Series Preview: Phillies Bring Trade Bait to Blue Jays Home Turf

Will they or won’t they? It seems that they have! Well Alex Anthopolous has started something…the Blue Jays have traded for Troy Tulowitzki!…….AAAAHHH!! I did not see that one coming….mostly because we still need some pitching, yo.

This stretch of games (16 of 19 at home) will determine that fate of the team going forward. Are they a .500 team just needing a tweak to thrive or are they best suited to give the kids another year and aim for 2016 to be the beginning of their hopeful charge of always being competitive for a playoff spot like the Yankees and Cardinals? Man…it’s tough love with AA isn’t it?

Are they a .500 team just needing a tweak to thrive or are they best suited to give the kids another year and aim for 2016 to be the beginning of their hopeful charge

Does he think the rotation is set with the Felix Dubrounts and Marco Estradas of the world? Perhaps the get of LaTroy Hawkins in the deal will send Aaron Sanchez back to the rotation sooner rather than later. Keep your eyes on JaysJournal.com for all your deadline deal needs…so aside from that there are some games to be played. The Jays opponent? The woeful Philadelphia Phillies. 

Toronto Blue Jays

The Phillies are nothing more than a travelling road show intent on showing off it’s useful parts that may get them some younger integral parts of their inevitable rebuild. Cole Hamels leads the charge of impending trade bait which must make it difficult to compete as hard as you can for someone who is trying to get rid of you…Nothing personal of course. He just wants to play for a contender.

Same goes for Jonathan Papelbon…and Marlon Byrd…can Ruben Amaro get the long term prospects the Phils are going to need to build another winner? How will this trade affect them going forward?

Game 1: Adam Morgan (1-2, 4.28 ERA) vs Felix Dubrount (1-0, 4.34 ERA)

Morgan has been ok since being inserted into the rotation at the beginning of June. He hasn’t been getting deep into games and has given up his share of hits but he is concerned one of the pitching corner pieces of the Phils rotation going forward. He is very skilled with a great fastball but needs better control of it to avoid giving up a hit per inning as he is doing currently. The Blue Jays are notoriously known for having trouble with lesser known players so Morgan should be a good test for their revamped offense.

Dubrount is here because there is no one else ready to contribute to the rotation…ok maybe Randy Wolf but that is only if Dubrount falters. He has lost a few miles off his fastball and has been spotting his ball better ( A la Mark Buehrle) but still gets himself into bad situations like his loss to the Royals here he have up 5 in 5 innings. Other than that he is just a seat warmer until Daniel Norris or Aaron Sanchez is ready to slip back in. 

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Game 2: Jerome Williams (3-7, 6.28 ERA) vs R.A. Dickey (4-10, 4.53 ERA)

Williams sure knows how to bounce around. He is a great guy with great stuff that he has yet been unable to unleash. He gives up more ground balls than fly balls which will play great in the Rogers Centre. He has always been…serviceable. Been a fan of the game and I notice that his guile and determination keep him going. His 1.38 WHIP is average as is his BAA against (.270). That doesn’t speak to the man he is. He fails and keeps trying and keeps getting a chance..perhaps this is the year he turns it around…sans the heat. If he is as advertised the Blue Jays offense should feast on some of the love.

Dickey has not been doing too badly if it weren’t for some disturbing support, or lack thereof, form his offense. IF he can maintain his consistency, he should be just fine in this one.

Game 3: TBD vs Marco Estrada (7-6, 3.55 ERA)

Estrada is as advertised and focus. His last game was truly sloppy all over and perhaps the Blue Jays finally reached the boiling point. Estrada has more or less kept the ball in the yard. He has baffled hitters with some clear cohesion and and ability to not give up the big hit. His peripherals are ok but is he truly a part of a great team and that is bringing out the best in him….again as long as his offense plates some runs for him.

Players to Watch

This series it’s a no-brainer. The player to watch is Tulo. We need to get used to Tulo…offsetting the lineup which I am assuming will now have Devon Travis as its man at the leadoff spot with Tulo going in around the 4th or 5th spot in the batting order. Nice to have traded for one of the best right side of the field tandems in baseball…arguably the best right side in terms of offense and defense.

Predictions

It’s tough. The Jays should run rough shod over the weaker Phillies but with minds elsewhere there may be a chance for Philly to check out a few plays streaming. I see a 2 of 3 deal going down for both teams with those that were traded having incredible first aid stuff. Let’s go Blue Jays…sweep it out sweep it out waaaaaaaaaaaay out.

Next: 5 Things That Blue Jays Need to do By Friday!

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