George Springer hit a 2-run HR in a 10-4 loss to the Rangers |
After blowing out the Rangers yesterday thanks to a huge 18-hit, 14-run outburst, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 10th series sweep of the season. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 10th series sweep of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Rangers opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Marcus Semien whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Rowdy Tellez
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Alejandro Kirk belted a solo jack to left-center
- The Rangers added a run in the top of the 4th as Jake Burger singled scoring Semien
- Two batters later, Jonah Heim singled scoring Burger and Cody Freeman
- The Rangers added a run in the top of the 5th as Cory Seager smacked a solo blast to the opposite field in left
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 4.1IP 10H 6R (all earned) 0BB 2K 87 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Rangers added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th as Wyatt Langford hammered a 2-run bomb to the second deck in left; also scoring Josh Smith
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr hammered a solo bomb to the second deck in left-center
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom of the 8th as George Springer hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Myles Straw
- The Rangers added a pair of runs in the top of the 9th a s Evan Carter smashed a 2-run blast to right-center; also scoring Seager
- Final score: Rangers 10 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Jose Berrios was lit up for 6 runs on 10 hits while walking none and striking out 2 over 4.1 innings. Could it be Jose Berrios that is relegated to bullpen status in the postseason. Berrios can be very good or have clunkers like today where the opposition is not fooled but what he is offering. Plus, Berrios is prone to giving up the long ball (he was taken deep twice this afternoon). There's no question he'll have a role in the postseason, but you can't be giving up home runs the way he has a tendency to do and you need to get out of innings efficiently. Unless he is really dialed in as he was in game 2 of the 2023 wild card series in Minnesota, he will be on a short leash and likely Eric Lauer will be asked to eat up a few innings. Lots of interesting decisions to be made as far as the playoff roster is concerned but the rotation and bullpen are arguably the most important pieces of the roster.
- The bullpen gave up 5 runs on 6 hits while walking 4 and striking out 1 over the last 4.2 innings. It appears pitching could be a major issue for the Blue Jays come the postseason. Never mind figuring out who will close the game, the team actually needs a lead in the 9th inning. Louis Varland, who looked great his first few appearances in a Blue Jays uniform, has now given up a home run in two straight days. Mason Fluharty got the Blue Jays out of the 5th inning, but walked 2 batters in the process. Relievers need to throw strikes when they come into the game. The Blue Jays are going to need to manage the bullpen down the sttretch or the season will end like it did in 2022 when the bullpen blew an 8-1 lead in a game that saw the Mariners score 9 times in the last innings. That scenario could very well play out again given the pitchers continue to allow home runs and walk batters at inopportune times
- Offensively, Vlad, George Springer and Alejandro Kirk all went deep. Interesting that Vlad opted not to gloat and wear the home run jacket on his long ball. Perhaps it was because his home run made the score 8-2. I still think the jacket should be repurposed as a player of the game jacket handed out in the locker room, much like they do in the NHL. It would be much more meaningful and motivating than wearing it on a home run that may not impact the outcome, as was the case today.
- The Blue Jays were 0-3 with runners in scoring position
- The Blue Jays received help on the scoreboard with the Red Sox, Astros and Tigers all losing (although the Yankees won). This means the Blue Jays remain 1st in the AL East, 5 games up on the Red Sox and 5.5 games up on the Yankees. They also have the best record of the 3 division leaders, which would mean a bye to the divisional round and home field advantage through the ALCS.
- Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road, starting in Pittsburgh tomorrow night. The Blue Jays won the season series against the Pirates last year, but the Pirates outscored the Blue Jays 15-11. Kevin Gausman starts against Pirates righty and ace Paul Skenes.