I go away for a week and come back and the Jays have something like a 1 ERA over the last week or so. Last night was a 1-0 victory over the White Sox for the first 4 game sweep in 5 years.
As Magpie pointed out yesterday the Jays have a poor one run record, which is in part due to luck. Last night they had a little luck on their side. Early in the game the White Sox had 2nd and 3rd with no outs and the Jays conceded a run on a ground ball, but the White Sox decided not to take it. In the 8th inning a line drive up the middle would have tied the game but Camp got a piece of it and the Jays turned it into an out. In the 9th BJ Ryan couldn't throw a slider for a strike (and kept insisting on trying) and got bailed out with an easy double play ball to end the game. Is it a good thing he can pitch back to back now?
It's good to see that Gibbons isn't married to Eckstein at the top of the lineup or in for defense the entire game. Last night was the perfect spot for McDonald and sure enough he entered the game. I don't know that Eckstein has to remain the 9th hitter, but until he's consistently at or above a .350 OBP he should stay at the bottom of the lineup.
Having said that, I'm not sure why Stewart deserves consistent playing time right now, or hitting 2nd. Looking at Overbay's .252/.361/.320 makes it seem to me that he'd be a good #2 hitter.
The Rays are in town tonight. Good time to keep the streak going and make up some ground in the standings.
As Magpie pointed out yesterday the Jays have a poor one run record, which is in part due to luck. Last night they had a little luck on their side. Early in the game the White Sox had 2nd and 3rd with no outs and the Jays conceded a run on a ground ball, but the White Sox decided not to take it. In the 8th inning a line drive up the middle would have tied the game but Camp got a piece of it and the Jays turned it into an out. In the 9th BJ Ryan couldn't throw a slider for a strike (and kept insisting on trying) and got bailed out with an easy double play ball to end the game. Is it a good thing he can pitch back to back now?
It's good to see that Gibbons isn't married to Eckstein at the top of the lineup or in for defense the entire game. Last night was the perfect spot for McDonald and sure enough he entered the game. I don't know that Eckstein has to remain the 9th hitter, but until he's consistently at or above a .350 OBP he should stay at the bottom of the lineup.
Having said that, I'm not sure why Stewart deserves consistent playing time right now, or hitting 2nd. Looking at Overbay's .252/.361/.320 makes it seem to me that he'd be a good #2 hitter.
The Rays are in town tonight. Good time to keep the streak going and make up some ground in the standings.
