Blue Jays Player of the Week: Jose Bautista

The Blue Jays went 3-4 in the week after their 11 game winning streak ended. Normally you could cut a team a little slack but the problem with the Jays this week was that every game they lost they could easily have won. Three of the four losses this week, the bullpen gave away and they couldn’t complain of not being rested (until after the most recent game). The low scoring and close games continue to be the bane of this team. In games where both the Jays and their opponent have scored 4 or less runs, the Jays are 3 for 18. In games where both the Jays and their opponent have scored 3 or less runs, the Jays are 1 for 8. Playoff teams win these games—not always of course but not 16% of the time.

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The starters this week were all quite effective except for Scott Copeland. Mark Buehrle threw 14 innings, 1.93 ERA, 2.10 FIP with 10 strikeouts and two walks. Drew Hutchison went 5.2 scoreless innings. Marco Estrada had his improbable no hit bid extend into the 8th inning. He struck out 6, walked 4 and allowed one run. RA Dickey went 7.1 IP allowing a run, 7 Ks and 5 walks (some of which were very dubious). Mark Buehrle gets the nod for best pitcher of the week.

The bullpen did have a few bright spots. Bo Schultz threw 4.2 innings with 4 Ks and 3 walks/hits. Ryan Tepera and Liam Hendriks didn’t allow runs in their innings of work. Otherwise the bullpen was either average, below average or downright terrible. Steve Delabar didn’t have any earned runs against this week but did blow a save last night.

Kevin Pillar had a big week with 8 singles, one double, 2 home runs, 5 RBI, one walk and a stolen base in 25 ABs. Ezequiel Carrera made the most of his 13 ABs getting 4 singles, a home run and 2 walks. Chris Colabello had a home run, a double, 5 singles and 2 walks in 20 ABs. However it was Jose Bautista who was head and shoulders above his team mates. He had 3 home runs, a triple, 4 singles, 11 RBI, and 9 BB in 20 AB. That was good for a 1.531 OPS or 289 wRC+. WAR had Bautista’s week at 0.8 which was 0.2 higher than his next best team mate (Kevin Pillar).

Razzie of the week is pretty obvious. Brett Cecil allowed 8 earned over 2.1 innings—all at the worst possible times. He blew a save, very nearly blew another and took the loss in another. He racked up a -0.87 WPA in a week. Honourable mention goes to Scott Copeland’s disastrous start.

The Tony goes to CB Bucknor for his amazing song and dance routine—he was impossible to ignore. What a spectacle! The star of the show!

Next: MiLB Recap