They've tantalized us before, these Blue Jays have. Mired in the depths of a very disappointing season, from time to time they've stood up to reel off several wins in a row, making their fans think that the slump is over and the real Fighting Jays are about to emerge. Alas, opposition sweeps and losing streaks have invariably followed instead, until it became clear to even the most ardent fans that this isn't just a bad stretch or series of stretches, it's a bad season from what has been, on balance, a pretty bad team. So is there any reason to think that the current winning streak will be any different?
I think there is, and I think the Jays are going to sustain this higher level of play throughout the balance of the season. With the brutal schedule ahead of them the rest of the way, this anticipated improvement may not necessarily result in many wins. But if we look carefully, I'm hoping we can see signs of real progress: hustle, smart baserunning, sharp defence, gutsy pitching. Virtually everyone on this squad is playing for their paycheque next season, and quite a few are playing for their careers.
That list of under-the-gun Blue Jays includes manager John Gibbons, who so far seems to have produced a more relaxed atmosphere and who has resuscitated the seasons of youngsters Orlando Hudson and Chris Woodward. Now, sure, it's fun to play loose and easy when the season is toast. But what the team brass is likely looking for now is real professionalism and competitiveness, players who aren't just punching the clock through September, players who still hate to lose and want badly to win. And the team brass is almost certainly looking for signs of real progress from key players, many of whom will probably not be here in 2005 if they don't show that progress right now.
The sweep of the Orioles was particularly gratifying because there suddenly seemed to be a confidence about the team, an expectation of victory, that hasn't been evident all season. That expectation of victory has to become ingrained in the clubhouse right through the end of September, and it has to start with what's left of this otherwise lost season. 2004 is a sunk cost, but there still remains the opportunity to finish strong and to lay the groundwork for a better year in 2005. And there are a lot of questions yet to be answered.
Will Woodward and Hudson open 2005 as the double-play combo? Are Vinny Chulk and Jason Frasor a fully reliable pair of ace relievers? Is Eric Hinske in fact among the league's top five at the hot corner, or is he just a replacement-level third baseman? Is Kevin Frederick a useful long reliever? Can Gabe Gross give the team 400 good at-bats against right-handers next season? Is Justin Miller a fourth starter or potential ace reliever? Can John Gibbons guide this team into contention next season, as originally scheduled? I expect that to a number of these questions, the answer will be "no." But now is the time to find out, and we should be able to look forward to a more intense and exciting style of play from the Blue Jays during what are essentially this team's final exams.
The first exam, tonight against the Red Sox, is a monster. Pedro Martinez takes the hill for the visitors, and so the Blue Jays will find out right away whether or not their offensive explosion in Camden Yards was for real. Ted Lilly pitches for Toronto, and he gives the Jays a fighting chance at a win. This one may come down to how well the Jays' bullpen can protect a late-inning lead. If it does, then for my money, I think we'll see Justin Speier out there to close the door. Tune in and find out.
I think there is, and I think the Jays are going to sustain this higher level of play throughout the balance of the season. With the brutal schedule ahead of them the rest of the way, this anticipated improvement may not necessarily result in many wins. But if we look carefully, I'm hoping we can see signs of real progress: hustle, smart baserunning, sharp defence, gutsy pitching. Virtually everyone on this squad is playing for their paycheque next season, and quite a few are playing for their careers.
That list of under-the-gun Blue Jays includes manager John Gibbons, who so far seems to have produced a more relaxed atmosphere and who has resuscitated the seasons of youngsters Orlando Hudson and Chris Woodward. Now, sure, it's fun to play loose and easy when the season is toast. But what the team brass is likely looking for now is real professionalism and competitiveness, players who aren't just punching the clock through September, players who still hate to lose and want badly to win. And the team brass is almost certainly looking for signs of real progress from key players, many of whom will probably not be here in 2005 if they don't show that progress right now.
The sweep of the Orioles was particularly gratifying because there suddenly seemed to be a confidence about the team, an expectation of victory, that hasn't been evident all season. That expectation of victory has to become ingrained in the clubhouse right through the end of September, and it has to start with what's left of this otherwise lost season. 2004 is a sunk cost, but there still remains the opportunity to finish strong and to lay the groundwork for a better year in 2005. And there are a lot of questions yet to be answered.
Will Woodward and Hudson open 2005 as the double-play combo? Are Vinny Chulk and Jason Frasor a fully reliable pair of ace relievers? Is Eric Hinske in fact among the league's top five at the hot corner, or is he just a replacement-level third baseman? Is Kevin Frederick a useful long reliever? Can Gabe Gross give the team 400 good at-bats against right-handers next season? Is Justin Miller a fourth starter or potential ace reliever? Can John Gibbons guide this team into contention next season, as originally scheduled? I expect that to a number of these questions, the answer will be "no." But now is the time to find out, and we should be able to look forward to a more intense and exciting style of play from the Blue Jays during what are essentially this team's final exams.
The first exam, tonight against the Red Sox, is a monster. Pedro Martinez takes the hill for the visitors, and so the Blue Jays will find out right away whether or not their offensive explosion in Camden Yards was for real. Ted Lilly pitches for Toronto, and he gives the Jays a fighting chance at a win. This one may come down to how well the Jays' bullpen can protect a late-inning lead. If it does, then for my money, I think we'll see Justin Speier out there to close the door. Tune in and find out.
