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There wasn't a game thread, so now there is.

Solid 5-2 win for the Jays. The Royals couldn't contain the beast known as Barney. Another W for Stroman.

And there was this....

Stro is pissed he couldn't get into the Cactus Club Cafe after the game. For those not from Toronto, it's right next to what used to be Trump Toronto and a block east of Drake's restaurant - in the heart of the financial district.

Centre Court wrote:Stro is pissed he couldn't get into the Cactus Club Cafe after the game. For those not from Toronto, it's right next to what used to be Trump Toronto and a block east of Drake's restaurant - in the heart of the financial district.

Read on Twitter

Should all restaurants in the GTA reserve a table on Stroman's game nights, just in case?

Without context, it comes across a bit douchey to give negative publicity like that. If he had a reservation they did not honour, or denied him entry because they didn't like the look of him, I get it. Odds are he did not have a reservation and they were full.

It can't be snobbery. I went to the CCC looking like a hobo earlier this summer and they still let me in. The food is average anyway.

So... Brett Anderson may not be the answer

Damn, even Ramirez is allowing runs. There goes his full season without an ER.

Natural11 wrote:

Centre Court wrote:Stro is pissed he couldn't get into the Cactus Club Cafe after the game. For those not from Toronto, it's right next to what used to be Trump Toronto and a block east of Drake's restaurant - in the heart of the financial district.

Read on Twitter

Should all restaurants in the GTA reserve a table on Stroman's game nights, just in case?

Without context, it comes across a bit douchey to give negative publicity like that. If he had a reservation they did not honour, or denied him entry because they didn't like the look of him, I get it. Odds are he did not have a reservation and they were full.

according to the twitter comments, he had a reservation. but who knows really.

The Sun reported that Stroman had a reservation, but so some reason the rent-a-cop bouncer denied him entry. Even though he goes there often. The Cactus Club apologized and I would guess the bouncer got bounced.

BTW, final score last night was 15-5. Anderson gave up 8 runs in a little over one inning.

Number of times the Jays have scored 10+ runs in a game this season: 5.
Number of times the Jays have surrendered 10+ runs in a game this season: 17.

Of the 15 players with 75+ PAs this season, only three -- Smoak, Donaldson and Carrera - are above league-average in wRC+. It's four out of the 19 with 50+ PAs, with Raffy Lopez joining the above.

We're really, really bad at scoring runs. It's still remarkable that we've gone from (by far) the best position players in baseball to the worst in the American League, and among the bottom two or three MLB wide, in just two seasons.

Jays lose 1-0. Jose ends it on a pop out.

The tank picked up a little steam against KC. You're welcome.

That's impressive. Not that he struck out 160 times, but that our record was only 159...there will be 15-20 players this season alone to exceed that, and 159 Ks doesn't even crack the top 150 all-time. Does make you appreciate the contact skills of our sluggers in recent seasons.

Previous record holder was apparently Jose Canseco. Also means that we were probably the only team in baseball whose single-season strikeout record happened in the 1990s. The top 25 all-time in the category, after this year, will likely be from 2004-on.

I'm just not seeing how this core of players has any shot at being competitive in 2018. The front office has their work cut out for them this off-season.

Natural11 wrote:I'm just not seeing how this core of players has any shot at being competitive in 2018. The front office has their work cut out for them this off-season.

It's not going to be easy, but I do think this team might have the potential to at least be in the race till September next season.

- Decent rotation (if Sanchez gets back healthy next year). I'm not sold on Biagini or Brett Anderson as the 5th starter though, would prefer getting someone else. But with a healthy Sanchez, a top four of Stro, Happ, Sanchez and Estrada is pretty solid.

- Decent bullpen. Lots of young arms with good stuff. Osuna had a tough second half with all those blown saves. I don't know why he was constantly dealing with fluctuating velo this season, but hopefully it's something they figure out this offseason.

Offense will be the biggest factor. We need Travis healthy for at least 70% of the season. Need Tulo to not be a -WAR player. Need upgrades for RF and LF. Ideally could need an upgrade at C but probably not possible to move Martin. Probably stuck with a non-contributor like Morales as well.

Counting on some of the guys like Alford, Jansen, McGuire, Hernandez, Urena, Pompey, Smith Jr., Tellez to contribute next season and hold it down until the next wave of prospects hits.

We don't just need some contributions offensively, though. Because our defense will likely be mediocre at best, and the AL East is what it is, we probably need above-average offense to compete.

We're more than 80 runs below average. Just getting to average would take, as an example, replacing Morales with Jose Abreu, and Bautista with someone like Josh Reddick or Domingo Santana. In short, we need to replace some of our worst hitters with a couple well-above-average verging on very good offensive players, because at most we're looking at two of them (and Smoak has been somewhat ordinary over the past couple months). The only two on the roster who could conceivably fit the bill are Travis -- if healthy -- and Pearce (debatable), because whatever other positive qualities Martin and Tulo have, neither have been particularly good hitters in recent years relative to the league as a whole.

Schad wrote:We don't just need some contributions offensively, though. Because our defense will likely be mediocre at best, and the AL East is what it is, we probably need above-average offense to compete.

We're more than 80 runs below average. Just getting to average would take, as an example, replacing Morales with Jose Abreu, and Bautista with someone like Josh Reddick or Domingo Santana. In short, we need to replace some of our worst hitters with a couple well-above-average verging on very good offensive players, because at most we're looking at two of them (and Smoak has been somewhat ordinary over the past couple months). The only two on the roster who could conceivably fit the bill are Travis -- if healthy -- and Pearce (debatable), because whatever other positive qualities Martin and Tulo have, neither have been particularly good hitters in recent years relative to the league as a whole.

Yeah, I just can't see this offense with this lineup core being a strength for this team. At best we may be able to muster a 7-10th ranked offense if some of the cards fall our way (Travis stays healthy, Pearce/RF/LF become contributors, Smoak doesn't regress). Because, like you said, we're likely carrying three below average bats in Martin, Morales and Tulo next season who will likely put up 0-1 oWAR each.

I can't see this management group throwing big money to land a bat in FA. Also can't see them trading any blue chip prospects for a good veteran bat. So not sure how else we achieve an upgrade aside from hoping a guy like Alford becomes the next big thing. Unless they're planning on rushing up a guy like Vlad?

The pitching staff *should* be good and will have to carry them. Plus a few of the youngsters will have to perform. Health of our stars will be paramount. Outfield defense *should* be much improved. We'll need key acquisitions - not all the improvement can come from within.

Overall, it looks like a stretch - they'll have to get lucky.

Goins loves his bases loaded.