BY LEN NUNES – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
With the help of dictionary.com, we are going to do a quick assessment of the Blue Jays start focused on three key words.
1. Panic: “a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause that produces hysterical or irrational behavior.”
The Blue Jays have an 8-11 record with 143 games remaining. The Jays currently sit 4.5 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox with 16 head-to-head matchups with the Sox left on the schedule. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO PANIC.
2. Excuse: “an explanation offered in defence of some fault or offensive behaviour or as a reason for not fulfilling an obligation.”
Injuries, well that excuse has been shot out of the water by the team that just finished taking two out of three from the Jays.
3. Reason: “a basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event.”
Every Blue Jay starting pitcher has had a poor game (or two) but all have track records suggesting the balls and strikes will sort themselves out sooner than later.
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Here’s a look at the cheers and jeers of the Blue Jays/Yankees series.
THREE CHEERS
1. Mark Buerhle: Did not fall behind 2-0 to any Yankee batter and with some better defence behind him in the fourth and fifth inning of his start, should have won his start.
2. Steve Delabar and Darren Oliver: Delabar rebounded nicely from a rough outing against Chicago to post back-to-back strong appearances versus the Yankees. After a rough first week to the season, Oliver put in two good performances against the Yankees.
3. Melky Cabrera: After being held hitless against the White Sox, Melky rebounded going six for 13 against the Yankees. Fearless prediction, that elusive first home run as a Blue Jay for Cabrera will happen during the Orioles series this week.
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Honourable Mention – I called it!: Back in my column covering the Jays/Royals series, I made the suggestion of trying Kawasaki in the leadoff spot. Sure his infield single and pair of strikeouts doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence but I would not move him out of that spot until the Jays lose a game.
THREE JEERS
1. Defence: While Brett Lawrie has a reason to be struggling at the plate and in the field (WBC injury costing him most of spring training then being fast tracked back into the Blue Jays everyday lineup) the rest of the team turning in spring training like performances on the field is inexcusable.
2. Gregg Zaun quote: Prior to Game 2 of the series in respect to J.P. Arencibia: “He’s going to hit 35 home runs. An out is an out for him; he’s not going to score from first on a double. I don’t care if strikes out 250 times.” Arencibia went four for 12 with two home runs and six strikeouts. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that all or nothing mentality a part of the reason the Blue Jays are near the bottom of the league in scoring?
3. Macier Izturis: One for 12 vs. the Yankees, two for 15 vs. the White Sox. Izturis also already has three errors on the season. Emilio Bonifacio, after finally executing a successful bunt, deserves the next game or two at second base with Izturis coming in as a defensive replacement in the later innings. Yes, I’m that frustrated with Izzy (you should be too) that I’m about-facing on my stance from my previous column suggesting finding a way to DH Bonifacio.
Honourable Mention – the streaky Edwin Encarnacion: From eight of 14 vs. the White Sox to zero for 12 vs. the Yankees. At least the pattern dictates a good series against the Orioles.