Do we rest after winning the division?

[kayliecee]

That's not the real issue. People discussing it on a message board has no bearing on the outcome. If that were the issue, why would realgm posters so often predict negative outcomes in game threads? For some reason, Toronto fans seem fine with them. I've even seen posters here argue for the right to be negative. But when someone suggests something good is in the process of happening, people tell him/her to hush. For some reason, Toronto fans are way more comfortable predicting negative outcomes than positive.

Because we're so used to mediocre/losing teams in Toronto.

What have Toronto teams (NHL, NBA, MLB and MLS) achieved in recent history except for the back-to-back World Series wins in the early 90s? Fortunately, I was born in the early 80s, so I saw what winning a championship is like. However, there are many Toronto sports fans, born in the early 90s, who have NEVER seen a Toronto team win anything. For most of the last 15 years, Toronto teams have not even made the playoffs no matter what the sport.

I'm not surprised that people are negative and I fully support it, because odds are that a Toronto sports team is a losing/lottery team.

Sorry, I'm just telling it like it is. I know optimists hate this type of talk, but we need a dose of realism in these conversations. I fully admit that if I were a fan in Boston or LA, I would be much more optimistic about my sports teams based on recent history.

I agree, It takes guts to be an optimist in Toronto. Even when your team has by far the best second half record, the best second half starting pitching, the best hitting all year, a top two MVP candidate, the top Cy Young candidate ... anyway, you get my point.

[metafisical]

I agree, It takes guts to be an optimist in Toronto. Even when your team has by far the best second half record, the best second half starting pitching, the best hitting all year, a top two MVP candidate, the top Cy Young candidate ... anyway, you get my point.

I think optimists look at everything on a case-by-case basis (e.g., the Blue Jays this season). I think pessimists take a step back and look at the whole picture, as I stated in my previous post (i.e., Toronto sports teams over the last couple of decades).

Who is right? Who is wrong? No one, I guess.

In the end, it doesn't matter. All I care about is all our sports teams occasionally winning championships.

[gei]

I already learnt that regular season means nothing. We dominated the wiz. And look what happened. Let's just keep playing and let the players dictate what they need.

They're the ones who know what kinks they have and they need to be fresh mentally to give this a go. I'm just excited this is even happening. I fully expected us to barely make it or just fight for a wildcard.

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I think there are too many Raptors fans in this thread joining the bandwagon that don't understand baseball. Sure any team has a chance of beating any other team, but facing the wildcard winner gives us a huge advantage with them having already used their best pitcher once.

Me personally I think the chance of winning the AL is too important to rest any players. They would have a few to rest after the regular season and before the ALDS.

It's actually ridiculous that people are unwilling to talk about this now. Yes anything can happen and we don't have the division locked up for certain yet, but the chances of that happening are so high that it's worth starting to plan ahead.

[azorian]

I already learnt that regular season means nothing. We dominated the wiz. And look what happened. Let's just keep playing and let the players dictate what they need.

They're the ones who know what kinks they have and they need to be fresh mentally to give this a go. I'm just excited this is even happening. I fully expected us to barely make it or just fight for a wildcard.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I think there are too many Raptors fans in this thread joining the bandwagon that don't understand baseball. Sure any team has a chance of beating any other team, but facing the wildcard winner gives us a huge advantage with them having already used their best pitcher once.

Me personally I think the chance of winning the AL is too important to rest any players. They would have a few to rest after the regular season and before the ALDS.

It's actually ridiculous that people are unwilling to talk about this now. Yes anything can happen and we don't have the division locked up for certain yet, but the chances of that happening are so high that it's worth starting to plan ahead.

Im not sure how much of an advantage it is. I believe there is a day off in between the wild card game and the actual playoffs. The winning wild card team could in theory have their number 1 pitcher back on the mound for game 2.

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[Natural11]

I think we'll have a real tough time with these last few games. The Rays are hot and the Orioles hate us. Maybe we clinch it with a game or two left. If that's the case, sure sit JD and a few of the weary guys for a bit.

[kayliecee]

I already learnt that regular season means nothing. We dominated the wiz. And look what happened. Let's just keep playing and let the players dictate what they need.

They're the ones who know what kinks they have and they need to be fresh mentally to give this a go. I'm just excited this is even happening. I fully expected us to barely make it or just fight for a wildcard.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I think there are too many Raptors fans in this thread joining the bandwagon that don't understand baseball. Sure any team has a chance of beating any other team, but facing the wildcard winner gives us a huge advantage with them having already used their best pitcher once.

Me personally I think the chance of winning the AL is too important to rest any players. They would have a few to rest after the regular season and before the ALDS.

It's actually ridiculous that people are unwilling to talk about this now. Yes anything can happen and we don't have the division locked up for certain yet, but the chances of that happening are so high that it's worth starting to plan ahead.

Im not sure how much of an advantage it is. I believe there is a day off in between the wild card game and the actual playoffs. The winning wild card team could in theory have their number 1 pitcher back on the mound for game 2.

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Anyone need a sig?

[azorian]

You don't think a pitcher would pitch on 3 days rest?

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[gei]

Sigh. Raps fans - we appreciate your enthusiasm.. but please stick to the raps board.

[kayliecee]

You don't think a pitcher would pitch on 3 days rest?

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hahahahaha

If he pitches twice in three days, that's not three days rest.

[Santoki]

You don't think a pitcher would pitch on 3 days rest?

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hahahahaha

If he pitches twice in three days, that's not three days rest.

To be fair it would be twice in 4 days but yes it wouldn't be three days rest. The only way he could pitch game 2 is if there is also a day off between games 1 & 2. However the earliest they would likely be back is Game 3. If you're a wildcard team your #1 pitcher only gets one game.

If you're the division winner your ace can go in Game 1 and Game 4/5.

[Hoopstarr]

I really don't want to play Texas until we have to. Win the whole damn league.

[Parataxis]

Matchups are meaningless, but winning the league is HUGE. It means we start the ALDS with our opponent having burned through their Ace starter, and possibly a good chunk of their relievers. That's not something to sniff at, especially not in a five game series.

[tecumseh18]

As sick as I am of seeing the Yankees, I would sure want the Jays to face them if they win the WC game. With Eovaldi and Teixeira out and Tanaka hurting, they're not the team that dominated the AL East for most of the season.

Whatever we have to do to draw that matchup, go for it. JD - for example - maybe tired and beaten up, but he's done ok the last two games. The team has had a lot of off days this month. The push is still on.

[kayliecee]

You don't think a pitcher would pitch on 3 days rest?

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hahahahaha

If he pitches twice in three days, that's not three days rest.

To be fair it would be twice in 4 days but yes it wouldn't be three days rest. The only way he could pitch game 2 is if there is also a day off between games 1 & 2. However the earliest they would likely be back is Game 3. If you're a wildcard team your #1 pitcher only gets one game.

If you're the division winner your ace can go in Game 1 and Game 4/5.

Ah okay, I see now. By game 2, I thought he meant the first game in the ALDS. My mistake.

[gei]

Just to reply to my own thread - it looks like most major publications and analysts think there will be no rest - they will keep fighting as long as they have a chance to take the AL overall.

This is what I figured as well.. can't for the life of me figure out why some posters here thought otherwise.

[LittleOzzy]

Rest? after 22 years, you want this team to take it's foot off the gas?

No thanks!

[Sifu]

There is one day of rest between the end of regular season and the WC game. 3 days for alds.