MLB
The Blue Jays are 3-7 in their last 10 games, and are now below .500 on the season. However, they are the only team in the MLB still undefeated when they score 5 or more runs. These two facts tell me one thing: the bats have gone cold. They’re not scoring enough runs to get above 5 to get themselves the win. Obviously, offense is not the only issue because there are two parts to a game. But it is definitely a factor.
Kendrys Morales
The Blue Jays are 3-7 in their last 10 games, and Kendrys Morales is currently batting .146 on the season. This is rough for anyone. For the man who’s only contribution to the team is his bat, this is really rough. Honestly, I’m not surprised the Jays are holding onto him. I should be, but I’m not. Having a straight DH is falling out of style. Only 6 teams in the AL have one, and all of them aside from Morales are hitting above .200. The Jays are clinging to tradition, but only in name.
Morales is slumping, which is leading John Gibbons to look elsewhere for a DH. He has plenty of options. Donaldson can’t play every game at third. Granderson can do it, as can Pearce when he’s healthy. If Pompey is on the roster, Pillar can be used as the DH. He likes to play in the outfield and will fight against being the DH, but can be. Frankly, anyone with a hot bat can do the job. I don’t think it’s necessary or helpful to keep a straight DH on the roster. As a fan, I would like the Jays to get back above .500. Bring up a player who can help them do that, who also contributes defensively. Guerrero can hit the ball, he’s proving that, but the Jays are hesitant about his fielding. We’ll see how his narrative plays out.
Pitching
The Blue Jays are 3-7 in their last 10 games and we can’t put all the blame on Morales, or even on the offense. The Jays are last in the American League in innings pitched by their starters. J.A. Happ pitched 7 innings on Wednesday, and Marco Estrada got into the seventh last night. Those are considered long outings this season for Jays starters.
I struggle with the John Axford dilemma. The dilemma is that I’m from Simcoe and he’s from Dover, which makes him the “hometown” boy in my neck of the woods. I REALLY want to like him. But I can’t. He’s unpredictable and he makes me nervous. Today’s game was exactly what I always fear when he comes in. I don’t ever know what to expect from him.
Tomorrow, Joe Biagini takes the mound against Oakland, hoping to help his team avoid a sweep. I am fearful, but hopeful at the same time. I like to think the boys in blue will turn things around. I’m also a realist, though, and know what Biagini is like on the mound as a starter. Tomorrow is another day and all I can say is that I hope the team can avoid the sweep and come out with one win.
Written by Susannah Schmidt
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