Blue Jays 2008 Season

[teassoc]

Have they ever had such a strong pitching line-up - bullpen and starters?

They will have a chance to catch up with Boston and/or TB, as these teams will have to play each other very shortly.

Hope nobody starts writing about the Jays being 'under the radar' as that was the kiss of death for the Raptors in the winter.

 

[shack]

We must also keep in mind that there is still a long way to go in the season. Right now, the Jays are the hottest team in the majors but the reality is, it ain't gonna last. For them, IMO, they've gotta play well enough to at least stay close and then win some of the series against the leaders and then hope for another hot streak or two along the way.

I also believe that if a team is gonna fold it will be the young Rays who have never been in this situation before. Bosox will probably stay solid, barring injury so I'm thinking Jays for wild card is a reasonable expectation. Guys like Rolen and Eckstein have been there before.

 

[Esco!]

Was releasing Frank Thomas a mistake????

Yes he's on the 15 day disabled list now, but he's hitting over .300 since signing with the A's
(and hitting for power also).

 

[salsamarc]

Was releasing Frank Thomas a mistake????

the mistake was signing him for that much money and give him that ridiculous third year option if he gets 10,000 at bat

 

[pdson2]

We must also keep in mind that there is still a long way to go in the season. Right now, the Jays are the hottest team in the majors but the reality is, it ain't gonna last. For them, IMO, they've gotta play well enough to at least stay close and then win some of the series against the leaders and then hope for another hot streak or two along the way.

I also believe that if a team is gonna fold it will be the young Rays who have never been in this situation before. Bosox will probably stay solid, barring injury so I'm thinking Jays for wild card is a reasonable expectation. Guys like Rolen and Eckstein have been there before.

Who says it's not going to last, they have the best pitching in baseball, that can take you a long way, also their bats are just starting to come around. In my opinion it's the Jays other clubs better watch out for not the other way around.

 

[shack]

Who says it's not going to last,

Because every single year, every single team goes through some rough patches. Nobody plays at the top of the game for 162 games a year. They all have slumps.

 

[hunter001]

the mistake was signing him for that much money and give him that ridiculous third year option if he gets 10,000 at bat

10,000 at bats...

If it was 10K I don't think it would have ever been a problem.

 

[salsamarc]

ooooooppppssss typo

1,000 at bats.....thanks Hunter

 

[teassoc]

Ryan blows his save. First this season.

Jays had lots of chances to put the game away but just couldn't get the hits when they mattered. Same old story really.

Definately a game they should have won. Burnett must be very disappointed.

 

[shack]

That was a painful one to watch. Ugghhh.

 

[hunter001]

Hit a batter to walk in the tying run.

He almost got out of it.

 

[shack]

Hit a batter to walk in the tying run.

He almost got out of it.

I think he's been a bit lucky to have been perfect after 12. He's been letting a few too many guys get on base lately and today it caught up with him. He left no room for error and then he made one too many.

Oh well. I guess they can't all be Mariano Riveras.

 

[Rockslinger]

These are questions that torment men's souls.

1) Where is Alex Rios? Who is that imposter with the bat? Is he leading the league in stranding runners?
2) Why bring in a "closer" when the starting pitcher allowed only 3 hits?
3) Why can't Jay batters get hit by a pitch when bases loaded (like that Angels hitter)?

 

[shack]

These are questions that torment men's souls.

1) Where is Alex Rios? Who is that imposter with the bat?
2) Why bring in a "closer" when the starting pitcher allowed only 3 hits?
3) Why can't Jay batters get hit by a pitch when bases loaded (like that Angels hitter)?

1)There is no answer to that.
2)Based on history Ryan was less likely to give up a run. As well, he probably is more effective (and prefers) to come on to start the inning as opposed to coming on with runners on. I think most closers are like that.
3)That's more the pitcher's doing than the batter's.

 

[hunter001]

These are questions that torment men's souls.

1) Where is Alex Rios? Who is that imposter with the bat? Is he leading the league in stranding runners?

Rios was doing ok until they start moving him up and down in the line up. For a long time there was no one hitting behind him so no one had to give him anything to him. Hopefully if the others can keep on their hitting streaks Rios can come around.

 

[salsamarc]

3)That's more the pitcher's doing than the batter's.

I am sure Reed Johnson may disagree with you here

 

[shack]

I am sure Reed Johnson may disagree with you here

I'll admit, he does have special talent in that category. In most other cases, it's simply lack of control by the pitcher.

Reed can be the pinch hittee for me any time the bases are loaded.

 

[teassoc]

Easy to be wise after the event but I was wondering why they brought Stuart on for Inglett when all they needed was a sacrifice fly to add another run? Inglett seemed OK at that point having already had one base hit.

Just one more run from any of those chances would probably have made all the diffrence to the pressure Ryan must have felt protecting a one run lead.

When Ryan came on I understood that decision as he is the guy paid for that role.

 

[salsamarc]

I was wondering why they brought Stuart on for Inglett when all they needed was a sacrifice fly to add another run?

I was wondering the exact same thing myself

 

[hunter001]

I was wondering the exact same thing myself

Wasn't it a leftie/rightie thing? I didn't see the game.