Toronto Blue Jays vs Colorado Rockies Series Recap

Vibe Check

• What needed to happen? The vibe in the last two series has been down. Not enough to bring the season long vibe down, but we were losing games when teams like the Red Sox and Brewers were and still are winning games. Every team has the Rockies (and White Sox) circled on the calendar as games they want have to win. Based on how the team was playing coming into the series, the Blue Jays NEEDED to win the series at the very least. I’m writing this in the top of the 6th and the Jays are winning 10-1. That’s three double digit run scoring games in a row. Scoring runs is fun, winning is fun. The Jays are on pace for a sweep and while this does not erase the series losses to the Orioles and Royals, this is a nice reminder that the boys are capable of showing up when the schedule calls.

• Was this a Get-Right Series? I’m not prepared to think the bats are suddenly going to go into Dodger stadium and score 6+ runs a game. The Colorado air and the Rockies pitching staff is not a barometer of success, or change. However, the Blue Jays’ pitchers went into the same conditions, against a team coming off games of 17, 8, and 5 runs scored and held the Rockies to 6 runs through 27 innings. I’m nervous going into the Dodger series, and I don’t think a sweep against a team like the Rockies changes the short-term narrative enough to ease the nerves. I do think the Jays can pull from the pool of confidence gained in this series and put the Royals and Orioles behind them. Let’s be honest, the players have already moved on; it’s me who needs to put the Royals and Orioles behind me. The series against the Rockies has done a lot of good work for me this week.

• What happens when Bieber is added to the rotation? I genuinely have no idea what the team is going to do with the starting pitchers they have when Bieber is brought up from minor league rehab. Lauer is the “obvious” pick to be moved to the bullpen. How do you remove the most consistent starter the Jays have had in the last two months? Berrios, Bassitt, Gausman, Scherzer? None of those names are moving. This is an incredible problem to have. I don’t ever remember the Blue Jays being in this kind of position. Is this the case for a 6-man rotation? Age is a feature of this rotation, and a 6-man rotation would add some rest, but can the bullpen absorb a pitcher’s spot going to a 6th starter? I’m excited to have this “problem”, I sincerely hope the solution isn’t one of those injuries that make the situation “work out on its own.”

Game 1 Moments (Blue Jays Win 15-1)

• Lauer has been an amazing pick up. Going into the series, stat heads were posting about how poorly he has performed in Colorado. He was incredible this game.

Game 2 Moments (Blue Jays Win 10-4)

• Berrios fought this game. It felt like this would have been one of those throw away Berrios home run games. It just didn’t. The first few innings he did not look comfortable, but he kept working and next thing we know, were in the 6th inning. Yes, he gave up 2 runs as a parting gift, but I was pleased to see the performance he put in for a game where he didn’t look like he was having a great time.

• Joey Loperfido took a fastball to the knee. He seems to be ok, but I was worried during the game after he was taken out. Sucks to see a player going so well get sidelined for any amount of time by something like a bone bruise.

• Jordan Beck: Bro has an attitude and needs to take a seat. The count was 0-1, the ball hit your elbow pad, and the Jays had lost a player (see above). I hope you strike out every at-bat for the rest of the year.

Game 3 Moments (Blue Jays Win 20-1)

• Barger looked better at the plate this series. He did struggle in the field. That can’t go without mention, however, he looked better at the plate thise series. I hope he found something. Vladdy looked like Vladdy this series. All the hitters were hot this series, but those were the two I was most interested in seeing some confidence built up. Vladdy is having a great season. His wRC+ is 142 coming into the series. There is no reason to think he is having a bad year, but we can see the frustration and we can see the GIDPs. Chase swings and GIDP are the sign that Vladdy is off. This series we saw line drives, home runs and RBI. Let’s carry this into Los Angeles.

• Bo was a monster this series. Please extend him.

Random Thoughts

• This team, this roster is so fun to root for.

• Daulton Varsho, WELCOME BACK FROM THE IL!!!

• Record Hits, Record Runs, run differentials are stooopid.