How are others thinking about this team? I'm splitting a little because as much as I want the Jays to make the playoffs, I sure wouldn't bet on it. All the talking heads on the Blue Jays/rogers media yesterday were highlighting the upcoming streak of 15 games against sub .500 teams (that started last night), including 4 teams last in their division and 3 teams with the worst pitching in MLB (I think, about that second point). The stated aspiration by Buck Martinez and others was to go 12-3. Personally, I think 10-5 is ambitious. I've reached this point though where I want to de-emphasize prediction of the Jays because it's draining my enjoyment of watching Jays baseball, in addition to the dearth of runs. I also think the players' morale is seriously falling right now.

I hope we see some lineup changes today. Getting out homered by Cleveland this year is such a clear indication that our offence is insufficient. Maybe Springer leading off, Whit sits, Davis Schneider and Cavan Biggio take 2B and 3B as it makes the most sense. I might prefer Belt at 1B and Vladdy DHes. I'm feeling badly for Vladdy, who's slumpiness at the plate seems to be driving his fielding down. I think it might help manage everyone's frustration if Vladdy could be temporarily lowered in the order, to return once he has a good performance, but who'd take his spot? I feel we're approaching a kind of stalemate where our key pieces aren't working and we don't have alternate moves to make, so we keep playing the same hand to the same result, and everyone's getting sick of losing and a feeling of futility. I think trying new things, where possible, to inject some life into this team is the best hope. Ross talking to the media the other day (why?) and saying absolutely nothing but that he has confidence in this team doesn't help with the stalemate feeling