We're away on the home stretch! Jays (87-62) @ Rays (73-76) September 15-18

[Parataxis]

With the Jays sweeping the Orioles, their playoff (and division champs) odds keep increasing as the other teams start running out of time to make a move - the clock is ticking. But nobody cares about that right now - everybody wants to see how Yesavage does. Not just making his Show debut, but doing it as a starter. We're back up to a six man rotation, although I suspect that Lauer is going to be kept warm in case Trey falters.

Will he? Won't he? LETS FIND OUT.

********************
Probable Pitchers
***********************
September 15, 7:35 PM

Trey Yesavage (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 SO)


vs

Joe Boyle (1-3, 5.40 ERA, 39 SO)



***

September 16, 7:35 PM

Jose Berrios (9-5, 3.99 ERA, 135 SO)


vs

Ryan Pepiot (11-10, 3.59 ERA, 161 SO)



***

September 17, 7:35 PM

Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.44 ERA, 171 SO)


vs

Ian Seymour (butts) (3-2, 3.16 ERA, 52 SO)



***

Chris Bassitt (11-8, 3.90 ERA, 163 SO)


vs

Shane Baz (9-12, 5.15 ERA, 169 SO)


***********************

We've traditionally had issues with any iteration of the Rays, but hopefully we can overcome that. Gausman, if he does well over his last few starts, still has a chance at 200IP and 200Ks, either of which would be fantastic.

Lets go Blue Jays!

[Raps in 4]

We just did the impossible by sweeping the Orioles. But now comes the real test. The Rays have owned our souls for as long as I can remember. In my headcanon, we've never swept them. Let's do it now.

[Randle McMurphy]

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Looks like IKF confirmed what was already suspected (that Bichette won’t be back any time soon/by the start of the playoffs). Increases the need for Santander get back and be productive even more.

[polo007]

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[GoRapstheoriginal]

GO BLUE JAYS GO! WE GOT THIS! LETS GO BLUE JAYS! ! ! !

[Madvillainy2004]

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Looks like IKF confirmed what was already suspected (that Bichette won’t be back any time soon/by the start of the playoffs). Increases the need for Santander get back and be productive even more.

Gonna hope IKF just misspoke or something but man what a terribly unlucky play that was. On the bright side if there was a guy this team could get around injury wise it is Bichette. Our infield defense is probably the best depth wise in the entire MLB with IKF, Gimenez, Davis, and Clement. And short term having elite defense in SS might make up for what we lose with Bos bat especially if Tony is healthy.

Im curious to how the DH role is gonna go with Springer and Santander. Gonna assume Springer is gonna play the field but both looked pretty awful out in RF from what ive seen.

[Randle McMurphy]

Read on Twitter

Looks like IKF confirmed what was already suspected (that Bichette won’t be back any time soon/by the start of the playoffs). Increases the need for Santander get back and be productive even more.

Gonna hope IKF just misspoke or something but man what a terribly unlucky play that was. On the bright side if there was a guy this team could get around injury wise it is Bichette. Our infield defense is probably the best depth wise in the entire MLB with IKF, Gimenez, Davis, and Clement. And short term having elite defense in SS might make up for what we lose with Bos bat especially if Tony is healthy.

Im curious to how the DH role is gonna go with Springer and Santander. Gonna assume Springer is gonna play the field but both looked pretty awful out in RF from what ive seen.

I don't think they take the step of having Gimenez shift positions this late in the season unless Bichette's injury was significant, so I think IKF's words add up to the likely outcome (that Bichette is probably done for the year barring some kind of late postseason run).

I will say I feel much more comfortable that we won't be blowing games due to our defense now in the playoffs (although I can't say that entirely due to whatever Springer/Santander or Vlad might do). The problem is that this team's offense is far weaker without him and now below that of some other contenders (NYY, PHI, LAD). We're gonna be relying on some hitters to play or continuing playing well above their heads. Which, well, it sometimes that happens in October. Elite talent wins most often in the playoffs, though, and there's no question Bichette is that from an offensive perspective.

[Boogie!]

People are worried about the defense I’m gonna miss the clutch bat. He’s leading the team in rbi for a reason.

[Randle McMurphy]

People are worried about the defense I’m gonna miss the clutch bat. He’s leading the team in rbi for a reason.

It's an issue, no doubt. This team is probably gonna have trouble scoring against good pitching. You just hope some of that is made up by not making a huge back breaking error at the wrong time.

[Madvillainy2004]

Read on Twitter

Looks like IKF confirmed what was already suspected (that Bichette won’t be back any time soon/by the start of the playoffs). Increases the need for Santander get back and be productive even more.

Gonna hope IKF just misspoke or something but man what a terribly unlucky play that was. On the bright side if there was a guy this team could get around injury wise it is Bichette. Our infield defense is probably the best depth wise in the entire MLB with IKF, Gimenez, Davis, and Clement. And short term having elite defense in SS might make up for what we lose with Bos bat especially if Tony is healthy.

Im curious to how the DH role is gonna go with Springer and Santander. Gonna assume Springer is gonna play the field but both looked pretty awful out in RF from what ive seen.

I don't think they take the step of having Gimenez shift positions this late in the season unless Bichette's injury was significant, so I think IKF's words add up to the likely outcome (that Bichette is probably done for the year barring some kind of late postseason run).

I will say I feel much more comfortable that we won't be blowing games due to our defense now in the playoffs (although I can't say that entirely due to whatever Springer/Santander or Vlad might do). The problem is that this team's offense is far weaker without him and now below that of some other contenders (NYY, PHI, LAD). We're gonna be relying on some hitters to play or continuing playing well above their heads. Which, well, it sometimes that happens in October. Elite talent wins most often in the playoffs, though, and there's no question Bichette is that from an offensive perspective.

Yeah its more wishful thinking that they can get by without him. And over a large sample size Clement/Andres replacing Bo at SS would be pretty devastating but worse players have gotten hot for the 3-5 weeks we'd need them. I mean Jackie Bradley Jr has a ALCS MVP lol. But yeah its not gonna be easy we saw how much we missed Bichette that last Yankee game. At least Vlad and Springer are as locked in as they have ever been.

[WuTang_CMB]

need bo

[Madvillainy2004]

People are worried about the defense I’m gonna miss the clutch bat. He’s leading the team in rbi for a reason.

It's an issue, no doubt. This team is probably gonna have trouble scoring against good pitching. You just hope some of that is made up by not making a huge back breaking error at the wrong time.

Honestly not just the errors his range is pretty awful back there too. Im pretty sure hes like a bottom 2-3 defender at SS. The best case scenario for us is Clement or Gimenez randomly get hot for no reason and we can rely on our elite defense to win some ugly close games.

But it could easily go sideways if all of Clement/Andres/IKF all suck on offense and we dont score enough cause our pitchers like putting the ball where you cant play defense lmao