JAYS FLY HOME UNDER THE RADAR . . .
The good news is our boys are back for their home opener. The bad news? They have the worst record in the AL,
There’s good news and bad news for the Blue Jays as they prepare for Tuesday night’s home opener against the Brewers.
The bad news is that they have the worst record in the American League. The good news is that the casual baseball fans they count on to keep the place filled in the second half are not paying attention yet.
It’s almost like the Blue Jays’ charter flight home from Tampa on Sunday night was one of those undetectable stealth bombers. Sure the Jays posted a discouraging 1-5 record on the opening road trip to Baltimore and Tampa Bay, but in terms of the usual gnashing of teeth and doom and gloom from the extended fan base, their start is flying under the radar. In fact, like the stealth, it’s not even on it.
The Jays are playing horrible ball? Not a problem, because the Maple Leafs are preparing for the Capitals and excited fans are studying up for their drafts. The Raptors have Kyle Lowry back, have won 50 games for a second straight season, and are poised to go deep into the postseason with their defensive toughness.
“I don’t know, I think we’re still on the map,” manager John Gibbons said with a laugh when posed the hypothesis. “People are excited about us. (The start) hasn’t gone unnoticed. Maybe it’s a little buffer, though. Let’s hope.”
Blue Jays president emeritus Paul Beeston is fond of saying “A rising tide lifts all boats,” regarding T.O.’s local professional sports. His belief is that when the majority of fans feel good about one team, that goodwill transfers to the other franchises in town. He felt that the Jays doing well is good for the Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC and the Argos — with the same bounce whenever any of the other teams succeeds.
That theory of boundless bonhomie will be tested this spring, if the Jays don’t begin to turn it around on this ninegame homestand and if the Leafs and/or Raptors go deep into the playoffs.
Will Rogers ownership be patient with their summer entertainment if TV ratings in April and May start to tank? Hey, it’s early.
Supporting the theory that Blue Jays management is trying to fly under the radar is that for the first time in my 45 years in and around MLB, the team I have worked for or covered has decided not to stage a media availability surrounding batting practice. The Jays did not invite local media the day before the opener.
Maybe they knew all the questions would be negative, and since the game was already sold out and TV ratings take care of themselves on opening day, they decided to sneak back into town under cover of hoops and pucks success.
There was some hard news at the ballpark on Monday. Third baseman Josh Donaldson, injured running out a grounder on Sunday, will test his injured right calf on Tuesday before a decision is made on whether he will play.
The Jays also claimed 28-year-old utilityman Ty Kelly on waivers from the Mets and placed him on the 40-man roster. Kelly was a 13thround pick by the Orioles in June 2009. The Jays then transferred Rule 5 pitcher Glenn Sparkman to the 60-day disabled list. Gibbons also confirmed closer Roberto Osuna — who started the season on the DL with a neck injury — will be activated for the opener, likely meaning a trip back to Triple-A Buffalo for right-hander Casey Lawrence.
This slow start has not been unusual for the Jays under Gibbons. In the last six seasons when he’s managed the Jays through spring train- ing, they have proceeded to play at least two games below .500 into May, with a worst of 10-21 in 2013.
The suggestion has been made that Gibbons does not insist that his key hitters get enough spring at-bats and reps to be ready for nine-inning, five plate-appearance games in April. This was a World Baseball Classic year, with Jose Bautista gone for a couple of weeks to Team Dominican. Devon Travis, Donaldson and Steve Pearce were injured for significant spring stretches.
Despite that, the Jays played 33 Grapefruit League games and the total number of at-bats for healthy regulars was led by Kevin Pillar (58), followed by Justin Smoak (53), Kendrys Morales (48), Troy Tulowitzki (38), Russ Martin (35) and Bautista (29).
“I’m accountable for everything that happens here,” Gibbons said. “There have been people suggesting that maybe (the regulars) don’t play enough in spring training. I don’t discount that.
“With this particular group, the plan going in was for resting guys, make sure they’re ready to get themselves geared up for six months. There’s still some guys that are slow starters anyway, generally. There’s no doubt in my mind these guys are going to hit.”
The Jays are 26-14 in home openers, but have lost five in a row with the last win coming in 2011 vs. the Twins. The Jays are 16-11 in openers at the SkyDome/Rogers Centre and 3-6 under Gibbons.
“The crowds we get (at home) are really into it, so it’s a little different than a lot of places,” Gibbons ob- served. “I think that will do wonders. We anticipate that if (our starting pitchers) all hold up health-wise, on any given night they’ll give us a chance. It won’t happen every night, but we have that type of confidence.”
Meanwhile, the Jays are hoping people haven’t noticed their horrific start.