The Stro Show is anything but low key
ST. LOUIS If you are an opponent or a broadcaster or a serial hater of Marcus Stroman on social media, you best get used to it.
The Stro Show isn’t going anywhere any time soon, nor does the Blue Jays pitcher have any intention of apologizing for his highenergy act.
What you see is what you get with Stroman and it’s clear that the more pumped up he gets, the better he performs. His large, hardcore fan base loves it and for the most part, so do his teammates.
If it weren’t for the dramatic superman routine from teammate Chris Coghlan on Tuesday, Stroman would have been the star of the show in the Jays’ memorable 6-5, 11-inning win over the Cardinals. Both plays were still buzzing around the team on Wednesday’s unscheduled rainout day.
Part bravado, part sublime athletic skill, Stroman stepped into the batter’s box as a pinch-hitter and roped a line drive into left field. When Steve Pearce and a throwing error helped bring him home with what eventually became the winning run, it was the most exciting moment of Stroman’s nonthrowing pro career.
And as is his way, Stroman used the forum to make another point — that despite criticism of some of his on-field histrionics, there will be no apologies.
“It was like a little party in there,” Stroman said when asked about the greeting he received when he returned to the Jays dugout.
And then he issued a measured addition to his comment: “A lot of emotions going on, you know what I mean? A lot of people say I shouldn’t show those emotions, but I’m going to continue to do it no matter what anybody says ... always.”
The emphasis on the final word — always — seemed to be directed at Sportsnet studio analyst Gregg Zaun, who took a run at Stroman on Sunday after the pitcher celebrated his win over the Angels.
Jays manager John Gibbons had a little fun as well. When asked what he was thinking when Stroman crossed the plate, Gibbons deadpanned: “His boy Zauny.”
Meanwhile, any way you want to dissect it, Stroman’s role in Tuesday ’s big win was spectacular. The hit, under such a pressure situation, showed his raw athletic skills.
It wasn’t a fluke, either. Afterwards, Stroman said he felt comfortable at the plate because of time he spends in the batting cage with Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Kevin Pillar and other Jays.
RAIN DAY
Forecasts for relentless rain in the St. Louis area prompted officials to call off Wednesday’s second game of the three-game series more than seven hours before first pitch.
The postponement set up a daynight doubleheader for Thursday between the interleague opponents. Game one is scheduled for 1:45 p.m. ET with first pitch in the nightcap at 7:15 p.m.
The Jays will stick with their scheduled starting pitchers with right-hander Mat Latos in the opener followed by fellow righty Casey Lawrence in the second half.
While the Jays have looked better of late, winning three of five on this road trip so far, they have yet to win back-to-back games this season, the only major league team in that boat.
QUOTABLE
The crazy conclusion of Tuesday’s game led to a number of notable post-game quotes. Tops in our books was pitcher Marco Estrada, who said of the headfirst Coghlan dive: “It was like I had seen a unicorn or something. You might not ever see that again. I’m glad I saw it. I’m going to remember that forever.”