Thoughts about this season's start.
Thoughts about this season's start.
While writing these lines, the Jays are 7W-8L and last in the AL East.
I know, I know, it's still early. This is the Jays' motto.
For those who have watched some or all of the games so far, what are your thoughts about the team, your projections?
In a word, underwhelming.
But, as the motto goes, it's still early. I saw a stat the other day that the Jays' chase rates were among the top in the league, but run production was among the lowest. I'm optimistic that this new hitting mentality will come around to produce benefits though, it'll just take a bit of time and discipline to really kick in.
I think the story this year is going to again be hitting struggles. We seem to be okay with pitching but Gausmann is struggling. We need him to carry his games late. I'm less worried about pitching than offence though. We get shut down by good pitching.
Brutal honesty: they aren't a very fun team to watch so far. I really hope that they can find some joy and play with some fire.
Exactly my feeling, the thirst for wins is not there. Players strikeout three times a match, have an OPS of 0.180 and not an ounce of anger is shown. I hope it turns around.
Coming into the season I forecast that the Jays would get a bottom wildcard spot or just miss the wildcard. Performance this year has been hot and cold (e.g., runs scored per game, quality of starting pitching), and I'm beginning to think things could perhaps go worse for the club this year (e.g., 4th/5th in the AL East and/or trading Vladdy mid-season). Two causes of concern:
Gausman quickly coming back from an injury, having an ERA of almost 12, and a noticeable drop in his velocity. As a two or three pitch starter, small drops in his speed or command might greatly reduce his effectiveness. There are downstream effects on the rest of the pitching staff if the Jays' presumed #1 pitcher in their rotation performs like a #2-4 arm.
There are serious conversations between Vladdy and Edwin Encarnacíon in the dugout during games when we're only 14 games into the season. I think a lot in both Vladdy's and the Jays' future depends on whether Vladdy can return to his 2021 or even 2022 form this year. That Eddie has been brought in this early seems sobering.
Good news is that we're due to receive reinforcements soon: Danny Jansen, Alek Manoah, Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson!
I do believe they're gonna miss the wildcard by a couple games as well.
I don't perceive the thirst for wins they once had, mainly when Teoscar and Gurriel Jr. were still in TO.
And yes, I do hope the players coming back from injuries give the team an uplift.
I don’t perceive the thirst for wins they once had, mainly when Teoscar and Gurriel Jr. were still in TO.
I think the players might be aware that the team might not be good enough (offensively) and is on the brink of a rebuild without many ingredients for a promising future; they might have a tough time weathering a cold streak as a result. Looking back it's amazing how much the front office took run production and supporting Vladdy (e.g., protection, friends on the bench, coaching) for granted and how costly that's been