The Toronto Blue Jays continue to be a team that looks much better on paper than on the field.
If one play painted the perfect picture of the Blue Jays imperfect first half, it took place in the top of the ninth inning during their 7-1 loss on Sunday to the Anaheim Angels. After leading off the inning with a scorched double to the gap in left-centre, Alex Rios was doubled off second as Vernon Wells flew out to left and any chance of a ninth-inning comeback dissipated.
Now, let's be realistic here. It's not like the Blue Jays were going to come back and snatch this game out of the jaws of defeat. That hasn't happened all season and isn't likely to happen anytime soon -- especially since they continue to hit around .240 in games close and late. It's getting to the point where one has to question that heart and drive of this team and whether than have the intestinal fortitude to do what is needed to make comebacks.
Another question is: Why was Rios breaking that far off the bag with a six-run deficit and only three outs to give? At that point in any game, the Jays need as many baserunners as possible. Last time I checked, it's pretty hard to hit more than a solo home run when no one is on base. Let the ball fall in and even if you only make it to third, at least you've kept the line moving. These are things that happen when nothing is going right and everyone is pressing.
This is why I continue to be baffled by Jays' G.M. J.P. Ricciardi's continuing belief that this team has what it takes to contend for the post-season. We keep getting the same message on the post-game show that, statistically, this team has to start to hit because the numbers say so. Well, what if they don't come around at any time and this season turns out to be a lost year where the front office sat on their hands and hoped that they find their collective strokes? That's quite a gamble, especially when Ricciardi stood pat this offseason and didn't try and add to an offence that underachieved, albeit due to injuries, in 2007.
Perhaps it's time to look at the make-up or chemistry of this team to try and find answers. Not that I've seen anything that would lead me to believe that the clubhouse is starting to fracture in any way due to what is turning out to be the worst season in recent years. And with the trading deadline just over three weeks, maybe the time has come to bring in some new blood. Nothing else has worked this season, so why not?
Something's Brewing
A deal is done for the Indians to deal their ace left-hander and reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers for a parcel of players that will include Matt Laporta, the seventh player chosen on the 2007 draft. This will turn the Brewers, who entered Sunday's action just 3.5 game behind the Cubs in the N.L. Central, into an instant contender. Combined with Ben Sheets, Milwaukee now has a 1-2 starting punch that's as good as any in the game. And with great young hitters like Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and Corey Hart, the sky looks to be the limit, now and in the near future.
This & That
Roy Halladay will represent the Blue Jays for the fifth time at this All-Star Game, July 15th at Yankee Stadium. Among Jays' pitchers, only Dave Stieb (seven times) has been selected more...
Even if you're not a fan of All-Star games, you might want to tune in to watch the Home Run Derby to catch the show Josh Hamilton is likely to put on. Based on what I saw of the young gun when the Jays visited Texas earlier this season, I'm putting my money on Hamilton as his legend continues to grow...
Does anyone else find it kind of funny that the Oakland Athletics, who have tried to get by on a shoestring budget all these years while turning General Manager Billy Beane into a legend, forked over $4.25 million to sign a 16-year-old pitcher by the name of Michael Inoa. I wonder if Frank Thomas, who walked away from Toronto with a big bag o' cash, chipped in?
If the rumours are true, then are there two human beings that deserve each other more than Alex Rodriguez and Madonna? This just adds another level of selfishness to the checkered pasts of both these "performers"...
The Tampa Bay Rays are trying to join only the 1991 Braves, '99 Diamondbacks and the '03 & '07 Cubs to make the playoffs one season after losing at least 95 games. For those of you who think that the Rays were going to go away, start believing. This team has as much talent as any in the game and the only question is their inexperience. But based on how they've handled the Red Sox this season - they've swept them twice - you might want to skew your view...
If David Ortiz can't return from his injury anytime soon, how long will it be before the Red Sox and Barry Bonds start getting mentioned in the same sentence?
And don't look now but Joe Torre's magic has travelled to the Left Coast quite well and the Dodgers are hours from overcoming the Diamondbacks and taking over top spot in the N.L. West…
