NFL
By: Greg Rector
The 2021 Toronto/Dunedin/Buffalo Blue Jays, yes thanks to the pandemic another Toronto based sports team is playing for the second straight season away from their usual home digs. The Blue Jays are calling Buffalo home. Basically like the Raptors they are a road team every day. This might end before the season does and the Blue Jays could actually be back at Rogers Center this season. The Jays are currently 30-27 and in third place in the AL East 6 games back of the division-leading Tampa Rays and 5 behind the second-place Red Sox.
THE OFFENSE:
The Blue Jays have been a fairly consistent lineup so far. They are though a still young roster and with that comes the inevitable droughts where the hits are scarce from 1 thru 9 in the batting order. Considering that the $160 million man and biggest free-agent signing in franchise history George Springer has only appeared in 4 games (A LAT strain and 2 Quad strains) this lineup though has had some explosive games as well. The clear leader of the offense is the much more physically fit Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Far different from his five-tool father, Vladdy shed 42 lbs in the off-season and is in tremendous shape. This has led to a stellar 18 HR’s 47 RBI’s and a .333 BA currently. He is not the bad ball hitter that his father was, far more disciplined at what pitches he swings at than his Hall of Fame father ever was. The other major piece of the Jays offense has been the guy by virtue of Springer’s absence has become the Jays leadoff hitter Marcus Semien, who is hitting .294 with 13 HR’s and 33 RBI’s. When Springer returns and that is an unknown right now as there isn’t any word on a rehab assignment, he will likely be moved down the order to give Guerrero Jr, protection in the batting order. Bo Bichette has been reliable, however, Calvin Biggio currently on a rehab assignment has been missed. This is a young lineup but with three second-generation players, they can certainly cause headaches for opposing pitching staffs.
PITCHING :
Hyun Jin Ryu, as he was last year is the number one starter for the Jays and he’s gone 5-3 with an ERA of 3.23 very solid thus far. Another former Dodger in Ross Stripling is 2-3 so far and has dealt with injuries. This is the concern for the Jays as it is with so many teams. Highly touted Nate Pearson the 10th ranked prospect in all of MLB is in Triple-A now after dealing a shoulder impingement and he may stay there for a while. Lefty Robbie Ray is 3-2 and has a very strong arm for a left-handed pitcher. The bullpen has been led by closer Jordan Romano with 10 saves. They have been decent when needed.
BUYERS OR SELLERS :
With the July 30th trade deadline coming the Jays position in the AL East will determine if they buy or sell at the deadline. So far they have played quite well versus the New York Yankees, as they always seem to do, however, both Boston and Tampa have beaten up on the Jays. They’ll need to improve against those two teams and if they do I would say they go out to get pitching. Rosters like the Rockies and the Cubs who are struggling in their divisions will be targeted by everyone so the Jays might be better off going after a Jake Arrieta earlier rather than waiting for the actual deadline to arrive. The Jays organization has depth within the minor league system to make a deal or two. They could certainly use veteran arms in the rotation and the bullpen if they want to go further than just making the playoffs as they did last year. Getting Springer back will also be the determining factor as to what happens. The lineup should be even scarier with his presence and Blue Jays fans are anxious to see it happen.
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As always you can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
