Toronto Blue Jays @ Detroit Tigers, July 24-27

[JaysRule15]

We’re better than the dodgers. This is weird I don’t think I’m processing that they’re actually this good right now. It doesn’t make sense.

While I'm still on the skeptic side, it feels like some kind of lightbulb came on about 2 months ago and they're a different team right now than the one that started the season. It feels less like a lucky streak as our run differential has finally started gradually trending up to reflect the drastic change in this team's play quality. Or it could be like those Orioles teams from last decade where they somehow managed to keep their "luck" in close games going all the way to the end of the season.

Popkins and the hitting staff should get huge props. At the start of the season, the offense felt like more of the same of what it was last year. April was brutal and we were near the bottom of most categories early on. But I feel like the players began buying in to what Popkins and staff were preaching and the results changed gradually. But they've risen up consistently enough where I don't think this is just a hot streak or a fluke.

And the fact that we've done this while missing 3 regulars (Varsho, Gimenez and Santander) for most of the season is even more impressive.

[Randle McMurphy]

FGs still only has this team playing 30-29 ball the rest of the way, so their system still isn’t exactly a believer in this roster as a real contender.

Thing is, that’s still projected to take the division (and be tied for a bye) at 91 wins by two due to the current lead they have.

Honestly, who cares what FanGraphs says? I judge this team based on how they have been performing in recent weeks, and not the "projections" of some computer analysis on what this team will do the rest of the way. You judge them on how they play on the field, and the results have been remarkable which nobody could have predicted.

A fair point but experience would also tell you runs like this don’t last forever (even for truly elite teams). Odds are they’ll go back to earth sooner or later and at least they’ll have some wins in the bank when they do.

[pilkoids]

*wrong thread

[Boogie!]

We’re better than the dodgers. This is weird I don’t think I’m processing that they’re actually this good right now. It doesn’t make sense.

While I'm still on the skeptic side, it feels like some kind of lightbulb came on about 2 months ago and they're a different team right now than the one that started the season. It feels less like a lucky streak as our run differential has finally started gradually trending up to reflect the drastic change in this team's play quality. Or it could be like those Orioles teams from last decade where they somehow managed to keep their "luck" in close games going all the way to the end of the season.

Popkins and the hitting staff should get huge props. At the start of the season, the offense felt like more of the same of what it was last year. April was brutal and we were near the bottom of most categories early on. But I feel like the players began buying in to what Popkins and staff were preaching and the results changed gradually. But they've risen up consistently enough where I don't think this is just a hot streak or a fluke.

And the fact that we've done this while missing 3 regulars (Varsho, Gimenez and Santander) for most of the season is even more impressive.

Honestly the offense turned around when we weren’t forced to play gimenez and santander… barger, clement, lukes, etc all stepped up.

[Natural11]

While I'm still on the skeptic side, it feels like some kind of lightbulb came on about 2 months ago and they're a different team right now than the one that started the season. It feels less like a lucky streak as our run differential has finally started gradually trending up to reflect the drastic change in this team's play quality. Or it could be like those Orioles teams from last decade where they somehow managed to keep their "luck" in close games going all the way to the end of the season.

Popkins and the hitting staff should get huge props. At the start of the season, the offense felt like more of the same of what it was last year. April was brutal and we were near the bottom of most categories early on. But I feel like the players began buying in to what Popkins and staff were preaching and the results changed gradually. But they've risen up consistently enough where I don't think this is just a hot streak or a fluke.

And the fact that we've done this while missing 3 regulars (Varsho, Gimenez and Santander) for most of the season is even more impressive.

Honestly the offense turned around when we weren’t forced to play gimenez and santander… barger, clement, lukes, etc all stepped up.

Gotta include Varsho in that list. You can get away with having one poor hitter in the lineup, I mean we're winning games with Myles Straw. But having those 3 in the lineup playing the way they were, it was impossible to put a rally together. Most games lately we're rocking a lineup that's 7+ deep with .270+ averages and still taking a lot of walks. Much easier to get **** done with men on base.

[WuTang_OG]

I don't think we need a hitter tbh

I rather spend the assets on a front line starter like Dylan and get more bullpen help. That should be the focus. Ross needs to be aggressive.

This team is playing way above their potential and its working with their contact approach, high OBP% and low strikeout rate. I wouldn't mess with that. It's working and it will translate to playoffs.

[Randle McMurphy]

I don't think we need a hitter tbh

I rather spend the assets on a front line starter like Dylan and get more bullpen help. That should be the focus. Ross needs to be aggressive.

This team is playing way above their potential and its working with their contact approach, high OBP% and low strikeout rate. I wouldn't mess with that. It's working and it will translate to playoffs.

Can’t have Myles Straw actually starting games against LHP with his numbers especially with the team about to shortly become far more LHB oriented. Still need a RHB, even a low cost league average platoon bat.

[WuTang_OG]

I don't think we need a hitter tbh

I rather spend the assets on a front line starter like Dylan and get more bullpen help. That should be the focus. Ross needs to be aggressive.

This team is playing way above their potential and its working with their contact approach, high OBP% and low strikeout rate. I wouldn't mess with that. It's working and it will translate to playoffs.

Can’t have Myles Straw actually starting games against LHP with his numbers especially with the team about to shortly become far more LHB oriented. Still need a RHB, even a low cost league average platoon bat.

Im talking big time hitter to spend assets on. I don't think we go that route.

[Randle McMurphy]

I don't think we need a hitter tbh

I rather spend the assets on a front line starter like Dylan and get more bullpen help. That should be the focus. Ross needs to be aggressive.

This team is playing way above their potential and its working with their contact approach, high OBP% and low strikeout rate. I wouldn't mess with that. It's working and it will translate to playoffs.

Can’t have Myles Straw actually starting games against LHP with his numbers especially with the team about to shortly become far more LHB oriented. Still need a RHB, even a low cost league average platoon bat.

Im talking big time hitter to spend assets on. I don't think we go that route.

Agreed. I don’t think we will be going after Suarez or anything like that.

The main assets we have to trade should be used on the pen or if a difference maker SP is available.

[Randle McMurphy]

Read on Twitter

He has to take off 3 days for that?

[-MetA4-]

Honestly the offense turned around when we weren’t forced to play gimenez and santander… barger, clement, lukes, etc all stepped up.

This is a such a nonsense take that isn't supported by any actual proof. Almost all of the bats were very cold at the start of the season, including the guys you just named (Clement, Lukes, Barger), but also guys like Kirk who didn't actually start hitting until May.

Here is your actual picture of the Blue Jays offense: they became very good starting around ~May 1st, which is when the team "turned it around" (since May 1st they have the best record in the league).

If you look at the individual hitter stats from the start of the season till April 30th, you see the following:

Clement: .239/.276/.282 - 56 wRC+
Kirk: .239/.269/.341 - 68 wRC+
Lukes: .222/.326/.333 - 89 wRC+
Wagner: .186/.284/.220 - 49 wRC+
Barger: .185/.214/.296 - 37 wRC+ (small sample)
Schneider: .067/.333/.067 - 50 wRC+ (small sample)
Guerrero: .268/.362/.402 - 116 wRC+
Bichette: .295/.328/.364 - 93 wRC+

The only regular who was actually hitting in that time-frame was Springer:

Springer: .306/.406/.482 - 148 wRC+

During that time-frame, Gimenez and Santander posted the following:

Gimenez: .165/.258/.284 - 55 wRC+
Santander: .175/.258/.316 - 61 wRC+

So yes, they were both absolutely sucking with the bat as well, but the idea that the entire offense was being dragged down by these two alone is complete nonsense. The reality is that almost NO ONE was hitting from the start of the season in March to April 30th, and that includes not only Bichette (93 wRC+), Kirk (68 wRC+), and Guerrero (116 wRC+), but also the guys who would have replaced Gimenez/Santander in the lineup had they not theoretically been on the team (Clement, Lukes, Schneider, Wagner, Barger).

It is incredibly insincere to try to suggest that guys like Barger, Clement, Kirk, etc. were performing as you currently see them when Santander/Gimenez were struggling, and therefore it was just those two bad hitters ruining the party for everyone else.

[JaysRule15]

Gimenez actually had a decent start with the bat too, then went on a huge slump. Then ran into injury trouble. He was starting to turn things around with the bat before this recent injury too.

Santander unfortunately just never got it going. Idk if he was playing hurt and something was off, but he just never looked comfortable. And the fact that he's been out so long kinda indicates that his injury was a lot more serious than it seemed.

[Michael Bradley]

Gimenez was underperforming his xwOBA significantly for practically the entire time he was healthy. In his last 91 plate appearances (24 games), he had a 104 wRC+ and 0.6 WAR, so his luck was starting to turn around before he got hurt again. Santander was hurt, everyone knew he was hurt, but they let him keep playing anyway. Probably made the injury worse. I think 2025 will be a wash for him.

Either way, as was mentioned, everyone except Springer was struggling in April/early May. The Jays are a better team if Gimenez and Santander are healthy.

[Randle McMurphy]

Wagner in the lineup, Simmons lied.

[WuTang_OG]

Read on Twitter

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[bluerap23]

Popkins and the hitting staff should get huge props. At the start of the season, the offense felt like more of the same of what it was last year. April was brutal and we were near the bottom of most categories early on. But I feel like the players began buying in to what Popkins and staff were preaching and the results changed gradually. But they've risen up consistently enough where I don't think this is just a hot streak or a fluke.

And the fact that we've done this while missing 3 regulars (Varsho, Gimenez and Santander) for most of the season is even more impressive.

Honestly the offense turned around when we weren’t forced to play gimenez and santander… barger, clement, lukes, etc all stepped up.

Gotta include Varsho in that list. You can get away with having one poor hitter in the lineup, I mean we're winning games with Myles Straw. But having those 3 in the lineup playing the way they were, it was impossible to put a rally together. Most games lately we're rocking a lineup that's 7+ deep with .270+ averages and still taking a lot of walks. Much easier to get **** done with men on base.

This lineup could still use Santander, but there is definitely an argument that the offence is better without Giminez and Varsho. I maintain that the Giminez trade was one of the worst trades this FO has made and I've generally been happy with their trading track record (my issue is with their drafting and development).

[JaysRule15]

Gimenez was brought in as insurance for Bo. Bo was terrible last season and missed a bunch of games. He was no sure bet heading into this season and was a pending FA too. Gimenez was an elite glove with some offensive track record who could slide in and take shortstop if needed. That might still happen this offseason if they let Bo walk (which they should if he asks for some crazy sum).

[bluerap23]

Gimenez was brought in as insurance for Bo. Bo was terrible last season and missed a bunch of games. He was no sure bet heading into this season and was a pending FA too. Gimenez was an elite glove with some offensive track record who could slide in and take shortstop if needed. That might still happen this offseason if they let Bo walk (which they should if he asks for some crazy sum).

Would way rather pay Bo than Giminez. Obv he will make more but at least he will provide offence. Would way rather have Clement as insurance. Way cheaper than Giminez. I guess the main thing is they didn't know Barger would break out. No way they do that trade if Barger broke out last year.

[Mehar]

FGs still only has this team playing 30-29 ball the rest of the way, so their system still isn’t exactly a believer in this roster as a real contender.

Thing is, that’s still projected to take the division (and be tied for a bye) at 91 wins by two due to the current lead they have.

Honestly, who cares what FanGraphs says? I judge this team based on how they have been performing in recent weeks, and not the "projections" of some computer analysis on what this team will do the rest of the way. You judge them on how they play on the field, and the results have been remarkable which nobody could have predicted.

A fair point but experience would also tell you runs like this don’t last forever (even for truly elite teams). Odds are they’ll go back to earth sooner or later and at least they’ll have some wins in the bank when they do.

It is easy to play the "What If Game"? However, what if the Jays continue to play at an elite level the rest of the way, and not 30-29 like how FanGraphs says? Back in 2015, I thought eventually the luck would run out of the Kansas City Royals who were playing above their heads. I thought on paper the Jays were going to beat them in the ALCS and go to the World Series. It did not happen unfortunately for us, and the Royals won the World Series. There is a thing called "Chemistry" and this team is showing it. Reminding me so much of the 2015 Royals. I am a believer in this team now. If it ain't broke, do not fix it. I will continue rolling with these same group of guys the rest of the year.

These guys who have played so well to make it the best team in the AL. Whatever happens, happens at the end. At the trade deadline, I would just rather trade some of your guys in Buffalo like Clase, Roden, Martinez, Leo Jimenez, etc, to get whatever upgrade in the bullpen you can get. I am considering Sandlin and Garcia as my trade deadline acquisitions also, along with Gimenez. If they want to sign a Right Handed bat for the bench, just go get a guy like J.D. Martinez who is looking to come back still and play the rest of the eyar. He is not the elite slugger he was in the past, but he can still hit for power. I am not going to trade Nimmala or Yesavage for some rental who might or might not make a difference in the end. I am now in the believer in sticking with what I got, and not changing the chemistry of this team which has resulted in their elite record the past month. No reason why this team cannot duplicate what the Royals did 10 years ago, and go to the World Series and be another team of destiny.

[Chris7711]

First place in all of baseball on the line, with Milwaukee losing..go jays