SEATTLE – The base-running outs the Toronto Blue Jays made during a pair of losses against the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend stung, but there’s good reason for them to keep putting on the pressure once they get aboard.
"We have a good offensive club, everyone knows that, and you never want to make outs on the bases, that goes for anybody," says first base coach Tim Leiper, who oversees the team’s base-running. "But sometimes when you go first to third, sometimes when you try to do things, sometimes it’s going to happen. But for me, when you don’t give the threat of being able to run, or don’t put the other team on edge that we may do something, it makes it a lot easier on the pitchers, where they don’t have to slide step, they don’t have to manage the game a little more, something that takes their focus off the hitter. That sometimes can be detrimental because it puts too much pressure on your offence."
Outs at third base Saturday by Devon Travis and Sunday by Edwin Encarnacion trying to advance on groundballs after leadoff doubles killed a couple of rallies. The outs were particularly glaring since the Blue Jays just scored once in both losses, but the bigger culprit was that they went 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position over the two games.
Travis was just barely thrown out at third on a perfect strike from the dazzling Andrelton Simmons.
"Most of the stuff you do is pre-thought out before you do it," said Leiper. "The ball with Devon (on Saturday) night, there’s one shortstop in the game that makes that play and he happened to be on the field. There’s nobody else that even throws that ball to third base. Devon is a great baserunner, he gets dirt-ball reads better than anybody, he goes first to third better than anybody, he’s aware of his surroundings better than anybody. In a time where we had a rough game that’s obviously a pivotal play, he takes a hit for it, I think it’s completely wrong. He’s doing everything he can to get us a run and against 29 other teams that play would have worked. For him to change his game? He doesn’t have to because he’s super aware and super prepared before the ball is even hit."
Statistically, the Blue Jays are a middle of the pack base-running team. They’ve made the seventh-fewest outs on the bases this season at 48, and are fourth in extra bases taken at 149. But they’re second last in stolen bases with 46 and they’re tied for eighth in stolen base percentage at 69 per cent.
Last year they were fourth in the AL with 88 stolen bases, first in percentage at 79 per cent and first in extra bases taken at 183.
"We had the best offence in the world last year but we were great on the bases, we stole bases, we were right in the middle of the pack, we rarely got thrown out, we led the league in stolen base percentage, so we constantly had the threat of something happening," said Leiper. "Even if we weren’t doing anything, the threat was there. People get hung up on the numbers and things like that, but it’s sending the message to teams that you’ll take advantage of things when you allow them to. That’s what we’re trying to do (this year)."
Kevin Pillar led the Blue Jays last year with 25 stolen bases but has just 12 this season, again tops on the club. Jose Reyes had 16 before his trade while Ben Revere added seven once he was added, while a healthy Jose Bautista was able to chip in eight. This year, Melvin Upton Jr., Josh Donaldson and Ezequiel Carrera each have six stolen bases, and no one else has more than three.
Still, the Blue Jays have found ways to be opportunistic on the bases, like they were Saturday when Pillar and Russell Martin each swiped a bag after Ricky Nolasco ignored them.
"We have plenty of guys who can steal but game situations have to dictate that you’re willing to take the risk, as well," said Leiper. "For me, stolen bases are a little overrated but at the same time, when you’re educated, there’s not a lot of risk. When we get thrown out, it’s because we’re taking a chance. There are so many bases you can steal in the course of the game that are there free by doing things naturally and being prepared. But the score of the game dictates that this is not the time to do it or take any risks, and sometimes you have to sit there. It’s the chess game between the two teams. For me, always putting pressure on the pitcher, especially when you’re a team that values offence, is gigantic."