STRIKE ZONE Under the radar and over the top, the Blue Jays offence comes to life this year ... Success of the bullpen is a pleasant surprise ... Bautista could be back in T.O. in June
This week’s series between the Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox represents two clubs who have scored the most runs in the AL (heading into Monday’s games).
And while it’s no surprise that the Red Sox are leading the AL in runs scored (124), the fact that Jays are second (116) is certainly something of a shock.
Last year, the Jays finished dead-last in runs scored in the AL. And they’re scoring runs this season despite Troy
Tulowitzki out of the line (bone spurs), Josh
Donaldson out since April 11 with right shoulder inflammation and Russell Martin (.130) and Devon
Travis (.140) not hitting. The Jays are scoring largely because of solid performances from some key, though under-the-radar offseason acquisitions — most notably Curtis Granderson
(.294, two homers, two doubles, 10 walks), Yangervis Solarte (five home runs, three doubles, 14 walks), as well as solid performances from Steve Pearce (.304, three home runs) and Kevin Pillar
(.304, six doubles).
“It’s been awesome,” said starter Marco Estrada .“I know a lot of people weren’t expecting it, and they’re proving everybody wrong right now. We got to keep doing it. It’s a tough division, it’s not going to be easy but we have a team that can definitely compete against everybody.”
The Jays ran into a brick wall in New York last week, scoring on 13 runs in four games in losing their first series of the year. It will interesting to see if the Jays can get the offence back on track against the AL leading Bosox.
TALE OF TWO PITCHING UNITS
Jays pitching coach Pete Walker spent some time on the weekend in New York talking about his starting staff and the difficulties it has had this year, and his bullpen, and how great it has been.
Heading into Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Yankees, Toronto’s combined ERA among its starters was 5.16 (64 ER/111.2 IP), 12th in the AL. What is supposed to be a team strength has not been. Meanwhile, the bullpen leads the league with a 2.07 ERA (15 ER/65.1 IP). Anchoring the pen is closer Roberto
Osuna, who looks much stronger this year than last. His fastball velocity is up from 2017 (averaging 95.7 MPH on his four-seamer this season as compared to 95 last year) with his slider faster and his change up slower than last season, all contributing to what has been a big start for the 23-year-old. Osuna had an up and down season in 2017. He finished tied for second in the AL with 39 saves and made his first all-star team, but also ended up with 10 blown saves. He is 6-for-6 in save opportunities this year and has not allowed a run in his last 14 games (14.1 IP) dating back to last season while giving up just four singles (.087 OBA, 0.28 WHIP, 0BB, 14K). Left-handed batters are hitting .167 against Osuna and righties .077. Most importantly, Osuna seems in a good place after experiencing some personal struggles last year.
“He’s been unbelievable,” said Walker. “He’s mature out there, he’s so competitive and composed. He’s a young kid in this game, but he acts like a seasoned veteran and I know the opposing teams aren’t thrilled when he’s in the game.”
Walker said that Osuna’s slider and change up are more effective when his fastball is on the north end of the mid-90’s.
“You see him up to 96 here in New York, coming out easy,” said Walker. “It’s an over-powering fastball, it’s quick arm action, he gets on the hitters quick. But his secondary stuff has been really good too. He’s gotten back to really utilizing that four-seam fastball which, when he’s at his best, that thing’s a dominate pitch.”
As for the rest of the bullpen, Walker sees a group perhaps exceeding expectations.
“There are some veteran guys down there (John Axford, Tyler Clippard, Seung Hwan Oh), that came in with certainly something to prove and have done a great job in the early going. And the guys from within, that were with us last year (Osuna, Ryan Tepera, Danny Barnes) who have really picked up the pace as well feeding off each other, doing a great job. But we certainly want to get the starters rolling. They’re certainly capable.”
BATS SHALL RETURN
Circle June 19 and 20 on your calendar. Those are the dates that the Atlanta Braves touch down at the Rogers Centre, very possibly with Jose Bautista in tow. Bautista signed a minor-league deal with the Braves last week and joined the Braves’ triple-A affiliate Gwinnett on Monday and could possibly arrive in Atlanta some time this week. No doubt Jays management will put together a tribute presentation when the Braves touch down.