Post by Commissioner Erick on Dec 3, 2019 7:48:53 GMT -5
New York Yankees (77-71) @ Toronto Blue Jays (86-63)
NYY: Jorge Guzman (2-3, 4.68)
TOR: T.J. Zeuch (13-6, 3.44)
The Toronto Blue Jays made the decision to rebuild midway through the 2018 season, netting Collin Wiles, Thomas Szapucki, Yusniel Diaz, Kole Enright, Jake Burger, Logan Warmoth, Eduardo Paredes, and Jahmai Jones to jump start their rebuild. Development isn't linear and some of Toronto's existing prospects didn't prove themselves until the middle of this year, but once they did, the Blue Jays took off. The young core has matured into a group of 26-28 year olds, and it's a core that has led Toronto to have the number three offense and number three run-preventing unit in the game. Toronto is very good at all aspects of the game, pitching, running, fielding, getting on base, and slugging, making them a tough out. They'll send their ace T.J. Zeuch to the mound as Toronto looks to leapfrog Tampa Bay and capture the AL East. They'll take on a New York Yankees team that's out of the playoff hunt after a disappointing start to their season. New York has badly underperformed its run differential, meaning a few breaks early could have left New York fighting for the AL East as well. To the Yankees credit, after being 31-44 in early July, they've surged in the seasond half, going 46-27 since the 31-44 start. If anything, it's shown that the start was a blip and the Yankees should be back next year. They've discovered that Jorge Polanco can do what Esteban Robles has done at a fraction of the price, and that Aaron Judge has finally shown to be a dangerous major league hitter. If New York can rebuild it's pitching staff, they can be back on top in 2023. They can also be a pain in Toronto's side today.
Players to Watch:
Yankees:
2B—Esteban Robles:
It hasn't been the season Robles wanted as he lost his starting job after a brutal May and has only played in half the games on the season. Robles hit .154 in May, with only one home run. He's had at least a .782 OPS in every month since, but he's only played in 39 games the past four months. He's been very good against righties, even with the down May, but his numbers against lefties include a .184 average. That number is well below his career norms, so it's very likely he'll rebound. The question is for whom? Jorge Polanco has done a nice job as the starting second baseman, and doesn’t make a whole lot. Robles is up for arbitration and could command over $20 million dollars. Robles is auditioning for a job these final games of the year.
2B—Mikey White:
White's defense has given him plenty of opportunities to take a job and run with it, but he hasn't been able to produce enough. Despite Robles, Polanco, and Yeison Corredera being on the team, White has racked up 66 starts in 95 games. He's hit .237 with a .322 slugging mark. He's done a decent job against lefties in his career, which helps give him an identity as a defensive replacement who can platoon against lefties. If he plays today, it will likely be as a late-inning defensive sub.
RP—Noah Bremer:
Bremer started eight games for the Yankees earlier this year, but has found better success as a reliever. He has a 5.17 ERA starting games, but a 2.66 mark coming out of the pen. Bremer's not a hard thrower, but he has a devastating curveball he uses as an out pitch, and he keeps the ball in the park. If he can develop his changeup, he could be an enticing starter, but right now only has a swingman's repertoire. His future role, and any big payday, hinges on that changeup.
Blue Jays:
CF—Luis Liberato:
Liberato started 112 games in 2020 and hit nine home runs with a .290 on-base percentage with five steals. He had an even worse OPS in Buffalo in 2021, but he hit .298 with nine steals in 276 plate appearances this year. Liberato is likely only on the big league roster cause he's on the 40-man roster, and he likely won't get in the game unless it's a blowout.
RP—Eduardo Paredes:
Paredes is a serviceable reliever having a serviceable year. He's very vulnerable to the home run, having given up 14 already this year and 18 last year, but he also has an electric curveball. He's fanned 96 hitters in 78.2 innings, and given up only 19 walks. There's a lot of variance to Paredes because one hanging curveball will lead to the pitch being hit 450 feet. However, even in a tight spot against a powerful lineup, Paredes can strike himself out of any jam.
RF—Adam Eaton:
Released by the Orioles last year, Eaton is hitting cleanup on a team likely to make the playoffs. He has nine triples and 12 homers in half a season worth of games, getting on base at a .362 clip. Toronto has moved most of its power hitters to the bottom of its lineup, giving line-drive oriented hitters like Eaton more room at the top of its lineup. That inversion, where the contact hitters bat high up and in the middle and the sluggers bat lower is an interesting concept, but it's one they've made work thanks to good performances from good hitters like Eaton.
TRIVIA: Which player has struck out the most times in a season?
NYY: Jorge Guzman (2-3, 4.68)
TOR: T.J. Zeuch (13-6, 3.44)
The Toronto Blue Jays made the decision to rebuild midway through the 2018 season, netting Collin Wiles, Thomas Szapucki, Yusniel Diaz, Kole Enright, Jake Burger, Logan Warmoth, Eduardo Paredes, and Jahmai Jones to jump start their rebuild. Development isn't linear and some of Toronto's existing prospects didn't prove themselves until the middle of this year, but once they did, the Blue Jays took off. The young core has matured into a group of 26-28 year olds, and it's a core that has led Toronto to have the number three offense and number three run-preventing unit in the game. Toronto is very good at all aspects of the game, pitching, running, fielding, getting on base, and slugging, making them a tough out. They'll send their ace T.J. Zeuch to the mound as Toronto looks to leapfrog Tampa Bay and capture the AL East. They'll take on a New York Yankees team that's out of the playoff hunt after a disappointing start to their season. New York has badly underperformed its run differential, meaning a few breaks early could have left New York fighting for the AL East as well. To the Yankees credit, after being 31-44 in early July, they've surged in the seasond half, going 46-27 since the 31-44 start. If anything, it's shown that the start was a blip and the Yankees should be back next year. They've discovered that Jorge Polanco can do what Esteban Robles has done at a fraction of the price, and that Aaron Judge has finally shown to be a dangerous major league hitter. If New York can rebuild it's pitching staff, they can be back on top in 2023. They can also be a pain in Toronto's side today.
Players to Watch:
Yankees:
2B—Esteban Robles:
It hasn't been the season Robles wanted as he lost his starting job after a brutal May and has only played in half the games on the season. Robles hit .154 in May, with only one home run. He's had at least a .782 OPS in every month since, but he's only played in 39 games the past four months. He's been very good against righties, even with the down May, but his numbers against lefties include a .184 average. That number is well below his career norms, so it's very likely he'll rebound. The question is for whom? Jorge Polanco has done a nice job as the starting second baseman, and doesn’t make a whole lot. Robles is up for arbitration and could command over $20 million dollars. Robles is auditioning for a job these final games of the year.
2B—Mikey White:
White's defense has given him plenty of opportunities to take a job and run with it, but he hasn't been able to produce enough. Despite Robles, Polanco, and Yeison Corredera being on the team, White has racked up 66 starts in 95 games. He's hit .237 with a .322 slugging mark. He's done a decent job against lefties in his career, which helps give him an identity as a defensive replacement who can platoon against lefties. If he plays today, it will likely be as a late-inning defensive sub.
RP—Noah Bremer:
Bremer started eight games for the Yankees earlier this year, but has found better success as a reliever. He has a 5.17 ERA starting games, but a 2.66 mark coming out of the pen. Bremer's not a hard thrower, but he has a devastating curveball he uses as an out pitch, and he keeps the ball in the park. If he can develop his changeup, he could be an enticing starter, but right now only has a swingman's repertoire. His future role, and any big payday, hinges on that changeup.
Blue Jays:
CF—Luis Liberato:
Liberato started 112 games in 2020 and hit nine home runs with a .290 on-base percentage with five steals. He had an even worse OPS in Buffalo in 2021, but he hit .298 with nine steals in 276 plate appearances this year. Liberato is likely only on the big league roster cause he's on the 40-man roster, and he likely won't get in the game unless it's a blowout.
RP—Eduardo Paredes:
Paredes is a serviceable reliever having a serviceable year. He's very vulnerable to the home run, having given up 14 already this year and 18 last year, but he also has an electric curveball. He's fanned 96 hitters in 78.2 innings, and given up only 19 walks. There's a lot of variance to Paredes because one hanging curveball will lead to the pitch being hit 450 feet. However, even in a tight spot against a powerful lineup, Paredes can strike himself out of any jam.
RF—Adam Eaton:
Released by the Orioles last year, Eaton is hitting cleanup on a team likely to make the playoffs. He has nine triples and 12 homers in half a season worth of games, getting on base at a .362 clip. Toronto has moved most of its power hitters to the bottom of its lineup, giving line-drive oriented hitters like Eaton more room at the top of its lineup. That inversion, where the contact hitters bat high up and in the middle and the sluggers bat lower is an interesting concept, but it's one they've made work thanks to good performances from good hitters like Eaton.
TRIVIA: Which player has struck out the most times in a season?
