at the top.. What do they do with that blog.. Talk about how the Leafs are doing on the course.. Anyway Mike. I was wondering what your take is on Scott Richmond going to the bull-pen.. Obviously he would be a shoe in for long relief but I think he deserves better.. Do you think they are going to plug him back in the starting roll? You might have already adressed this question with 227 responces but I would like to know your take on it .. Great job Mike..
MW: Richmond is only in the bullpen because he’s the 5th starter and they don’t need him to start until next Saturday.
- FLIPPER“MW: Minnesota’s home/road splits are most assuredly an anomaly, caused by small sample size. And it’s a lot easier to get what you want when you ask nicely.”
Ok. Sorry Tsar Mike and un-rememebered-named producer. Please, I beg of thee, do not put me against a break.
MW: See, that’s not the way to do it.”
Come on Mike, loosen up a little. You know I’m just joking with you. I really do like your producer, he was very kind, and I like your manner towards me on the radio even though you probably despise me. I also know you hate that I make a bunch of messages in a row. And for that, I really do apologize, I just get caught up sometimes.
- Wyatt BaileyMike,
Do you know what happened to Otis Nixon tonight? I thought he was supposed to be here for Flashback Fridays.
MW: Something did happen that kept him from attending, but they didn’t tell us what it was.
- Bernard SinghHey Mike, never miss the shows (game day and weekly), and love the blog. Glad your head is okay!
Nice bounce back by the Jays tonight, great to see some two out hitting with RISP.
“MW: That’s a pretty strong starting five. I might sneak a Cone or a Clancy in there over Clemens just because he’s Clemens.” (post 232)
Clancy? Really? Before Hentgen? (’96 “I’ve got late hard break on all of my pitches” Hentgen, not ‘04 “I’m throwing beach balls” Hentgen)
Someone called in tonight and asked why teams are better at home, and I thought that your response was exactly right, especially with regards to teams building their teams around their parks. If a team is torn between signing one of two players, the smart ones will take the park into account. Or in the Yankees case, build the park to suit your players (Ruth’s short porch in right). There is a long list of left handed power hitting Yankees that took full advantage.
There was originally a paragraph here where I took a shot at Ryan, but I erased it because as much as I’ve been one of his biggest critics in the past (I even sank so low as to refer to him as “BJ Koch” recently), I’ve come to realize that I feel bad for the guy. I can’t think of anything more difficult for a pro athlete than to struggle like he has this year and then to lose the closer spot (for the time being, at least). I have to give him credit for embracing his new role with a positive attitude in what must be a difficult time for him. I don’t know if he has a future with this team, but I wish him the best of luck.
MW: Hentgen wasn’t one of the guys who immediately popped into my head, unfortunately. He should have. I blame it on it being comment #232.
- Terry BradleyMike, re Post #74 — Red’s comment was “they only needed one win out of their last six”, and your response was “they only needed one of their last three, but they lost their last seven in a row”
HUH?? If they only needed one more win, then ANY ONE of the last seven would have worked. How then does Red’s comment require a correction?
To Post #156 — you didn’t answer the (perhaps rhetorical) question “when was Carlson’s last good outing” (I paraphrase). How soon we fans forget!!! Actually, Jesse had a 5 up 5 down outing just ONE night earlier, in the R. Romero start.
One more point, re Accardo: “everyone” wants him back, and I would agree, but ONLY IF he has regained his splitter. And from his numbers (ok, but not great) there is no way to tell one way or the other whether he has. You can’t tell from the box scores what pitches he is throwing. Since the effectiveness of that particular pitch is so critical, I think we simply have to allow the Jays’ brain trust to decide when to bring him up (if at all).
MW: Only the first and the last three of the seven would have worked, because those wins would also have meant a Detroit loss. Even then, if they’d beaten Detroit once over that last week, they’d only have forced a one-game playoff for the division.
- NormThanks for the FYI on Otis Nixon Mike, much appreciated!!
MW: No problem, though there wasn’t much “I” there.
- Bernard Singh“MW: Hentgen wasn’t one of the guys who immediately popped into my head, unfortunately. He should have. I blame it on it being comment #232.”
Fair enough, you’re a popular guy these days. :)
- Terry Bradleyknow this has been talked about but it really amazes me how little confidence Cito has in Frasor. No matter how well the guy pitches, he just won’t bring him into a game that the jays are ahead by two runs or less.
What happened to League by the way, Cito doesn’t seem to ever use him anymore. (unless he pitched yesterday, I missed the game did he?)
I’m not panicking yet, I still think we have a very good ball club. What worries me the least is that the starting pitching actually held up reasonably over this road trip. Tallet was great, Halladay was himself, Jannssen threw a quality game. Richmond was fine. Romero wasn’t great but he wasn’t AWFUL.
It’s been the hitting and the bullpen that has pooped the bed and I KNOW we have a great bullpen. (everyone has bad weeks) I also truly believe we have an elite offense and that they will snap out of this slump, I just hope it is sooner than later because I think it will take 90 to get into the playoffs. (I’ve argued with you many times about how many games it takes to get into the playoffs. Last season it took 96 because that’s how many games the Jays would have needed to finish ahead of Boston and win the wild card. Not 90 because that’s how many Boston needed to get in.
MW: Last year it took 90 because that’s how many the wild card team actually needed to win to get the wild card, all else involves separate space-time continuua. You’re right about Frasor, though. I have tried to explain above.
I hate getting into these kinda debated with you because they aren’t really about baseball but I just want to make my case. We are all interested in how many games it will take our beloved Blue Jays to get into the playoffs. Not how many games any other teams will need to win. That being said we are looking at historical numbers to predict how many the JAYS will need this year to get in.
So we see last year that the JAYS would have needed 96. If they had won 90 or 91 they would not have gotten in. That is why I take 96 as the predictor for this season. (I don`t think the number will actually be 96 this year though. Probably in the lower 90`s.)
Now I understand that they could have won a couple more games against Boston and potentially needed less than 96 but that is a small issue and I am still comfortable using my method of predicting how many we will need over yours.
I have discussed this with my friends and half the people (approximately) agree with me while half agree with you.
It`s a different perpsective I guess.
MW: A different perspective, indeed.
- joshGiven this promising entry,I hope and expect to see a future blog from you in haiku.
MW: There’s all sorts of benefits to hope, but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
- Ben