Game #125 Texas Rangers (62-63) @ Toronto Blue Jays (73-52) - game recap

 

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.

Game #125 Texas Rangers (61-63) v. Toronto Blue Jays (73-51)

 

Game #124 Texas Rangers (61-63) @ Toronto Blue Jays (73-51) - game recap

 

Myles Straw hit a pair of home runs and drove in 5 runs in a 14-2 rout over the Rangers 

After another comeback win thanks to a 4-RBI and first career stolen base from Alejandro Kirk, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 25th series win and 15th season series win of the season. George Springer was activated off the concussion IL (he served as DH today) and Joey Loperfido was optioned to AAA-ball. Eric Lauer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Bo Bichette was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Davis Schneider was in LF and Myles Straw was in RF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games and notch their 25th series win and 15th season series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2nd as Ernie Clement doubled scoring Bo Bichette 
• A batter later, Myles Straw belted a 3- run jack to left-center; also scoring Daulton Varsho and Clement
• Five batters later,  Bichette doubled scoring Andres Gimenez and Davis Schneider. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Was thrown out at home to end the inning on the play
• The Rangers got one back in the top of the 3rd as Jake Burger singled scoring Sam Haggerty
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Straw whacked a 2-run blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen; also scoring Varsho
• Patrick Corbin pitching line: 2.1IP 8H 7R (all earned) 2BB 2K 62 pitches (37 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Varsho smacked a 2-run blast to right; also scoring Alejandro Kirk 
• Five batters later, Schneider was forced in on a basse loaded walk to Straw
• Eric Lauer pitching line: 5IP 4H 1R (earned) 3BB 4K 102 pitches (63 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th as Schneider drilled a 3-run bomb to left; also scoring Nathan Lukes and George Springer
• The Rangers got one back in the top of the 9th as Burger singled scoring Wyatt Langford
• Final score: Blue Jays 14 Rangers 2

My Take:

• Eric Lauer fired 5 innings, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. Lauer was battling in and out of jams all day, but limited the damage to one run. His continued solid play will likely mean the Blue Jays go to a 6-man rotation to finish the season. Lauer has earned a playoff start in my mind.
• The bullpen gave up a run on 3 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4 over the last 4 innings. Nobody retired every batter faced, but Tommy Nance pitched 2 innings and Tyler Heineman, the Blue Jays designated position player pitcher, pitched the 9th. \
• Offensively, Myles Straw (2 HR, 5 RBI), Davis Schneider (3-run HR, 4 RBI, 2 runs scored), Daulton Varsho (2-run HR) and Bo Bichette (2RBI, run scored) did the damage
• Every Blue Jays starter reached base at least once and all but Vlad and Alejandro Kirk had a hit
• It was the 282th career win for manager John Schneider, who moved into 4th all-time for winningest Blue Jays manager. Cito Gaston is 1st with 894 wins. 
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 4 games and complete their 10th series sweep of the season. Ace Jose Berrios starts against Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi

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