Game #100 - Tampa Bay Rays (56-42) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-53)

 

My name isn't Ken...honestly, I'm not joshing you.

Game number 100....ain't much time left boys.

If you aren't going to win at least be entertaining.

After yesterday's snoozefest we're all hoping for some signs of life.

However, considering that Satan's team is in town I'm not expecting much.

So settle in and hopefully we'll witness another Cease gem.

Special JiTH Expert Analysis!!

Watching this offense be like:

Do something FFS!!

Game #99 Chicago White Sox (52-46) @ Toronto Blue Jays (46-53) - game recap

 

Mason Fluharty retired all 4 batters he faced in a 3-0 shutout loss to the White Sox

After eking out a win on the strength of a strong effort from Shane Bieber, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 12th series win of the season. Trey Yesavage got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Vlad got the half day off as DH with Sean Keys at 1B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 12th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The White Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 4th on a sac fly by Andrew Benintendi that scored Miguel Vargas
• The White Sox added a run in the top of the 6th as Colston Montgomery belted a solo jack to right-center and into the White Sox bullpen
• Two batters later, Braden Montgomery singled scoring Benintendi
• Trey Yesavage pitching line: 6IP 5H 3R (all earned) 2BB 9K 95 pitches (69 for strikes)
• Sean Burke pitching line: 6.2IP 2H 0R 1BB 5K 98 pitches (69 for strikes)
• Grant Taylor pitched a scoreless 9th for his 5th save of the season
• Final score: White Sox 3 Blue Jays 0

My Take:

• Trey Yesavage fired 6 strong innings, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits while walking 2 and striking out 9. He retired 9 of the first 10 batters he faced. It's been an up and down season for Yesavage, who missed the first month with a shoulder impingement. Hopefully he can build some momentum with a series of solid starts to build on whenever baseball starts (there is likely to be a delay to next season due to a lockout)
• The bullpen pitched 3 scoreless innings, giving up 1 hit, walking none and striking out 3. Mason Fluharty and Lazaro Estrada both retired every batter they faced
• The offense? A measly 4 hits and 1 walk. Nathan Lukes had half the hits and half the hits never left the infield.
• The White Sox were 2-2 on ABS challenges and the Blue Jays successfully overturned all three ABS challeanges
• The Blue Jays were 0-2 with runners in scoring position.
• Very sad to hear about the news of the sudden passing of the best closer in Blue Jays history Duane Ward. May he rest in peace
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to start the week with a win as they welcome the Rays, who are 5-1 against the Bklue Jays this season, outscoring the Blue Jays 30-20. Dylan Cease starts against Rays righty Nick Martinez.

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...