"There’s something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear."
- Buffalo Springfield, 1967
Let me get this straight: the Blue Jays just swept a series on the road. When they last did this in Texas, Damaso Garcia was the starting second baseman. Also, they won all three without hitting a home run, and had some guy named B.J. Ryan close the finale.
Having Ryan return to the lineup is like finding a twenty in an old coat pocket. And though it might take five or ten appearances before the loyal following can trust that he is truly healed, it certainly must have been nice to see him trotting out of the bullpen Sunday.
You may also be enjoying the return of a different type of game. The Jays don’t appear to be relying on the three-run homer like they once did. Instead, they’re showing a penchant for collecting a run here and there by way of the little things.
On Sunday, the last two runs in a 5-4 extra-inning victory were accomplished in near identical form: two on, none out, and a sacrifice bunt was followed by a sacrifice fly. By the seventh inning, it’s quite likely John Gibbons just grew tired of watching his team hit into double-plays; they did it three times in the first six innings, and had men on second base each time.
Also, in recent years, opposing pitchers didn’t have to worry much about a Blue Jay taking off from first. Now, you never know.
Perhaps this team just got bored of waiting on the long-ball. Or perhaps the Blue Jays think their starting pitching can make three or four runs of support stand up after nine innings. Whatever the reason, the change is welcome – at least, on this space.
What do you think? Let us know below.
Well, let's take off the rose coloured glasses for a second.
Yeah, the Jays swept Texas. Reality check - they're Texas. Who cares if they hadn't swept them on the road in decades? That's a disgrace, because so are the Rangers.
Toronto was also fresh off another sweep, coming out on the losing end of a series with an Oakland team that is widely expected to take up the reigns of last place in the AL West.
Ryan also looked far from unhittable in his return, barely escaping the inning with the save.
That being said, it's a breath of fresh air to see the Jays offence going the other way, being patient and stealing bases. If they really think they can win the AL East, that's the way to do it.
Going bomb for bomb with the yanks and Sox has definitely not worked the past couple of seasons so it'll be solid to play some fundamental baseball. The odd long ball here and there will always be welcome, but lets not depend on it. Gibbons made some risky calls with personnel today but it paid off well.
Inglett also looks very interesting.. Crazy stance but he makes great contact!
I am not going to lie I thought this was going into the loss column, the jays lost all 3 1 run games in the previous series and it looked as though they were going to do it again.
But to my suprise they pulled it out and it shows a huge character win by battling the whole way through and that could definitely help with confidence in later 1 run games.
As for BJ, Byrd went down and out of the zone to get that triple on what is a pitchers pitch, than he got a ground out, pop out, and fly out. I think thats called pitching. I had no problem with that just wait till those 2-3 mph on his fastball come back.
Hiya Jamie
Are the Jays finally starting to clue in??? Playing the small ball = wins, waiting for the 3 run homer = losses. Maybe it was my imagination, but the the three losses to Oakland, I don't remember many stolen bases, bunts, hit and runs, etc. In the three wins against Boston, that's exactly what they did do. Then in last nights game, once they stopped hitting into double plays, then they started scoring again. Why is this like rocket science to JG? First and second with no one out, you bunt them over. Then you have a good chance of scoring at least one run. I understand that some of those guys 'aren't paid to bunt', however, each and every one of them are paid to win games, no matter what it takes. Would the sky fall in if Thomas bunted them over and let Overbay drive one or two of them in? I also understand that facing different pitchers requires different strategies, and also that some guys simply can't bunt well. However, there is no excuse for hitting into so many double plays. And yes Jamie, you were right last night when you said that playing the running game makes for a much more entertaining game....keep up the good work.
There is something in the air for sure Jamie. You have to like the broad range of ways this team can win games. It's sure to keep the opposition off balance and if Toronto can stay healthy and positive I think we're in for a big year.
As a Jays supporter for 20+ years, it's nice to feel like we're in the thick of it again.
Sound fundementals. That is what wins in any sport, pro or am. The Jays have shown signs of playing well when they use the basics...get on base, advance runners, good defence...the pitching should take care of itself as long as everyone remains healthy. It also doesn't hurt to have Thomas and Wells cranking a few dingers to keep the other guys on their toes!
I know that I am not the only one who has been frustrated with the Jays style of play since the John Paul Ricciardi era began 7 years ago. Although it seemed like the Jays had the talent to win more games than we did, it seemed that without the 3-run homer, we were a punchless group; we could not generate runs any other way. That's what made what transpired on the weekend (on Sunday, in particular) so refreshing. Great bunts by Hill and Zaunie won us that game...just great execution. Hope to see more of this as the season progresses.
Oh, and Jaimie, I'd like to get your feedback on something that I've been discussing with friends for a few months now. It seems to me, that the "Moneyball" philosophy to winning baseball games that the A's embraced for so long may as well had been called the "Steroidball" philosophy. That is, without steroids, Moneyball doesn't work; the 3-run HR is just not as common anymore with the crackdown on PED. Moneyball, in my opinion, is obsolete without them. That said, the 3 Aces: Zito, Hudson, and Mulder might have also had something to do with the A's success.
Since the first two games out of texas werent broadcast on the big screen I find it hard to comment on them. I have noticed that the jays have perfected hitting in to the old double play yet again. Eckstein seem particularly good at hitting the ball but missing the part about getting on base. It's early in the season so (I bet you hear that a lot from tiger fans lately) Oh just to repeat it's early in the season so I'll try and remain optimistic as they head in to Camden YaaHards. Where the leaders of the AL east now reside.
Maybe this small ball thing will flumix the orange birds and they can bring out the brooms again. Here's hoping.
im actually impressed with the jays. i still miss johnson in the leadoff spot--everytime i watch eckstein at bat, he seems quite..jumpy [for lack of a better word]. mcgowan, burnett and marcum are pitching much better than last year and no doubt, it's great to have BJ ryan back with the jays!
Can you imagine if, next game, the Jays actually clue in and bunt before they hit into three double plays. Really starting to miss Johnson, Stewart just isin't the explosive hitter he once was.
For the last bunch of years, the Jays had a heck of a time finishing off the sweep. This year, even though we took one, two sweeps in four series'..not bad Jays. I do like the small ball, reminds me of the Devon White, Alomar years..you know, the ones we won penants and championships...good times! The Jays have been in every game so far and I love it. Usually in April and May I watch the Jays durring intermissions of NHL play-offs, this year I find myself keeping it on sportsnet a little longer..There's a plug for ya.
Say I'm stating the obvious, but little of this matters.
Pitching is going to be the story of the year. The hopes and dreams of Jays fans around the country should rest on three guys:
Burnett
McGowan
Marcum
I would note that Docs numbers have been on a slide for the last two years.
I love small ball as much as a NL manager, but if the middle of the rotation doesn't hold up, none of it will matter.
"Since the first two games out of texas werent broadcast on the big screen I find it hard to comment on them." ~lostjuan
Actually, if you'd checked your listings, you'd have found the games were broadcast albeit on a strange promo channel (399 in my area).
Great to see the Jays playing whatever style of game will give them a chance to win. It's called flexibility and changing your game to best match up against the team you're playing against. It's so refreshing to see vs. waiting for the long ball/big inning.
Thank god the boys aren't relying on the long-ball this year. I love this new style so far, I think it's gonna work out. I'm a little worried about AJ frankly...I know it's early yet but he doesn't seem to be totally focused and on his game; frankly, I was expecting the loss that came last night when I saw that AJ was coming in as a relief pitcher. Doc should have a great year, and I think Marcum is going to be outstanding too. Bunting, stealing, and just overall hunger & aggression are KEY, and I think the Jays are gonna be right there in the end...let's hope so! I absolutely love BJ, and feel complete confidence when he enters the game, but you are right (for me at least) about it taking five or ten appearances before trusting that he is back in good form. No question it's going to be one heck of an exciting season in the AL East, and in general.
While I do see some reason for optimism this season,there is still one factor that can make or break this season.Using the '93 Jays as a benchmark,they entered every game knowing they were going to win,call it arrogance,confidence,whatever.They were not affraid to lose.All great teams have it.So far this season the Jays seem more affraid of losing than the confidence that they are going to win,probably explains why they have trouble with lesser teams,they are not supposed to lose,with the top teams they are not really expected to win,so a different mindset.The Yankees and the Red Socks both have this confidence,if the Jays aquire it then they can be rated as a legitimate contender for first place in the division,otherwise they are still a solid 3rd place team.My opinion anyway.
Does someone know why the Jays called up Robinson Diaz and not Curtis Thigpen? Does it mean that Diaz is now higher on the depth chart than Thigpen, who I thought did a serviceable job last year when called upon.
Thanks.
one question...where has the hustle gone?..answer..Chicago!