Game of the Week: August 31: BAL @ TOR

[Commissioner Erick]

Baltimore Orioles (77-53) @ Toronto Blue Jays (66-64)


BAL: Alex Reyes (8-7, 4.41)
TOR: Thomas Szapucki (8-3, 3.65)


Orioles Key Stats:

51: Baltimore’s Home Run total in August, tops in the AL. The next highest total is 40 and only two other teams have more than 32. Baltimore has mashed in August.

.308: Jacob Allred’s Batting Average. Allred has started in Center Field the past week, with Wessel Russhchen on the IL with a minor injury. While still a huge downgrade, Allred has been a 1.1 WAR player in just 42 Games this year, and was worth 3.0 WAR last year.

1.83: Chris Foster’s ERA. The rookie reliever picked in 2022 out of Oklahoma University has had a strong rookie year. He’s 6-1 and has 74 strikeouts in 59 innings. Baltimore’s pen has been middle-of-the-pack, but Foster’s made it better with his pitching.

.296: Francisco DeJesus’ Batting Average in July. It’s the first month DeJesus has hit higher than .250, and Baltimore’s surge has coincided with his hot hitting.

0.5: Baltimore’s AL East lead on July 31. That lead was extended to the 5 Games over Tampa Bay they have right now. Boston has fallen to 9 back, and Toronto 11. As long as Baltimore has a decent finish, they’ll win the AL East.


Blue Jays 5 Key Stats


12: The number of weeks missed to injury this year for Rattlesnake Drouet and Willi Castro. Drouet is expected to return soon from an intercostal strain, but Castro, who didn’t sign until late April, will miss the rest of the year.

.713: Jahmai Jones’ OPS. Jones turned in a stellar 6.5 WAR season in 2024 with a .295 average, 36 steals, and 27 home runs when Toronto won the World Series. Injuries have held him out of the lineup at times this year, but when he’s played, he’s struggled, batting .255 with 10 home runs. He’s still a solid contributor, but he was Toronto’s third best position player when they won the World Series.

4: The number of 40+ home run seasons Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has hit the past four seasons. He only has 24 this year. Guerrero is having a fine year, and this is a down year for production compared to some of the crazy run environments of the past, but Toronto has needed more from him this year.

.364: Taylor Walls On-Base Percentage. Walls’ OBP is the second highest among AL Second Basemen, as he continues to be a very useful starter. The doubles power he showed early in his career has evaporated, but he’s running more than ever and is still a top defensive Second Baseman.

11: Doubles for J.B. Woodman in just 112 Plate Appearances. Woodman has only a single home run after being unsigned most of the year, and he’s only batting .252 shaking off the rust, but the doubles power is still there.


Questions for the GMs:


For Vic Black, you made it a point of emphasis to improve your pen this year. Do you feel that it’s improved?

Has Alex Reyes given you what you expected this year?

How has the Mike Floyd at Second Base experiment fared for you this year?

For Ben Smaller, injuries to the infield have forced you to move some guys around. How do you feel your guys like Jake Burger and Kole Enright have responded?

Are you disappointed in Federico Pando for his terrible season?

Your bullpen has the fourth best ERA in the AL despite not having any left-handers. What’s been its secret?


TRIVIA: Baltimore currently employs a hitter who is the all-time postseason leader in on-base-percentage, and a hitter who is the all-time postseason leader in slugging percentage. Who are the two players?

[Commissioner Erick]

Matt correctly guessed Rowdy Tellez and Joe DeCarlo

[vicblack22]

For Vic Black, you made it a point of emphasis to improve your pen this year. Do you feel that it’s improved?

That was a point of emphasis this offseason. I felt that pitching was the main reason we fell short last year. Hopefully this year will be different and we can get over that hump.

Has Alex Reyes given you what you expected this year?

I honestly felt that if Reyes can win 10-12 games for us, it be successful. He one of those guys we felt could have a big impact for us on the pitching side.

How has the Mike Floyd at Second Base experiment fared for you this year?

Mike has been good. Way better than the first season he played 2nd base full time. Hopefully he continues to improve.

[Commissioner Erick]

Orioles 9 - Blue Jays 2


WP: C. Foster (7-2)
LP: T. Szapucki (8-4)
SV: R. Alonzo (3)


The Baltimore Orioles beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 9-2, at Rogers Centre. The win was due in part to first baseman Francisco DeJesus, who was 2-5 with a home run and a double, while scoring 3 times and driving in 2. Baltimore reliever Chris Foster picked up the win, upping his record to 7-1. Thomas Szapucki shouldered the loss. Rafael Alonzo got the save, his 3rd in 4 chances.

Baltimore took the lead in the top of the fifth when DeJesus hit a 2-run home run. His 30th home run of the season made the score 4-2, Baltimore.

"Good baseball players make you a smarter manager," said Baltimore manager Vic Black.

With the win, Baltimore pushed its record to 78-53.


Questions for the GMs:


For Vic Black, your outfield threw out two runners on the bases, and Omar Baldo gunned down a runner trying to steal. How happy are you with your defense?

Did you expect Chris Foster would have as successful a season as he has?

Your offense turned things around this month, culminating in tonight's blowout. What changed for your offense?

For Ben Smaller, how did Cadyn Grenier look in his first game back?

Your team has really fallen off. What can you do to make a final push for the playoffs?

Your team was very aggressive on the bases, leading to three runners being thrown out. Do you feel you were too aggressive?


TRIVIA: Who is the all-time leader in stolen bases for Catchers?

[vicblack22]

For Vic Black, your outfield threw out two runners on the bases, and Omar Baldo gunned down a runner trying to steal. How happy are you with your defense?

Yes. I am very pleased with my defense. The guys worked hard this past offseason to get better in the field and its showing.

Did you expect Chris Foster would have as successful a season as he has?

Yes. Chris pitched great in AAA last year so we knew he had what it takes to be successful in the majors. He just need the confidence. Veterans like Sean Newcomb and Rafael Alonzo have also helped in his development.

Your offense turned things around this month, culminating in tonight's blowout. What changed for your offense?

We just started playing like we are capable of. We are a very strong offensive team and when everyone is playing up to their abilites or at least close at the same time, we will be very hard to beat.