Post by Commissioner Erick on Feb 20, 2021 13:41:28 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays (44-34) @ Milwaukee Brewers (56-20)
TOR: German Marquez (5-9, 6.75)
MIL: David Meeks (0-1, 5.40)
The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t get off to a great start as it took some time for them to come together following their 2024 championship. They were a losing team before their game against the AL West leading Seattle Mariners on June 10. Since then, the team has won 11-1, roaring within three games of the AL East lead.
They’ll take on a team that has followed a similar game plan to Toronto’s from a few seasons ago and now has the best record in the National League. Like Toronto, they’re on a nice run taking nine in a row.
The two hottest teams in baseball will square off with the defending champion Blue Jays facing the National League’s best Milwaukee Brewers for the Game of the Week.
Toronto’s streak has been built by players who weren’t producing earlier in the year. Jake Burger had a separated shoulder earlier in the year and wasn’t able to help his team. Outside of the first two games of the year, his season didn’t start until March 9. He produced in May, but has really taken his game up a notch the past two weeks. His 1.038 OPS since June 10 is 14th in the AL over that time as he’s hitting .362 during that period. Having his presence in the lineup has given the team another dangerous hitter.
While Burger’s been hitting for a high average, Gary Sanchez has overcome his nightmare start and has produced at an MVP clip the past two weeks. His 1.314 OPS is second in the league since June 10. He has five Home Runs, 10 RBIs, 11 Runs scored, and a .389 Average. Mike Leitao has mixed in some days off and a more fresh Sanchez is giving him the production Leitao expected when he signed him.
Kole Enright has also had a huge two weeks. He also has an OPS over 1.000, four Home Runs, and nine Runs scored during their 11-1 stretch. Enright was hitting .201 on May 10, and his shaking off his early funk has given Toronto’s bat yet another quality hitter.
This has allowed there to be more people on base for the players who have produced all season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was slugging in April, and he’s slugging now. He has five home runs the past two weeks to give him 27 on the season, fifth in the league. He’s up to second now in RBIs and is one of the most fearsome players in baseball.
Toronto will face a dominant Milwaukee team that has consistently improved the past few years. The Brewers have a versatile offense, and a deep staff—but they’re underrated in that they feature the league’s top bullpen. Edwin Diaz is on track for a seventh All-Star nod as he’s tied for second in Saves with 18 to go along with a 2.43 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Diaz was last year’s Reliever of the Year, and he’s having another stellar year.
He’s being set up by Sean Newcomb, 2023’s NL Reliever of the Year. Newcomb may be the most dominant reliever in the NL this year. He’s allowed only one run in 42.2 innings, good for a 0.30 ERA. He’s 3-0 with six Saves and 62 strikeouts. Since settling in as a reliever in 2022 Newcomb has found his groove as a pitcher and has a 2.19 ERA over that time. He may win a second Reliever of the Year award despite little national publicity.
In the past Mitch Cavanagh was mostly known for starting games and beaning people, but he’s been very good as a reliever. He has a 2.98 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Cavanagh still has the repertoire to start, but with Milwaukee featuring a deep staff and Cavanagh having success, this may be his new role going forward.
Milwaukee has so many young and talented players that they’ve mixed and matched and moved guys around. Former starters Griffin Helms and Noah Campbell have found their way to Triple-A, as has Rodolfo Rodriguez. Will Dulihanty has debuted midseason as Guillermo Aviles has been bounced around from starter to backup. It’s an envious position for most teams to have so much depth though. No matter the game state or whether an injury comes up, Toronto can be prepared to face a quality player batting at nearly every situation in the game.
With Milwaukee’s depth and bullpen talent facing Toronto’s red-hot offense, this is a fascinating matchup that can go any way.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Leitao, Eric Drouet has battled knee soreness the past couple of weeks. It hasn’t hurt his performance much. Will he continue to play through the injury today?
How do you feel about Sanchez’ huge June?
German Marquez is facing his old team since the first time since the trade. He’s really struggled for you this year though. How much do you need to see him have a strong start?
For Luke Grimmelbein, David Meeks is getting the ball today. Why him and not moving a reliever up like Cavanagh, or a starter who pitched earlier like scruffy Andexler?
Mike Perches is a rookie outfielder with 22 Home Runs, a .296 Average, and a 1.008 OPS. Those are terrific numbers for any player, let alone a rookie. How do you feel he stacks up with a strong crop of NL Rookie outfielders?
Garrett Mitchell was an All-Star in 2023 and spent parts of this year in the minors. What role do you envision him playing over the second half of this year?
TRIVIA: David Meeks is the first pitcher from Clemson University to make it to the PBA. Which outfield All-Star candidate, who debuted last year, has the most Hits, Home runs, and RBIs to come out of Clemson University?
TOR: German Marquez (5-9, 6.75)
MIL: David Meeks (0-1, 5.40)
The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t get off to a great start as it took some time for them to come together following their 2024 championship. They were a losing team before their game against the AL West leading Seattle Mariners on June 10. Since then, the team has won 11-1, roaring within three games of the AL East lead.
They’ll take on a team that has followed a similar game plan to Toronto’s from a few seasons ago and now has the best record in the National League. Like Toronto, they’re on a nice run taking nine in a row.
The two hottest teams in baseball will square off with the defending champion Blue Jays facing the National League’s best Milwaukee Brewers for the Game of the Week.
Toronto’s streak has been built by players who weren’t producing earlier in the year. Jake Burger had a separated shoulder earlier in the year and wasn’t able to help his team. Outside of the first two games of the year, his season didn’t start until March 9. He produced in May, but has really taken his game up a notch the past two weeks. His 1.038 OPS since June 10 is 14th in the AL over that time as he’s hitting .362 during that period. Having his presence in the lineup has given the team another dangerous hitter.
While Burger’s been hitting for a high average, Gary Sanchez has overcome his nightmare start and has produced at an MVP clip the past two weeks. His 1.314 OPS is second in the league since June 10. He has five Home Runs, 10 RBIs, 11 Runs scored, and a .389 Average. Mike Leitao has mixed in some days off and a more fresh Sanchez is giving him the production Leitao expected when he signed him.
Kole Enright has also had a huge two weeks. He also has an OPS over 1.000, four Home Runs, and nine Runs scored during their 11-1 stretch. Enright was hitting .201 on May 10, and his shaking off his early funk has given Toronto’s bat yet another quality hitter.
This has allowed there to be more people on base for the players who have produced all season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was slugging in April, and he’s slugging now. He has five home runs the past two weeks to give him 27 on the season, fifth in the league. He’s up to second now in RBIs and is one of the most fearsome players in baseball.
Toronto will face a dominant Milwaukee team that has consistently improved the past few years. The Brewers have a versatile offense, and a deep staff—but they’re underrated in that they feature the league’s top bullpen. Edwin Diaz is on track for a seventh All-Star nod as he’s tied for second in Saves with 18 to go along with a 2.43 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Diaz was last year’s Reliever of the Year, and he’s having another stellar year.
He’s being set up by Sean Newcomb, 2023’s NL Reliever of the Year. Newcomb may be the most dominant reliever in the NL this year. He’s allowed only one run in 42.2 innings, good for a 0.30 ERA. He’s 3-0 with six Saves and 62 strikeouts. Since settling in as a reliever in 2022 Newcomb has found his groove as a pitcher and has a 2.19 ERA over that time. He may win a second Reliever of the Year award despite little national publicity.
In the past Mitch Cavanagh was mostly known for starting games and beaning people, but he’s been very good as a reliever. He has a 2.98 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Cavanagh still has the repertoire to start, but with Milwaukee featuring a deep staff and Cavanagh having success, this may be his new role going forward.
Milwaukee has so many young and talented players that they’ve mixed and matched and moved guys around. Former starters Griffin Helms and Noah Campbell have found their way to Triple-A, as has Rodolfo Rodriguez. Will Dulihanty has debuted midseason as Guillermo Aviles has been bounced around from starter to backup. It’s an envious position for most teams to have so much depth though. No matter the game state or whether an injury comes up, Toronto can be prepared to face a quality player batting at nearly every situation in the game.
With Milwaukee’s depth and bullpen talent facing Toronto’s red-hot offense, this is a fascinating matchup that can go any way.
Questions for the GMs:
For Mike Leitao, Eric Drouet has battled knee soreness the past couple of weeks. It hasn’t hurt his performance much. Will he continue to play through the injury today?
How do you feel about Sanchez’ huge June?
German Marquez is facing his old team since the first time since the trade. He’s really struggled for you this year though. How much do you need to see him have a strong start?
For Luke Grimmelbein, David Meeks is getting the ball today. Why him and not moving a reliever up like Cavanagh, or a starter who pitched earlier like scruffy Andexler?
Mike Perches is a rookie outfielder with 22 Home Runs, a .296 Average, and a 1.008 OPS. Those are terrific numbers for any player, let alone a rookie. How do you feel he stacks up with a strong crop of NL Rookie outfielders?
Garrett Mitchell was an All-Star in 2023 and spent parts of this year in the minors. What role do you envision him playing over the second half of this year?
TRIVIA: David Meeks is the first pitcher from Clemson University to make it to the PBA. Which outfield All-Star candidate, who debuted last year, has the most Hits, Home runs, and RBIs to come out of Clemson University?
