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Game Threads Game Thread - 4/4 vs. Indians

Converse!

Buehrle vs Myers

  Of note:

  The Jays do not have a hit with a runner in scoring position...but

  The Jays have had few runners in scoring position



The Jays have not yet played a sound defensive game. Passed balls and an error have cost them runs.

  Two Jays are hitless, Lind and Rasmus. Will one or both get off the mark tonight?

  Who is the closer tonight?

Posted by Dave Rutt on Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 06:00 PM EDT.
Game Thread - 4/4 vs. Indians | 21 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
binnister - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 06:13 PM EDT (#269817) #

Prediction:  The Jays will not need a closer tonight.

 

(Take that as you may...)

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Richard S.S. - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 06:59 PM EDT (#269819) #
I sincerely hope not as Buehrle wins the first game of the year.
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Gerry - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 07:36 PM EDT (#269820) #
First lead of the year. First hit with runners in scoring position.
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grjas - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 07:39 PM EDT (#269821) #
Am certainly impressed with Cleveland's defense. They have stolen a number of hits from the Jays as well as turnng doubles into singles. Outfield in particular is impressive
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Mike Green - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 08:43 PM EDT (#269822) #
Both managers went a little too long with the starters today.  In one case, the lure of the "win" was too much. 
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katman - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 10:13 PM EDT (#269823) #
I liked tonight. OK, the pitching could have been better, but it had all the other elements that had been missing. Power on display to keep us up there, then speed to get us the last 2 runs that won it. Great defense more than once, and no significant mental mistakes. Basically, impressive in every facet of the game but pitching - and even there, I liked what Delabar and especially Janssen did.

I'm still concerned about the mental makeup, but this was a good one. Bring on them Sox!

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Richard S.S. - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 10:19 PM EDT (#269824) #

Thank God that game is over and the Team finally wins.  Incidentally, for whomever keeping a MiLB watch, Buffalo wins 12-7; New Hampshire wins 9-0 and Dunedin wins 4-2. 

Is this the Buehrle we get or does he get better?   Loup's and Oliver's oops were hard on the system.   I guess I have to get into Game watching shape again. 

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Gerry - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 10:30 PM EDT (#269825) #
A win is a win but that one didn't inspire confidence. Rasmus did get a hit, Lind will get to sit two of the next three games.

We are still waiting for an error free game.
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Alex Obal - Thursday, April 04 2013 @ 11:49 PM EDT (#269828) #
Totally called Rasmus' homer off Allen. We just need to match him up against overthrowers with straight mid-90s fastballs, and he'll be out of his funk in no time.

Gold star to Bonifacio for creating a run with his speed and throwing out Santana in the eighth to save the game. Impressive.
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92-93 - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 01:56 AM EDT (#269830) #
Oliver was quite relieved Bonifacio made that play; he knew he could've been on the hook for an ugly inning.

I really like the at bats Bautista & Encarnacion have had so far this year, and hope nothing is wrong with Bautista. He's obviously the straw that stirs this drink.

I would have liked to see Gibby pull Buehrle for Delabar at 6-4 with 2 men on, but I can see the reasoning for giving the staff vet a shot at going deep and taking care of his own mess in the very first start of the year. We'll likely see a quicker hook next time.
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TamRa - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 02:21 AM EDT (#269831) #
impressive start to the season for Emilio


Be kinda cool if the stadium crowd, when he was introduced or did something impressive gave out an EEEEE - MEEEEE - LEEEEOOOOOOO!
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Richard S.S. - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 11:30 AM EDT (#269839) #

When A.A. said he was still looking for a Starter, a Starting 2B and backend of the Bullpen help, I scratched my head and thought - why?   So I'm thinking about the last three games.

1) Starter:  If Romero doesn't get all the way back, or if this year's Buehrle is really done, I can see the need.   It's hard to tell if A.A.'s willing to spend the money to re-sign Josh Johnson or he's more after the extra draft pick (qualifying offer).   Needing Drabek or Hutchison this year would be a desparate move.  Still too early to tell who's ready next from the minors.

2) Starting 2B: Watching Bonifacio playing is amazing and lots of fun.   I'd much rather see him tried there full-time first.   Of course if A.A. lands Cano or someone near as good, all bets are off.

3) Backend of Bullpen help: In the first three games, Toronto's Bullpen has pitched 11.2 Innings and Jeffress hasn't been used.   Cecil is pitching with more pop than before and is effective.   If I've got a choice, I know who goes.   I just don't know who A.A. might be after.

It's early yet, so I'll wait to see what happens.   I'ts possible this year's draft will be signifcant, especially by how much A.A. exceeds it. 

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Lylemcr - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 11:33 AM EDT (#269840) #

1. I love how fast Beurle works (same goes for Dickey).  That is one thing I miss about Doc.

2. I love the energy that Reyes brings to the game. That run from second to home on a ground out....  LOVE IT!  When Lawrie comes back, I am not sure how they will be able to contain.

3. The Lazer EE hit last night.  I was listening to it on the radio and the ball was out before they even finished saying he had a hit. 

Overall, I just enjoy watching this team. 

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85bluejay - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 11:43 AM EDT (#269841) #
IN my limited viewing, Bonifacio has impressed & Reyes range is worrying - Hope he proves me wrong but not surprised with Buehrle's result & he has 2yrs & 37mil after this year, which is why that contract was widely panned when the Marlins signed him.

Lind needs to be further down  in the lineup or the OBP of Bautista/EE may be wasted - When Rasmus had his big stretch last year, he hit in the #2 spot & took advantage of all those fastballs hitting ahead of Bautista (something that Bautista noted last year) , of course, Bautista's injury put the kibosh on that but I would like to see Rasmus moved to the #2 spot & Cabrera moved to the #5 spot.   
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whiterasta80 - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 12:44 PM EDT (#269842) #
85bluejay, that's an interesting thought. I love our 1-4 right now but there is a pretty serious dropoff after that! Putting a good contact guy in behind EE could really insulate us and Melky is a pretty good choice. I'm not sure I love Rasmus in the 2 spot right now, but as you said that's where he's had his most success.

Ideally Lawrie comes back and he can be the guy who slots in behind EE, but until then I'd be on board with that swap.
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snider - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 01:21 PM EDT (#269843) #
One thing that stands out to me after three games is the potential impact of Lawrie on the defence. He huge range will help cover up for Reyes' seemingly lack of range and is obviously a big upgrade over the alternatives at 3B.

On a related note, the throws to first from ss and 3b have looked very poor at times. EE bailed out a few of them in the first two games.
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Richard S.S. - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 03:25 PM EDT (#269845) #
We have a 7-Game Homestand from April 15 to 21.  Lawrie could be back with the Club by then.   He needs live at bats to regain his stroke before he can return.   It's just hoped he can start this weekend.   Reyes, on the other hand, needs to know the range he must cover.   Reyes also has to learn about skipping the ball off the turf on throws to First.   Tony Fernandez was great at doing just that when needed.  E.E., while looking good at First, is not a natural First Baseman and may not always do the right thing.   Sometimes you must give up on the out to save the throw.   They will get better.
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92-93 - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 04:28 PM EDT (#269847) #
Management isn't putting the team in the best position to win forcing them to play games with a 2 man bench and 3 unavailable RP.
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ComebyDeanChance - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 05:25 PM EDT (#269848) #
Management isn't putting the team in the best position to win forcing them to play games with a 2 man bench and 3 unavailable RP.

If the game goes into extra innings tonight, the Blue Jays have a 5 man pen - Cecil, Rogers, Jeffress, Loup and Santos. Difficult to see any of those going more than an inning. It's hard to see how 'management' would be putting the team in a better position to win with a four man pen in favour of adding a likely inconsequential reserve player to the bench. Should the game go into extra innings, Henry Blanco could be pitching the 11th.

As was noted earlier, the FO thinks it's more likely that the 25th man, whether that's Cecil or Jeffress, sneaks through waivers more easily after Lawrie comes back, than it is on Opening Day. That may or may not occur but I'll trust their judgement on that one over my own or anyone's here, as well as on the value of Cecil or Jeffress who would otherwise simply be thrown away. I also haven't seen the name yet of this position player that the FO allegedly should have added who would make it worth likely throwing away Cecil or Jeffress and working with a 7 man pen when starters have not yet gone over 6 innings and they play 6 straight games.
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sam - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 05:48 PM EDT (#269849) #
Anyone else been following the Farrell-related pre-game activities?  Essentially, Farrell called out Mike Wilner for stoking fans to boo.  To which Wilner felt aggrieved and denied doing such a thing.  Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe is basically mocking the Toronto beat reporters for trying to interview Farrell en masse.  It's quite funny to say the least.
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grjas - Friday, April 05 2013 @ 07:58 PM EDT (#269852) #
"One thing that stands out to me after three games is the potential impact of Lawrie on the defence. He huge range will help cover up for Reyes' seemingly lack of range and is obviously a big upgrade over the alternatives at 3B."

Yeah one of the worries I posted before the season started was the impact on infield defence if Lawrie was gone for a while. Unfortunately in the first few games - yeah i know it's early- SS and 3rd base have looked worse than I even expected. Reyes range is certain ly troubling...

Will also be interesting to see how Lind and the Jays respond to his 0 for 11. I thought his swing looked pretty good and he mashed a few right at people. With better luck he might be 3 for 11. So will he stick to the plan or start flailing? And surely the Jays won't put him in front of an LHP for a while, hopefully a long while.

PS- do they really have to play him at first base? Isn't there another option. He has enough of a challenge turning it around when his back is working.
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Game Thread - 4/4 vs. Indians | 21 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.