Game #99 - Chicago White Sox (51-46) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-52)

 

Oh, hai..you can call me Snakeface :)

A win is a win....

Not much in the way of offense (again) but the pitching was stellar and it propelled the Jays to a 1-0 win.

Today's early (very early) start finds the Jays in the position to take the series from the ChiSox.

Maybe we can score a tad more than yesterday...we shall find out soon....very soon.

On a sad note, most of you probably know about the passing of Duane Ward during his stay in Toronto this weekend.

What can you say about Duane except that he was one of, if not the best relievers that the club ever had.

You can look up his stats but I'll leave you with some of my memories about him.

The guy was nails and made some of the most feared sluggers of his day look plain silly.

I always loved seeing Canseco flailing against Duane's breaking pitches...just so much fun.

He sweated a lot...but we never did when he was on the mound.

Rest in peace Duane. You'll be greatly missed.

JiTH Spotlight Time!!!

Today's spotlight falls on Catcher On The Rye...

Actual footage of Catcher watching Vlad's AB's yesterday...

Hey Tommy!! I got this one done on time!!! :P

Game #98 - Chicago White Sox (51-46) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-52) - game recap

 

Shane Bieber threw 6 shutout innings in a 1-0 shutout win over the White Sox

After a blowout loss yesterday after a bad day for the pitchers, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3 game skid and avoid their 16th series loss of the season. Brendon Little and Lazaro Estrada were recalled from AAA-ball and lefty Adam Macko and righty CJ Van Eyk were optioned to AAA-ball. Shane Bieber got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Jonatan Clase in LF.  Nathan Lukes got the start in RF. Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 16th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as George Springer singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Davis Martin pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 5K 
• Shane Bieber pitching line: 6IP 3H 0R 2BB 6K 80 pitches (51 for strikes)
• Louis Varland threw a perfect 9th for his 20th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 1 White Sox 0

My Take:

• Shane Bieber fired 6 shutout innings, scattering 3 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. This was his best start of the season after missing 2 months with issues ramping up in spring training. He could be one of the assets traded at the deadline unless the Blue Jays get hot and quick. Bieber won the 2020 Cy Young, so he can pitch when he is locating his pitches as he was today. He avoids a tough Rays lineup. Lets see how things go in Boston next week.
• The bullpen threw 3 shutout innings, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out 4. Louis Varland is definitely getting some Cy Young votes and should seriously be considered for reliever of the year. He's been automatic with save opportunities, notching 20 straight saves.
• The offense did juuust enough to carry the day. George Springer knocked in the only run on a clutch RBI single in the 4th on a day where apparently the bats were most impacted by the delayed start due to the pregame ceremony honoring the 2 world series teams
• Fun fact: I have a ball autographed by one of the entire world series squads (I can't remember whether it was the 1992 or 1993 team). Also Roberto Alomar autographed a different ball at a signing event at Metrotown mall when I was volunteering nearby)
• Both teams were 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 1-4 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 12th series win of the season. Trey Yesavage starts against White Sox righty Sean Burke 

Game #98 - Chicago White Sox (51-45) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-52)

 

Blink and you may have missed my time in Toronto...

Last night was putrid, pathetic, and preposterous.

Perhaps today will be better.

I'm getting the gut feeling that this team might mentally check out soon.

Other things to ponder...what time do you think people started lining up for those cheap replica World Series rings?

I'm guessing 7 am.

Special JiTH Milestone Event!!!!

Congratulations to It's All Over on the occasion of his leaving JiTH for the one millionth time!

Good work IAO and we look forward to the next million...

Game #97 - Chicago White Sox (51-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-52) - game recap

 

George Springer drove in a pair of runs, including a solo HR, in a 12-4 loss to the White Sox

After a muc needed few days of R and R, especially for the pitchers and banged up players like Vlad, the Blue Jays opened the unofficial start to the second half as they welcomed the White Sox to town. The White Sox swept the series in Chicago, outscoring the Blue Jays 14-7. Spencer Miles got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after a half day off as DH last Sunday (Brandon Valenzuela served as DH tonight). George Springer was in LF and Myles Straw was in RF. Ernie Clement was at SS and Luis Urias got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid, avoid their 10th season series loss of the season and start the unofficial 2nd half with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Kyle Teel doubled scoring Colson Montgomery
• A batter later, Andrew Benintendi scored on a fielder's choice on a ball hit by Braden Montgomery 
• Two batters later, Chase Meidroth singled home Montgomery
• A batter later, Sam Antonacci hammered a 2-run bomb off the basing of the 3rd deck in right; also scoring Meidroth
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 3rd on a fielder's choice hit by George Springer that scored Ernie Clement
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 3rd as Luis Urias whacked a solo blast to left
• The White Sox added 3 runs in the top of the 5th as Montgomery (Colston) doubled scoring Meidroth, Antonaccii and Munetaka Murakami
• Spencer Miles pitching line: 4IP 6H 6R (all earned) 0BB 4K 60 pitches (42 fot strikes)
• Anthony Kay pitching line: 4IP 2H 2R (both earned) 3BB 5K 83  pitches (47 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Springer smacked a solo blast to left
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Brandon Valenzuela whacked a solo blast to right
• The White Sox added 3 runs in the top of the 7th as Montgomery (Braden) tripled scoring Miguel Vargas, Montgomery (Colson) and Randal Grichuk
• A batter later, Montgomery scored on a sac fly by Tristan Peters
• Final score: White Sox 12 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Spencer Miles battled through 4 innings, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits while walking none and striking out 4. It was really 1 bad inning that did him in in the 2nd inning where he gave up 5 runs on 5 hits. He retired the side in order in the 1st and 3rd innings. Unfortunate bad inning that doesn't take away from the solid 1st half he had. His next assignment? The mighty Rays, who started the unofficial second half a full 12 games ahead of the Blue Jays and 1st in the AL East
• The bullpen gave up 6 runs on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3 over the last 5 innings. Adam Macko has been less effective lately. Could he be swapped for Brendon Little soon?
• The offense chipped away at the deficit scoring runs in innings 3-6. George Springer (2RBI including a solo HR), Luis Urias (solo HR) and Brandon Valenzuela (solo HR) led the way.
• Alejandro Kirk was 2-1 on ABS challenges and White Sox catcher Kyle Teel was 2-2 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position
• This series features two squads with opposite trends. The White Sox lost over 100 games last year and are currently 1st in the AL Central. The Blue Jays came within a game of winning the world series in 2025 and are currently below .500 and last in the AL East
• They need to change the rule about managers in the world series managing the following year's all-star game. The honor should go to the managers of the best team of the 1st half.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 3-game skid and avoid their 16th series loss of the season. Shane Bieber starts against White Sox righty Davis Martin

Game #97 - Chicago White Sox (50-45) @ Toronto Blue Jays (45-51)

 

Some things never look right....sigh.

Everything in Canada is on fire...the land, the air, Dabs BBQ...

What isn't on fire is the Jays.

The second half begins tonight with the first place (!) White Sox facing the last place (sigh) Jays.

Will the Jays be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline?

I have no clue...but it all starts here...

JiTH Spotlight On Joe McD

Let's peek in on Joe as he grapples with Twitter (X)...

Hang in there Joe!