Game #124 Texas Rangers (61-62) v. Toronto Blue Jays (72-51)

 

Game #123 Texas Rangers (61-62) @ Toronto Blue Jays (72-51) - game recap

 

Alejandro Kirk drove in 4 runs, including a 2-run HR in a 6-5 come-from-behind win over the Rangers

After edging the Cubs yesterday thanks to a strong start from Max Scherzer and a 2-run HR off the bat of Vlad, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games as they welcomed the Texas Rangers to town. The Blue Jays won the series in Texas back at the end of May, outscoring the Rangers 4-3. Chris Bassitt got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Bo Bichette got the half day off as DH with Ernie Clement at SS. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Joey Loperfido was in LF, Daulton Varsho was in CF and Nathan Lukes was in RF. Andres Gimenez got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Kyle Higashioka whacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Marcus Semien and Rowdy Tellez 
• Chris Bassitt pitching line: 5IP 4H 3R (all earned) 4BB 4K 100 pitches (57 got strikes
• Jacob DeGrom pitching line: 5IP 2H 0R 0BB 5K 84 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 7th as Alejandro Kirk whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right-center and into the  Rangers bullpen; also scoring Daulton Varsho
• The Rangers added a pair of runs in the top of the 8th as Semien belted a 2-run jack to left-center; also scoring Evan Carter
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Bo Bichette singled scoring Andres Gimenez
• Four batters later, Davis Schneider was forced in on a bases loaded walk to Varsho
• A batter later, Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• Jeff Hoffman threw a perfect 9th for his 28th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Rangers 5

My Take:

• Chris Bassitt gave up three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out four. He had a tough 2nd inning, giving up a 3-run HR after walking a batter and striking out a batter. Home runs have been a big issue for the Blue Jays pitchers this season.  They have been taken deep 110 times thus far with only the Athletics surrendering more. Bassitt could be the odd man out once Shane Bieber returns from Tommy John surgery. He'll almost certainly be either left off the playoff roster entirely or relegated to the bullpen. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 2 and striking out 7 over the last 4 innings. Jeff Hoffman, who was nasty tonight, and Yariel Rodriguez retired every batter they faced.
• The comeback kids did it again. The Blue Jays, led by Alejandro Kirk, who drove in 4 runs, including himself on a 2-run HR in the 7th inning. This team is never out of it and will be a dangerous team in the playoffs 
• The Blue Jays  were 2-9 with runners in scoring position.
• It is player's weekend this weekend, an annual event where the player's use specially designed bats and go by their nicknames. Originally it ran from 2017-2019, but was brought back last season. The teams wore special uniforms with color schemes similar to their everyday uniforms and in 2017 the uniforms had a tribute patch on the right sleeve for players to thank those who helped them get to the bigs (parents, sister, etc). In 2019, the uniforms were terrible with half the teams wearing all white and the other half wearing all black. You could not see the names or numbers on the back of the jerseys.This year and last year, players got to custom design their bats. The legue should bring back the colorful uniforms and keep the specially designed bats and cleats from the relaunch of this fun event.
• With the win, the Blue Jays maintained their 5-game lead for the AL East division title over the Red Sox, who won their game
• Up next, the Blue Jays try extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 22nd series win and 15th season series win of the season. Eric Lauer starts against Rangers lefty Patrick Corbin

Game #123 Texas Rangers (61-61) v. Toronto Blue Jays (71-51) AppleTV Exclusive

 

Game #122 Chicago Cubs (68-52) @ Toronto Blue Jays (71-51) - game recap

 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 2-run HR in a 2-1 comeback win over the Cubs

After dropping yesterday's game due to an inept offense, the Blue Jays were looking to notch their 21st series win (14th season series win of the season). Max Scherzer got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Ty France at 1B. Addison Barger was back in the field at the hot corner after DH'ing yesterday. Davis Schneider was in LF, Myles Straw was in CF and Joey Loperfido was in RF. Ernie Clement got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays notch their 21st series win and 14th season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Cubs took the lead in the top of the 6th as Michael Busch whacked a solo blast to right-center
• The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smacked a 2-run blast to left-center; also scoring Davis Schneider
• Max Scherzer pitching line: 7IP 5H 1R (earned) 1BB 3K 78 pitches (57 for strikes)
• Matthew Boyd pitching line: 7IP 2H 2R ( both earned) 1BB 5K 78 pitches (58 for strikes
• Jeff Hoffman threw a scoreless 9th for his 27h save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Cubs 1

My Take:

• Both starters today matched each other almost pitch for pitch. Max Scherzer and Matthew Boyd both threw 78 pitches with Boyd throwing an extra strike, walking an extra batter and giving up his home run with a runner on base, whereas the bases were empty when Michael Busch went deep off Scherzer. Max Scherzer also surrender three extra base hits. There's no question that Scherzer should be on the playoff roster and really I'd have him start game two the way he is pitching.
• The bullpen threw 2 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and walking a batter. Jeff Hoffman will and should be the closer the rest of the season and in the playoffs, but much like his predecessor Jordan Romano, Hoffman has a tendency to make things interesting in the 9th. Seranthony Dominguez got a huge strikeout to end the 8th.
• Vlad went deep in the 7th to give the Blue Jays the lead. The team will need more of that from him down the stretch
• The Blue Jays were 1-3 with runners in scoring position
• It was the Blue Jays 38th comeback win of the season. The 1992 team had 40 comeback wins and the 1993 team had 44 comeback wins. 
• The Blue Jays also gained a half game on the idle Red Sox and Yankees, boosting their division lead to 5 games over the Red Sox and 6.5 games over the Yankees
• Today's game was over in 2 hours and 6 minutes. The game was already in the 6th inning by the time the game was an hour old. Roy Halladay was the starter in the fastest game in franchise history May 10, 2005 against the Royals. The game of baseball is very different than it was at that time. For one thing, both starters in that game threw complete games. Today, Scherzer and Boyd were both done after 7 innings and 78 pitches each. Another big difference is the pitch clock, which didn't exist in 2005. Games ending in under 2 hours were rare back then and the average game was over three hours. Today, you see more games finishing under three hours. Baseball is the only major sport where there is no game clock (aside from the pitch clock) dictating the length of the game. Each inning lasts however long it takes to record 3 outs. The MLB was forced to introduce the pitch clock and other measures to keep games relatively short since players often wasted a lot of time during games stepping out of the batter's box to adjust their batting gloves or pitchers would take forever when there were base runners on base, throwing over or holding the ball or taking their time with pitch selection. Also, pitch calling is largely done electronically now through pitch com, where as catchers had to flash signs with their fingers in 2005. Finally, there were generally more mound visits in 2005, which also slowed the game down.
• Up next, the Blue Jays face another tough test as the Texas Rangers come to town. The Blue Jays won the series in Texas back at the end of May, outscoring the Rangers 4-3. Chris Bassitt starts against Rangers righty Jacob DeGrom

Game #122 Chicago Cubs (68-51) v. Toronto Blue Jays (70-51)