Monday bantering

Apologies for the lack of bantering recently- i was prioritizing house renovations for the last few month.

My house renovation is a good metaphor for the Jays right now- tearing down the old, outdated and not fit for purpose (cough Socrates Brito cough) and putting something shiny and new in that will be enjoyed for years to come.

However, after 4 weeks i have a new kitchen, bathroom, toilet and landscaped garden. Its fair to say that the Jays renovations will take a lot longer; although there may be some toilet related analogies along the way given how we are playing currently...

Anyway, mangled metaphors aside, yesterday’s win was hugely enjoyable - i feel this image sums it up nicely:

The performances of Cavan Biggio and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. especially, gave us a glimpse of the future.

The Biggio (and FisherCats! ) family were very pleased. Is that Fungo hiding in the background?

---

Meanwhile Nate Pearson is rising as fast as his heater is.

And emotional stakes will always complicate Blue Jays’ decisions

---

Prospect of the Day yesterday was catcher Riley Adams who went 2-for-3, HR (6), 3 RBI, 2 R, BB for AA New Hampshire.

Adams went deep in a second straight game. His last two homers have come as part of two-hit, three-RBI performances that have lifted his average to .355 over his last 10 games. After struggling at the plate last year in his first full season, he has rebounded this season to go .274/.397/.476 in 36 games between New Hampshire and Class A Advanced Dunedin.

---

Up next

The Jays travel to the architectural abomination that is the Trop to play the team that always seems to have our number, the Rays.

Today sees Aaron ‘Blisters’ Sanchez (3-4, 3.79 ERA) vs. RHP Yonny Chirinos (5-1, 3.20 ERA)

In four games in May, Chirinos is 1-1, 2.75 ERA, .209 opponents’ batting average, 1.09 WHIP. He’s not an “opener,” so expect him to go five or six innings. Or throw a complete game no hitter against us...because Tampa.

Tuesday sees LHP Clayton ‘Is he still with us?’ Richard (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. TBA

The Rays have used an “opener” 16 times so far this season (14 of them by RHP Ryne Stanek). The openers have allowed four earned runs over 26 innings (1.38 ERA).

Wednesday sees RHP Trent ‘Feast or Famine’ Thornton (1-4, 4.42 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Snell (3-4, 3.07 ERA)

Snell, the 2018 Cy Young winner, held us to one hit in six shutout innings on April 13. He has a 1.01 WHIP and .207 opponents’ batting average this season.

I’d like to think we can get something out of the series, but looking at the matchups, the fact that we are in the Trop and its the Rays, i fear we will get swept. Obviously, i would love to proven wrong and we open a massive can of whup ass on them.

---

Ahead of the series, both teams have made adjustments to their pitching.

The Rays recalled Oliver Drake, who pitched for five teams (sadly including the Jays) last season, and optioned Casey Sadler to Triple-A Durham.

The Blue Jays called up Jacob Waguespack from Triple-A Buffalo and put Tim Mayza (left ulnar neuritis) on the IL. Waguespack, who has yet to pitch in the majors, was 2-6 with a 5.86 ERA in nine starts with Buffalo.

---

We may be only two months into the season but we can always look at the MLB’s Worst 2019 Contract Busts!

---

Play of the Day

Tim Locastro is missing the dust of Arizona so much, he decided to improvise in San Francisco: