This weekend was my son Jacob’s seventh birthday; I took 8 seven year old boys to play lazer tag, ate lots of cake and built several Lego sets. It was an enjoyable and productive weekend, mainly because i didn’t see any of the Jays games. it doesn’t appear that i missed very much, other than more defeats.
Sad stats (feel free to skip this as it ain’t pretty)
With yesterday’s 8-2 loss to the D-bags, the Jays have been swept for the seventh time in 20 series this season. The Jays were outscored 22-4 in the interleague three-game set.
They have now lost four in a row and 14-of-17 and are now 9-28 over the last 37 games.
The Jays entered play 18 games under .500, ugly territory the organization has not reached since 2002, when Carlos Delgado, Homer Bush, Shannon Stewart and even current pitching coach Pete Walker suited up for skipper Buck Martinez and GM J.P. Ricciardi.
Currently only the Kansas City Royals (20-45) and Baltimore Orioles (20-45) have worse records than Toronto’s 23-42.
The Blue Jays are on pace for 57 wins this season, which would be their lowest victory total in a non-strike shortened year since a franchise-low 53 in 1979.
On the bright side, Charlie Montoyo has given Edwin Jackson a vote of confidence:
#BlueJays have decided to give Edwin Jackson another start in Baltimore.
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) June 9, 2019
When I asked what went into that decision, Charlie Montoyo said “We don’t have anybody else.”
Thank the Lourdes
Lourdes Gurriel Jr has been terrific since being recalled from Buffalo on May 24.
He entered play Sunday hitting .314 (16-for-51) with four doubles, a triple, four homers and six RBI across 14 games, before adding to his home run tally in the first inning and ripping a double in the eighth.
That’s in contrast to the .175 (7-for-40) he hit in 13 games before being optioned to triple-A.
Lets not kid ourselves though, few things are going right for the Jays as they head back out on the road.
Reports suggest the Yankees are talking to the Jays about a possible trade for Stroman.
Of course trading homegrown arms would add a nostalgic layer to the Jays rebuild.
And more Draft signing news:
2nd-rder Kendall Williams signs w/@BlueJays for $1,547,500. Slot 52 value = $1,403,200. Florida HS RHP, super projectable at 6-ft-6, fastball up to 95, pair of promising breaking pitches. Vanderbilt recruit. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 9, 2019
MLB Bits
The big news of the day was about Big Papi. Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was shot in the Dominican Republic, but is expected to make a full recovery. Get well soon big fella!
Madison Bumgarner has a bit of an issue with Dodgers players; first it was Yasiel Puig now its Max Muncy. Bumgarner took exception to Muncy putting one into the ocean and admiring said rocket:
THIS LEAGUE! pic.twitter.com/F7vUuBW7os
— MLB (@MLB) June 9, 2019
Muncy summed it up nicely later though with a deep burn!
Madison Bumgarner: "Don't watch the ball, you run."
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) June 9, 2019
Max Muncy: "If you don't want me to watch the ball, you can get it out of the ocean."
(via @SportsNetLA)pic.twitter.com/i1gfhIgl8R
A feel a new feud brewing....get some popcorn folks!
Play of the Day
Craig Stammen of the Padres was in an Oprah like giving mood today:
NATIONALS GO
— Bleacher Report MLB (@BR_MLB) June 9, 2019
⚾️ BACK
TO ⚾️ BACK
TO ⚾️ BACK
TO ⚾️ BACK
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/9W4aMZg3xo