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I’m off to play tennis for the first time in many years, so this will be quick. After a year and a half of doing little, I’m looking for some new hobbies. Maybe tennis?
I’m always amazed at the healing power of the changing over of a month.
The team is 8-0 in September.
Our starting pitchers have a 3.26 ERA, allowing a .226/.288/.358 batting line.
The relievers haven’t been a good 4.44 ERA, but then they haven’t had to be. They have done the job when we’ve needed it.
Our batters are hitting .301/.386/.601 for the month so far, after hitting .251/.320/.420 in August.
I want to do a post on this, but I thought I’d just ask the question now, and we’ll do a post looking at the numbers later:
Poll
Who would you pick as Blue Jays MVP (to this point)?
This poll is closed
-
58%
Vladimir Guerrero
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20%
Robbie Ray
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20%
Marcus Semien
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0%
Someone else
Gregor Chisholm writes about Alejandro Kirk. He’s right that the injury earlier in the season cost him any shot at the Rookie of the Year award. And I do like the idea of Kirk as leadoff hitter against LHP in Springer's absence. I don’t think his lack of speed should disqualify him from the job. It isn’t like leadoff hitting steal many bases anymore, and you have the power behind him. He’s going to get to trot home a bunch.
I generally think that having speed in the back of the order is a better idea (presuming the speed isn’t combined with the best hitter). Score big at the top of the order and manufacture at the bottom if you want to use the phrase.
This is a pretty great list to be on:
Players in AL HISTORY with a 40+ HR, 100 RBI season before turning 23:
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 10, 2021
1) Joe DiMaggio (1937)
2) Juan Gonzalez (1992)
3) Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2021) pic.twitter.com/zujahprE3o
If this seemed like the best series we’ve ever had against the Yankees, well, you are right:
The Yankees were swept in 4 games by the Blue Jays & never had a lead.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 10, 2021
It's the 1st time the Yanks never led in a 4+ game series since June 23-25, 1924, against the Washington Senators.
They played 1,250 series of 4+ games since then & led in every one. (h/t @eliassports) pic.twitter.com/DkNvPkAlbC
Chris Sale has been placed on the Covid IL and will miss his next Saturday:
Chris Sale becomes the 12th #RedSox player to be placed on the COVID injured list in the last two weeks.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 10, 2021
This comes out after Hunter Renfroe said on Boston radio that the MLB told them to stop testing:
#RedSox OF Hunter Renfroe on team's COVID issues:
— Merloni & Fauria (@MerloniFauria) September 9, 2021
"MLB basically told us to stop the testing and just treat the symptoms. We're like "No. We're gonna figure out what's going and keep this thing under control.""@LouMerloni: MLB asked you to stop testing?
Renfroe: "Yes." pic.twitter.com/0UpKdvqtGG
Of course, MLB denies this. It is a pretty terrible statement about MLB if it is true. Maybe it is just a rumor that has been circulating among the players. Or, it is entirely possible that someone from the MLB office suggested this without talking to other people in the office.
This seems to be a thing. Lately, I’ve been told several times that Alberta should stop testing. I disagree. I prefer to know what’s happening. And I think hospitals need to know what the future looks like. Hospital admissions follow Covid numbers.
But in the Red Sox case, if they don’t test, they can’t keep their players and staff safe.
When you thought you couldn’t love the home run jacket more, there is this:
#Yankees announcers are reeeeeally tired of seeing the #BlueJays home run jacket.
— CJ Hajer (@CjHajer) September 9, 2021
"We have to look at this jacket again. You know what? I've had enough."
I can assure you that we, Jays fans, have room for much more of that. #LetsGo