Calling all Blue Jays fans — pick a bandwagon and hop on
Playoff baseball is a luxurious outlet for sports fans as the world weathers the pandemic and a social reckoning. And it’s a heck of a lot more fun with a team to back Stuck without a favourite with the Blue Jays out? Consider this permission to jump on a bandwagon for the next three weeks, with the AL (Rays-Yankees, A’s-Astros) and NL Division Series (DodgersPadres, Braves-Marlins) set to begin. Which bandwagon? We have thoughts ...
TAMPA BAY RAYS
Cheer: For money well spent. At $28,290,689 (U.S.) according to Spotrac, their payroll was the third-lowest in baseball. If you appreciate bang for the buck, you’ll love the Rays. Jeer: The age-old question for Jays fans: Is it better to be knocked out by the eventual champions, or to see the team that beat you suffer?
NEW YORK YANKEES
Cheer: For a powerhouse lineup that is the healthiest it’s been all year. Even at less than full strength in the 60-game regular season, they raked with 94 homers and an ALleading 315 runs. Jeer: They’re the Yankees. Enough said.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
Cheer: For ex-Jay Liam Hendriks, the lights-out closer, and a bullpen that put up a majorleague-best 2.72 ERA. If a starter is pulled early, don’t fret. Jeer: Their heart and soul, Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman, is out for the year after hip surgery.
HOUSTON ASTROS
Cheer: For rookie right-hander Cristian Javier, a feel-good story after ace Justin Verlander was lost for the year with an elbow injury in July. The 23-year-old Javier had pitched just 11 innings above double-A before putting up a 3.48 ERA in 54 1⁄3 frames. Jeer: Sign-stealing scandal. Enough said.
MIAMI MARLINS
Cheer: For utilityman Jon Berti, who played 792 minorleague games with the Blue Jays before his big-league debut. He’s now a regular on a club that was a 1,000-1 longshot to reach the playoffs. Jeer: In July, 18 players and two coaches contracted COVID-19 when they “let their guard down,” according to CEO Derek Jeter.
ATLANTA BRAVES
Cheer: For Freddie Freeman, a dual citizen who has played internationally for Canada and had another MVP-calibre year — after recovering from COVID-19. The first baseman led the NL in runs (51), doubles (23) and extra-base hits (37) and ranked second in average (.341) and OPS (1.102). Jeer: Calgary’s Mike Soroka suffered an Achilles injury in his third start, ending his year.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Cheer: For Fernando Tatis Jr., the most exciting young player in baseball — from the home runs to the hair. Tatis and Manny Machado form a fearsome twosome. Jeer: If you’re into roster stability, the Padres aren’t for you. They engineered six trades involving 23 players in August, including the best player to move at the deadline: right-hander Mike Clevinger.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Cheer: For a team that made it to two World Series in the last three seasons, then added outfielder Mookie Betts. Their first title since 1988 is in reach. Jeer: Reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger hasn’t been himself, batting .239 in the regular season plus a pair of singles in the wild-card round.