Game 16 - Rockies @ Blue Jays April 14th Game Recap

Win the Series, Then Improve

Jose Berrios is the ace of the Blue Jays staff and I am so comfortable when he is on the mound. He didn’t look like he had his best stuff today, but he found a way to throw seven innings with only two hits and two walks given up. Granted, that was the Rockies he was up against today but that kind of stat line is what you want to see against a team you should beat. Following up on the great start, the bullpen threw two innings with no hits and three strikeouts. I’m so pleased with the pitching this year. Nate Pearson looks like a new pitcher and I have to wonder if he will try and be a starter in his career. All of these reliever innings must have built up his confidence. He doesn’t lose the zone like he used to and I’m starting to wonder if he has a future as a starter?

The Blue Jays’ bats did a much better job in this game. This is the type of game where the hitting is consistent, and the pitching is dominant. Bo and Vlad are still in the disappointment room, but Justin Turner was the clutch hitting the Blue Jays’ never had last year. My dejected fandom heart is slightly warmed when I see a competent at-bat when there are runners in scoring position.

What’s annoying is a second game in a row where baserunning leads to an out. Ernie Clement gets picked off at third by the catcher. I know he slipped but there was nothing to gain by being that far off the bag. You have to trust that one of the next two batters will get a single to get you in. I like that I’m seeing more stolen bases by Jays’ runners. I’m glad there is an aggression that lives in the Blue Jays DNA but the risk envelope is being opened a little too far at the moment.

Job one for a team is to win the series. The Blue Jays accomplished that. That’s two series wins in a row and the team is back to a 500 record. Just in time for the Yankees to come to town. I think it’s great that the Blue Jays must keep the focus they have found into a series against the team with the best record in baseball.

Season (8-8) Player of the Game: Jose Berrios (2)

Season PotG: WINS: Biggio (1), Schneider (1), Turner (1), Kikuchi (1), Berrios (1), Bassitt (1), Varsho (1) LOSSES: Springer (2), Varsho (2), Kiermaier (1), Schneider (1), Bichette (1), Garcia (1)

The Rest of the East

Tampa Bay (9-7) - They beat the Giants. The Giants were never in this game. This series travelled a long way from the San Francisco blow out two days ago to the Rays being in control for the last eighteen innings of the series.

Baltimore (9-6) - The Orioles won a tough one and I think they needed this win. It was getting to the point where teams they play probably feel like they could play with (and beat) this talented young team. No one wants to be swept at home. Jackson Holliday also got his first major league hit in this game, and I happen to be watching the moment it happened. That was fun.

New York (12-4) - What a fun game. It looked like the Yankees were going to run away with the victory but the Guardians kept coming. I’m repeating myself but the Yankees are scary. This game included hits from Rizzo, Stanton and Judge. Ironic that they lost this one. However, if those three get going; a team that is already eight games above 500 will become more of a monster. I must mention because it was so frustrating in-game. Josh Naylor had a terrible day on the basepaths. It all worked out, but man-o-man, it was more adventure than I wanted to see being a fan rooting for his team to win.

Boston (9-7) - They beat the Angels. The Angels are trash. Their fans deserve better.

Thanks for reading.