Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 28, 2022 19:25:57 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays (33-31) @ Boston Red Sox (41-25)
TOR: Dakota Hudson (2-6, 3.31)
BOS: Jhoan Duran (5-1, 3.18)
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
18: Blue Jays Stolen Bases: After leading the league in steals in 2028, Toronto has taken a more conservative approach on the bases—much more conservative. The club is last in steals a year after being first. Naturally, losing Eric Drouet would result in fewer steals, but three players had double digit steals last year that are still on the team, and only Taylor Walls has at least five. It’s a new approach for a team that’s thrived on terrorizing the bases.
.341: Jake Burger’s OPS: Burger’s had a few rough patches early in his career, but aside from a rough 2021-2022 stretch, has been very consistent. The last three years, he’s had between 23-25 homers, and hit between .263-.265—remarkably consistent. Toronto has come to depend on that consistently, but he got off to an awful start, hitting .128 with a single homer over 114 Plate Appearances. He has just 23 Plate Appearances in May and only six in June, as his poor performance and Toronto’s slow start hasn’t allowed him opportunities to shake off the slow start. Toronto may need his bat to achieve their ultimate goals but he has to show he can produce too.
.838: Kyle Seager’s Career OPS: The veteran slugger will end a fantastic career with an .838 OPS. Seager was out of baseball last year after struggling down the stretch with Cleveland in 2027 after a midseason trade. Seager’s average has continued to struggle for Toronto, but he’s drawn 20 walks and has seven doubles in only 126 plate appearances. Seager has 10 career homers in 190 career playoff plate appearances. Toronto is hoping Seager can provide a few more playoff long balls before he hangs up the cleats for good.
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
4: Wins in 5 home games versus Toronto: Boston has excelled versus Toronto at home, sweeping the Blue Jays in a two game April set, and taking two of three so far this series. Boston’s pitching is the reason why. The Red Sox have held Toronto to a single run in three Fenway games, plus two runs in a fourth. The bullpen has been exceptional in the contests, with a 3-1 record, three saves, and a 1.93 ERA. Toronto may need to do damage against Jhoan Duran tonight if they want to salvage a series split.
.234: Juan Gestoso’s June Average: Doorbell has not been ringing this month. After a decent start to the year, Gestoso has struggled in June. He’s batting just .234, but also has just two doubles and a lone homer. Since he hasn’t been getting on base, he only has a pai of steals. Boston’s paying for an MVP, and Doorbell has been more of a solid starter rather than a difference maker.
2: Saves for Bobby Mendez: After an exceptional 2028, Mendez has ceded the Closer role back to Steve Hartman. It’s not performance-based—Mendez has a 2.14 ERA this year. It underscores just how deep Boston’s bullpen is. Hartman has a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings, and Luis Contreras has a 1.99 mark, dominating again after being misused as a starter for three seasons. Those are three arms who once led the league in saves locking down the late innings for Boston, a tremendous luxury and a reason the team is 9-4 in one-run games.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, Leodys Taveras is due off the IL. Will he be added to the roster, and if so, who gets sent down?
The loss of Eric Drouet plays a big part in this obviously, but your club’s steals are way down. You used to be a big steals guy when Doorbell was on you club in Atlanta. What is your take on your club’s conservatism on the bases?
Your club had a good May, but it was aided by an easy schedule, and you’ve been mediocre this month. Do you feel you’re a contender or are you stuck between eras?
For Mike Ball, why did you DFA Luis Villareal and Amin Valdez?
Joel McCabe started the year playing Shortstop, but has since moved to First Base. Why did you make the switch?
You recently signed Lucius Fox. What do you expect his role to be?
TRIVIA: Three Blue Jays have at least 25 career position player WAR All-Time. Who are the three?
TOR: Dakota Hudson (2-6, 3.31)
BOS: Jhoan Duran (5-1, 3.18)
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
18: Blue Jays Stolen Bases: After leading the league in steals in 2028, Toronto has taken a more conservative approach on the bases—much more conservative. The club is last in steals a year after being first. Naturally, losing Eric Drouet would result in fewer steals, but three players had double digit steals last year that are still on the team, and only Taylor Walls has at least five. It’s a new approach for a team that’s thrived on terrorizing the bases.
.341: Jake Burger’s OPS: Burger’s had a few rough patches early in his career, but aside from a rough 2021-2022 stretch, has been very consistent. The last three years, he’s had between 23-25 homers, and hit between .263-.265—remarkably consistent. Toronto has come to depend on that consistently, but he got off to an awful start, hitting .128 with a single homer over 114 Plate Appearances. He has just 23 Plate Appearances in May and only six in June, as his poor performance and Toronto’s slow start hasn’t allowed him opportunities to shake off the slow start. Toronto may need his bat to achieve their ultimate goals but he has to show he can produce too.
.838: Kyle Seager’s Career OPS: The veteran slugger will end a fantastic career with an .838 OPS. Seager was out of baseball last year after struggling down the stretch with Cleveland in 2027 after a midseason trade. Seager’s average has continued to struggle for Toronto, but he’s drawn 20 walks and has seven doubles in only 126 plate appearances. Seager has 10 career homers in 190 career playoff plate appearances. Toronto is hoping Seager can provide a few more playoff long balls before he hangs up the cleats for good.
Red Sox 3 Key Stats
4: Wins in 5 home games versus Toronto: Boston has excelled versus Toronto at home, sweeping the Blue Jays in a two game April set, and taking two of three so far this series. Boston’s pitching is the reason why. The Red Sox have held Toronto to a single run in three Fenway games, plus two runs in a fourth. The bullpen has been exceptional in the contests, with a 3-1 record, three saves, and a 1.93 ERA. Toronto may need to do damage against Jhoan Duran tonight if they want to salvage a series split.
.234: Juan Gestoso’s June Average: Doorbell has not been ringing this month. After a decent start to the year, Gestoso has struggled in June. He’s batting just .234, but also has just two doubles and a lone homer. Since he hasn’t been getting on base, he only has a pai of steals. Boston’s paying for an MVP, and Doorbell has been more of a solid starter rather than a difference maker.
2: Saves for Bobby Mendez: After an exceptional 2028, Mendez has ceded the Closer role back to Steve Hartman. It’s not performance-based—Mendez has a 2.14 ERA this year. It underscores just how deep Boston’s bullpen is. Hartman has a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings, and Luis Contreras has a 1.99 mark, dominating again after being misused as a starter for three seasons. Those are three arms who once led the league in saves locking down the late innings for Boston, a tremendous luxury and a reason the team is 9-4 in one-run games.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, Leodys Taveras is due off the IL. Will he be added to the roster, and if so, who gets sent down?
The loss of Eric Drouet plays a big part in this obviously, but your club’s steals are way down. You used to be a big steals guy when Doorbell was on you club in Atlanta. What is your take on your club’s conservatism on the bases?
Your club had a good May, but it was aided by an easy schedule, and you’ve been mediocre this month. Do you feel you’re a contender or are you stuck between eras?
For Mike Ball, why did you DFA Luis Villareal and Amin Valdez?
Joel McCabe started the year playing Shortstop, but has since moved to First Base. Why did you make the switch?
You recently signed Lucius Fox. What do you expect his role to be?
TRIVIA: Three Blue Jays have at least 25 career position player WAR All-Time. Who are the three?
