Toronto Blue Jays vs Baltimore Orioles (Nightmare) Series Recap
Vibe Check
There is a point in time when saying “can’t win them all” or “get them tomorrow” no longer has the immediate healing effects you want it to. This series against the Orioles has been ROUGH. All the things you wish to not happen have happened. Injuries, dead bats with runners on base, pitchers giving up lots and/or untimely runs. This series had it all. However, we look at the standings (as of the 6th inning of game 4) and the Blue Jays are tied for the best record in the American League. They have the tie breaker over the Tigers. The Blue Jays have a 4 game lead in the AL East. This mini-slump is eating into the cushion, but as far as the playoffs are concerned, all is well.
BABIP Monster: I was unable to watch most of the innings in this series. Life and day games took their toll. What I did see, there was an awful lot of batted balls being hit DIRECTLY at the defenders. I don’t remember seeing any of that during the streak or in the three series after the All-Star Break.
AAA Squad: After Springer and Kirk took baseballs to their protective headgear, the Jays’ lineup was missing five starters. Santander, Springer, Varsho, Kirk and Gimenez. This isn’t meant to take away from the guys who are on the field. They have played well for the last two months and put up a fight in this series. The takeaway is that at some point, we have to look at the roster and look forward to what this team can do when they get all their intended starters back.
Playing Conditions: We heard for days going into the series that it was going to be hot and muggy. The Blue Jays were at the end of a 14 games in 13 days stretch. The boys need a rest and what I saw on the field, they look like they need an off-day. Thankfully, they get one tomorrow. Combine this with the limited roster they are playing with, things are fine. Yes, it sucks to lose this many games to the Orioles. Ugh, Mullins just stole another Home Run. This one would have given the Jays the lead.
Everything is Fine, really, it is. Don’t let this snowball. Jays get an off day then a home series against the Royals. The Royals are sub-500 but they are the exact team that feels like they will come into Rogers Center Skydome and win a series. I don’t see panic swings from most of the lineup. Barger has looked out of sorts this series. The pitching has been bad, but I’m willing to chalk that up to the heat and the end of a long run of games. The cushion is gone for the AL Race, but there is room still in the AL East race. Everything is fine, meant in the most unironic way possible.
The Blue Jays are a good team. They are a contending team. This series sucked. They won’t all suck, and this team has all the ingredients for making a playoff run. Keep the faith fam.
I’m not going to say Lukes’ Home Run in the 7th saved the season. I will say it made me forget all the other games in Balitmore. You can’t lose them all so LET’S GET EM AGAIN ON FRIDAY!!!
Game 1 Moments (Blue Jays Lose 4-11)
Game 2 Moments (Blue Jays Lose 4-16)
Game 3 Moments (Blue Jays Lose 2-3)
Game 4 Moments (Blue Jays Win 9-8)
Random Thoughts
I have checked the schedule, and our Blue Jays do not have to come back to Baltimore. Oof, what a cursed series
I feel like the win in game 4, in the manner in which the Blue Jays won, will keep the smugness off Baltimore fan’s collective faces. I consider that a win. Their last memory of this home series will be that Lukes Home Run (and not the Mullins catches or the attempted comeback).
