The wait is over… well, not exactly. But we are closer to having a roster of Major Leaguers playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. By week’s end, the likes of Troy Tulowitzki, Josh Donaldson, and, potentially, Russell Martin, could be back in the lineup, which should be music to the ears of Blue Jays fans. And I mean like a magical sound of music. Think Gord Downie surprising you at your wedding type shit.
It is crazy to me that, with the parade of players heading to the DL this season, the Blue Jays have kept on the same pace as the past two seasons. As they approach the 40th game of the season, Tuesday night vs Atlanta, the Blue Jays have somehow won 17 games. If they win tonight they sit at the exact same record as the 2015 team. Well, hello, that team won 93 games! BUT! If this team wants to come anywhere close to 90 wins, certain things need to happen:
1. The three players I have already mentioned need to come back and stay healthy. This team has zero fucking chance without all three of those guys in the lineup and producing. J.D has averaged 157 games played over the past 4 seasons, and history suggests he will play through anything else that comes his way.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Tulo. He has only averaged 119 games the past 4 seasons. This Blue Jays’ lineup needs a consistent and healthy season from Tulo, or they stand no chance.
Russell Martin on the other hand has averaged 126 games played over the past 4 seasons, which is just a little bit below average for a starting catching. 140 is an ideal number for you’re starting catcher, but the catch here is this: all the other guys filling in for Russ so far have been terrible at the plate. How bad? How does 3 for 63 sound. A whopping .048. I feel like Gregg Zaun could step in and hit better than that… in his suit.
2. See number 1. With those three guys coming back it means less of Chris Coghlan, Luke Maile, and Darwin Barney. Sure, I may take two of those guys at the end of my bench, but I don’t think you can win 90 games with them taking regular at bats. Coghlan especially. It appears he has an easier time jumping over people than he does trying to lay down a sac bunt.
3. Devon Travis needs to be good. The Jays hosed the Tigers in that trade, but they need Travis to be a productive piece to this puzzle. His three hits Monday night against the Braves were a great sign, and its parlayed on the fact he has had a great homestand, batting .391 over that span. He needs to bring some production to the bottom third of the lineup, which is where he will be slotted in once everybody is healthy.
4. The Starters need to get back to form. That 2016 form of quality starts and no major injury concerns. What’s happened to Sanchez so far has been bad luck, and it appears the worst of the nail issue is behind him. He has the potential to be the best pitcher in the league. The Blue Jays need that type of season from him to be able to host games late in October. With Biagini’s early success as a starter, added to the strengths of Estrada and Stroman, when healthy, this rotation has potential to be just as good as last year’s. When Happ comes back, look for Liriano to be moved to the bullpen, which will only help what has been a pretty solid bullpen of late.
As the Blue Jays approach the end of the first quarter of the season, it appears to be the same old story of a sluggish start, only this time for a whole bunch of different reasons. Let’s hope that after this week, the DL will be less expensive than the 25-man roster and they can continue to find ways to win ball games.
I think we all can agree, the summer is always more fun when you can mix in a few $20 tall cans, dome open, under the sun, with a team that is playing meaningful baseball. If you don’t agree, well, enjoy your Sunday at the Garden Gallery.
