Coming into the season I forecast that the Jays would get a bottom wildcard spot or just miss the wildcard. Performance this year has been hot and cold (e.g., runs scored per game, quality of starting pitching), and I'm beginning to think things could perhaps go worse for the club this year (e.g., 4th/5th in the AL East and/or trading Vladdy mid-season). Two causes of concern:

Gausman quickly coming back from an injury, having an ERA of almost 12, and a noticeable drop in his velocity. As a two or three pitch starter, small drops in his speed or command might greatly reduce his effectiveness. There are downstream effects on the rest of the pitching staff if the Jays' presumed #1 pitcher in their rotation performs like a #2-4 arm.

There are serious conversations between Vladdy and Edwin Encarnacíon in the dugout during games when we're only 14 games into the season. I think a lot in both Vladdy's and the Jays' future depends on whether Vladdy can return to his 2021 or even 2022 form this year. That Eddie has been brought in this early seems sobering.

Good news is that we're due to receive reinforcements soon: Danny Jansen, Alek Manoah, Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson!

[–] Nevrome@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I do believe they're gonna miss the wildcard by a couple games as well.

I don't perceive the thirst for wins they once had, mainly when Teoscar and Gurriel Jr. were still in TO.

And yes, I do hope the players coming back from injuries give the team an uplift.

[–] streetfestival@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I don’t perceive the thirst for wins they once had, mainly when Teoscar and Gurriel Jr. were still in TO.

I think the players might be aware that the team might not be good enough (offensively) and is on the brink of a rebuild without many ingredients for a promising future; they might have a tough time weathering a cold streak as a result. Looking back it's amazing how much the front office took run production and supporting Vladdy (e.g., protection, friends on the bench, coaching) for granted and how costly that's been

[–] kent_eh@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 months ago

Based on the last couple of seasons, I was expecting Vladdy, Bichette, Davis the mustache, and even Kirk to be putting the ball over the fence a bit more often.