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)

 

Game #121 Chicago Cubs (67-51) v. Toronto Blue Jays (70-50)

 

- Game #120 Chicago Cubs (67-51) @ Toronto Blue Jays (70-50) - game recap

 

Ernie Clement hit a 3-run HR in a 5-1 victory over the Cubs

After an off-day yesterday, the Blue Jays started a week-long homestand as they welcomed the Chicago Cubs to town. The Cubs took the season series laat year, outscoring the Blue Jays 9-8. Andres Gimenez was activated off the 10-day IL and got the start at 2B and Buddy Kennedy was DFA'd. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Nathan Lukes was in LF and Addison Barger was in RF. Ernie Clement got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 2 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk singled scoring Bo Bichette 
• The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th as Ernie Clement whacked a 3-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Daulton
• Javier Assad pitching line: 4IP 8H 4R (all earned) 1BB 2K 70 pitches (48 for strikes)
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 5.1IP 2H 0R 4BB 3K 91 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Cubs got one back in the top of the 7th as Michael Busch singled scoring Dansby Swanson
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Daulton Varsho belted a solo jack to right and into the Cubs bullpen
• Final score: Blue Jays 5 Cubs 1

My Take:

• Jose Berrios threw 5.1 shutout innings, scattering 2 hits, walking 4 and striking out 3. Berrios retired the first 5 batters he faced and another out streak of 6 batters. There is a good chance that he'll be a bullpen option in the playoffs. At this point, playoff rotation looks like it'll be (in no particular order) Kevin Gausman, Eric Lauer, Shance Bieber and Max Scherzer. 
• The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 6 over the last 3.2 innings. It will be interesting to see who is the Blue Jays closer going into the playoffs in 6 weeks. Jeff Hoffman has 26 saves on the season, but he has blown 5 saves and has had control issues of late. Louis Varland has looked great early in his stint with the Blue Jays and the team needs a good closer in the 9th.
• Bo Bichette (RBI single), Ernie Clement (3-run HR) and Daulton Varsho (2 runs scored, including solo HR) carried the day offensively
• The win kept the division lead over the Yankees and Red Sox, who both had blowout wins, at 6 and 4.5 games. If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Blue Jays would have home field advantage through the ALCS and be receiving a key bye to the divisional round.
• The Blue Jays were 3-8 with runners in scoring position
• The Blue Jays have the same record after 120 games as the 1992 world series winning season. The 1993 team was 69-71 after 120 games. This Blue Jays team needs to go 30-12 the rest of the way for their franchises first 100 win season. If this is accomplished the Blue Jays will likely go into the playoffs red hot.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 21st series win and 14 season series win of the season. They will also be looking to improve their record on my birthday (August 13) to 22-22 on my birthdday and extend that win streak to 4 games. Kevin Gausman starts against Cubs righty Cade Horton.