ST: Orioles @ Blue Jays - Aug 5-7

[BigLeagueChew]

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Game 1 Tuesday, August 5, 7:07 PM EDT
Norris vs Buehrle

Game 2 Wednesday, August 6, 7:07 PM EDT
Chen vs Hutch

Game 3 Thursday, August 7, 7:07 PM EDT
Gonzalez vs Happ

[SharoneWright]

Once more unto the breach, dear friends!

[vaff87]

Okay, BLC, you had an off series there, now it's time to get back to work! We need you!

[zilby]

Believe in the BLC, breathe the BLC, brush your teeth to the BLC.

Going to Thursday's game, hoping for a helluva time! Let's bounce back here Jays.

[Michael Bradley]

If the Jays are running this same AAA group of players, then I don't have much hope for this series. It is already August and other than Lawrie having some rehab games lately, I haven't heard anything about the returning players. We need them back ASAP.

I guess I will believe in BLC, but running out lineups with Ryan Goins, Anthony Gose, Munenori Kawasaki, and Dioner Navarro batting clean-up is going to catch up to us very quickly, if it hasn't already.

[Santoki]

I'm not usually the positive one around these parts, but I think everyone will cool out with 2/3 here.

They did just play 10 straight on the road and are a much different team at home. Baltimore isn't hitting much either, so they're not blowing us out of the building.

I will say with the day off that I hope they do let Hutch skip a start, but I doubt it happens.

[s e n s i]

**** the orioles

[Waylon Mercy]

I knew the Astros series was gonna be tough...they gave the A's trouble the series prior and have
always played us tough. I'm still amazed we've kept our heads above water without EE, Lind and
Lawrie.

[Schad]

I'm not usually the positive one around these parts, but I think everyone will cool out with 2/3 here.

They did just play 10 straight on the road and are a much different team at home. Baltimore isn't hitting much either, so they're not blowing us out of the building.

I will say with the day off that I hope they do let Hutch skip a start, but I doubt it happens.

I'd also prefer that they skip Hutch. His innings are getting up there, and for all the "we're not placing any limits on him" stuff, I'd like to have his arm intact for September, even if we're willing to risk future seasons.

[Michael Bradley]

Gibbons said they are not skipping Hutchison, which doesn't surprise me with the lack of regard they have shown with him so far. He will either get hurt or lose the team a few games before they make a change.

[duppyy]

BLC reputation on the line.

[g_greg]

I got busy and forgot to post in the Astros series thread. In my mind, I am at least partially responsible for those losses.

Believe in the team. Believe in BLC. All together now: BLC is love. BLC is life.

[torontoaces04]

I'd also prefer that they skip Hutch. His innings are getting up there, and for all the "we're not placing any limits on him" stuff, I'd like to have his arm intact for September, even if we're willing to risk future seasons.

Is it too early to throw Aaron Sanchez in there for 5-6 innings, in Hutch's spot?

[Winggfly]

Is it too much to say that this is the most important series of the year?

[Michael Bradley]

A Nationals win tonight would cut the lead to 3. Although Baltimore winning by 1 seems like the safest bet.

[Santoki]

I'm now officially concerned about Lind and EE. No update on either since EE suffered a "setback".

[Wo1verine]

What happened to Grange? It seems like he's turned into a company man and only bases his opinion now on the bests interests on his employer, which obviously owns the Jays.

I wish the media wasn't controlled here.

He sounds like a fool defending AA/Rogers for not making any trades and proceeds to bashing Bautista and Janssen for calling Alex out.

[blaateeee]

It's not so much just the trade deadline, its moreso the trade deadline, offseason, and last years trade deadline. That, plus the fact the payroll is already 137M, that's not too shabby. What do the Jays have to show for it?? Barely a 2nd wildcard spot, 11+ is buried in AAA.

Time for jays to add was the offseason.

[Santoki]

What bothers me about the "we have a Top 10 payroll" argument is that this is used to say we shouldn't need to spend any more money to compete. The problem is that the Jays don't have a Top 10 payroll year in and year out. Instead, they operate in the bottom half of payroll for years, then throw money into the team every few years when interest is low, and then proceed to operate the team in the same fashion as before. Having a Top 10 payroll for a year or two isn't enough. Many of those Top 10 teams continue to spend more and more to keep themselves competitive or to add pieces to get over the top.

Instead, the Jays think throwing $50 million into the team automatically makes them contenders and then shouldn't need to spend anymore to win. So, yes, it's great that in theory we have a Top 10 payroll (which won't last) but that's like spending all your money to get into the club and then you can only order tap water at the bar and expecting the hot Asian girl to go home with you. It just ain't happening.

[Ado05]

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