TORONTO – Batters sliding into first base to try and beat out close plays always triggers debate about whether running through the base is faster, with Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons believing the latter.
Ezequiel Carrera, hitting for Josh Donaldson in the fifth inning Thursday, slid into first base on his weak infield chopper, getting beaten to the bag by a hair. Some observers felt he would have been safe had he kept running, and beating the throw would have allowed a run to score and tied the game 2-2.
“You see a lot of guys do that (sliding), they’re just busting it pretty hard, they think they’re actually quicker but they’ve timed guys over and over, but you’re actually quicker if you stay on your feet,” Gibbons said Friday morning. “But a lot of guys do it, whether it’s instinct. You encourage them to stay on your feet but they don’t always do that.”
– Shi Davidi
COLABELLO STARTS: Chris Colabello got the start against Cole Hamels Friday, a nod to the first baseman’s production against left-handed pitching. While Justin Smoak got the start in Thursday’s opener, the Blue Jays made it clear right away that Colabello would also get his chances.
“He’s a big part of it. When we’re facing a lefty, he could be the guy,” manager John Gibbons said Thursday. “Since he’s got here all he’s done is hit, with some big clutch hits, too. We look to use him, put it that way.”
Colabello hit 15 home runs with an .886 OPS in 2015, his first season with the Blue Jays. He posted a .935 OPS against left-handed pitching, compared to an .868 mark against right-handers.
– Ben Nicholson-Smith
SMALL BALL: Scoring drops off in October, when many of MLB’s top defences and pitching staffs play in cold weather. The Blue Jays won’t rule out the occasional bit of small ball, but there’s a limit given the composition of their roster.
“There are certain guys in the lineup that don’t do that and I think it would be crazy to ask them to try now,” Gibbons said. “Certain guys have been doing certain roles all year. If that situation calls, those guys will do it. The other guys will just play their game. I think it would be crazy to try it the other way. Don’t expect to see (Jose) Bautista bunting.”
Swinging for the fences got the Blue Jays this far. There’s no reason to stop now.
– Ben Nicholson-Smith