Game 7 - Jays @ Astros Apr 3rd Game Recap
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Blue Jays were one hit in the same series where they were no-hit. The Blue Jays scored 2 runs in three games. How do I say the same thing over and over?
The Blue Jays are not a good baseball team.
Where are they going to get better? What the hell happened to the offense's “deep dive” and “reorganization” during the offseason? If that was such a focus, how is this team so unfocused to start the season? This team isn’t threatening. They can’t string anything together. There is no help on the way, and the hitting might be worse than last year.
For a long time, I felt like ownership and the front office were letting the team down. I know I’m sort of repeating myself, but hang in there. In the last few seasons, the players got the dollars and the support, and they sort of performed but fell WAY short of what they should have accomplished. Now I look at the roster, it’s thin. I look at the prospects, they are thin. I look at the coaching staff, they are as uninspiring as the players on the field. I look at Teo, Lourdes, and Gaby in the NL West; teams are going out of their way not to pitch to these players.
The Front Office absolutely missed the trades that sent three quality offensive players to other teams. Players, Coaching, and Roster management are all in a terrible place, and there are no solutions other than the players playing better. They are playing so much like last season; there is no pilot light to start the run that this team will need to go on to be competitive.
Better Than the Locker Room
What must the conversation be like in the locker room? I know how it felt to lose two or three rec league softball games in a row, and I paid to be there. These guys are type-A athletes. They are collectively playing some of the worst Blue Jays baseball we’ve seen in ten years.
I hate that they are taking this level of play into New York, where they will most likely get rocked by the Yankees. I hate that they have to take this level of play home soon. They must find a way to turn their fortunes around before their home opener. The Blue Jays need to win two of three in New York or this season will slip away.
Doomer? Sure, but you tell me where the improvement even begins. Five players are hitting above 225. One is IKF, another was the last guy to make the opening day roster, and the third is a guy not getting playing time and was the only RBI producer in Houston.
This is the widest gap between my expectations of the team and the performance I have ever experienced in my 40+ years of fandom.
Season (3-4) Player of the Game: Kiermaier (1) somehow had a positive score, this is not deserved. Please note the names you don’t see on this list.
Season PotG: WINS: Biggio (1), Schneider (1), Turner (1) LOSSES: Springer (2), Varsho (1)
The Rest of the East
Tampa Bay (3-4) - Eovaldi looked really good in this game. The Rays bats never looked dangerous. When they finally scored a run, it was after the Rangers found a 4-run lead in the 9th innings. From a Jays’ perspective, I was happy to see Civale pitch well for the Rays in this game. Makes me feel better about the Jays not hitting well in the game he pitched against them. I’m not sure about the Rays yet. The East feels like it has two teams with identities and three teams searching. First seeker to find their game gets to play along with the O’s and Yanks.
Baltimore (4-2) - The comeback kids get the job done against the Royals. Wow, I remember when the Royals bullpen was lights out. Now, not so much. The Orioles didn’t look scary today but they played well enough to win and they get the series victory. The number of runners left on base by the Royals and the blown lead tell me this was a Royals loss more than an Orioles win, but a win is a win. The Orioles now go on the road having won both series at home and keeping pace with the Yankees today.
New York (6-1) - A bulk of their game against the Diamondback was low scoring and the D-Backs looked like they were going to get the victory. Then the bullpens got involved and the runs started running. Soto has cooled but Home Runs by Judge and Verdugo show signs that the bats might be turning the corner. The Yankees made it home, going 6-1 on the road and they face a Jays team on Thursday that plays some iffy baseball right now.
Boston (5-2) - The Red Sox beat the A’s thanks to a sac fly and an A’s lineup that hits worse than the Blue Jays. Mean? Maybe, but the Jays have earned my frustration. The Red Sox have a great record to start the season, but I think they are the beneficiary of a lackluster schedule. The Mariners and A’s aren’t what I would call trend establishing teams to play. They are the teams you are supposed to beat, and the Red Sox beat them, barely. An extra innings win, and a 1-run win doesn’t inspire long-term confidence. However, short-term confidence can turn into a win streak and win streaks can make a season.
