The Toronto Blue Jays were out-played by a last-place team this week, losing two of three to the Los Angeles Angels at home. It’ll go down as a missed opportunity for the Blue Jays, who remain tied with the Boston Red Sox for the AL East lead.
Here’s what stood out from the three games in Toronto…
In lockstep
If it weren’t for an assist from Tampa Bay, this week could have been worse for the Blue Jays. The Rays won the final two games of their series against the Red Sox, preserving a tie in the standings. In Washington, the Nationals beat the Orioles, who remain 1.0 game back of the division lead (yep, it’s scoreboard watching season for fans and players alike).
Trout… and Pujols
Greatness reveals itself gradually in baseball, and even the best can disappoint for three or four games at a time.
This week, though, the game’s best all-around player played some of his best baseball. Mike Trout went one for three with a walk and a stolen base Tuesday, and he only got better from there. On Wednesday he picked up three hits, including a homer, and on Thursday he went three for four with four RBI.
He’s now hitting .316 with 24 home runs, a .432 on-base percentage and more wins above replacement than any other player.
Meanwhile, Albert Pujols picked up six hits in the series, including his 584th career home run, a solo shot that ushered him past Mark McGwire for tenth place on MLB’s all-time home run list. Pujols, who now has 24 home runs and 100 RBI on the season, creates a powerful pairing with Trout.
“One’s going to the Hall of Fame, the other eventually probably will (too),” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
Or as J.A. Happ put it, “two of the best hitters in the game.’
Travis sidelined
Devon Travis missed the entire series after injuring a knuckle on his throwing hand. The Blue Jays are hopeful that the second baseman will be healthy enough to return for the upcoming series against the Minnesota Twins.
If not, the Blue Jays can comfortably rely on Darwin Barney, who had three hits and three walks against Los Angeles.
Outfielders return
After a couple weeks of mixing and matching in the outfield, the Blue Jays got two key players back against Los Angeles. Kevin Pillar returned from the disabled list Tuesday and Jose Bautista followed two days later.
Pillar’s return bolsters the Blue Jays’ defence in a big way, while Bautista’s bat lengthens the team’s lineup. Gibbons says the Jays expect to DH Bautista regularly, but the 35-year-old doesn’t seem to mind. His message to reporters Thursday was clear: Individual numbers are secondary to team success during the push for the playoffs.
“We’re in first place, we’re trying to grab a hold of that and not let go,” he said. “My stats don’t mean a thing if we lose.”
Blue Jays bats cool down
The Blue Jays scored just 12 runs in the three games against the Angels, missing chances against beatable pitching.
Jered Weaver, who strikes out just one batter for every two innings he pitches, somehow shut the Blue Jays down Thursday. Weaver’s had a great career, but, as his 5.31 ERA suggests, he’s no longer a great pitcher. That’s the kind of opponent Jays hitters have done damage against in the past.
“There’s no doubt we’ve cooled off [offensively],” Gibbons said. “That’s due to change — it always does.”
