While 2023 has included plenty of pendulum swings for the Texas Rangers, there has been one constant around this team: these guys can hit.

There are a number of reasons that the Blue Jays dropped Game 2. Above all, the decision to lift José Berríos for Yusei Kikuchi will be remembered as the cause of the Blue Jays’ downfall. Nick Ashbourne dives into the numbers behind the controversial move.

There are plenty of positive things you could say about the Blue Jays that would be 100 per cent true, but as chaotic as the MLB playoffs can be there’s evidence to suggest this Toronto club doesn’t have a great composition for post-season baseball. 

It would’ve been reasonable for the Blue Jays to tell Jordan Hicks to simply keep doing what he was doing when he arrived in Toronto in late July. That doesn’t seem to be the case, though, as it’s clear Hicks has changed his approach in his 15 games with the Blue Jays.

Although it’s fair to quibble with the lack of an offensive addition, it’s interesting to see the Blue Jays pour additional resources into their bullpen when it’s been an extremely effective unit in 2023.

Since June 1, Bo Bichette has hit .296/.309/.457. That stat line is far from disastrous but it’s slowed his momentum. Nick Ashbourne looks at what is causing the offensive decline.