Series Preview: Blue Jays Ready for a Fight with the Indians

Edwin Edwin Edwin. EdwinEdwinEdwin. Ed.Win. There is so much out there regarding the truly impressive August performance of Edwin Encarnacion that it’s crazy. For a good spread on what Edwin has done as a figurehead check out Milk Wilner’s article here on sportsnet.ca. It’s truly incredible. First he takes down Mickey Mantle for HRs in May (16 in 2014) now all of this. The roll the Blue Jays are on is even better than the World Series teams of the early 90s. The biggest change? The atmosphere at Rogers Centre. It wasn’t that crazy even during the World Series home games. Just keep watching and clinging to that bandwagon. Your enthusiasm is much appreciated.

Speaking of treading water…the Cleveland Indians bring their decent lineup and ok starting pitching to the Rogers Centre beginning tonight. Michael Bradley has been his usually close to MVP-worthy self and is among the league leaders in batting average (.325). Couple that with a breakout season for Jason Kipnis (.319 BA and .886 OPS…same as Brantley’s) and a huge first season for Francisco Lindor (.312 BA) and the Indians offense is running well. The pitching has been too. They have three pitchers throwing under 3.60 ERA in the rotation (Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Corey Kluber) and their closer is Cody Allen who has 27 saves in 30 chances. The pieces are there but the intangibles were fine.

As for this series against the Jays..my heart goes out to you Mr/Ms. Indian fan who must also bite their lip as their President will be leaving to fly North. They will be pesky and will fight hard. Their pitching is right on par with the Blue Jays in terms of ERA (3.76 for the Jays and 3.77 for the Indians) and close in hitting (.266 for the Jays….257 for the Indians). There is  a lot to like about this team but they just can’t seem to put it all together this year. Fighting with the Royals and Twins and Tigers will do that to a team. Don’t take them lightly though or they may just take you out.

Next: Game 1: Price vs Salazar

Aug 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher

(14) in dugout during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1:  Danny Salazar (11-7, 3.30 ERA) vs David Price (13-4, 2.42 ERA)

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Salazar has been a bulldog in this rotation and has become better and better as the seasons go by. He has made 23 starts and has an ERA that is top 30 in the AL. He had a rough time (5 earned) against the dangerous Yankees last time out and will be trying to reassert himself as a valued  member of his rotation. Even with that outburst Salazar has an .209 BAA and a 1.09 WHIP or the month of August. Before that he hadn’t given up more than 3 earned runs since early July.

David Price is David Price. Buying jerseys for young fans, throwing smoke against opposing batters. He has the ability to throw a no-hitter each time he is out there. The Blue Jays are undefeated in his starts so far (5-0) and he brings an amazing energy and enthusiasm to the field. His ERA keeps creeping lower and now sits in the top three in the American League. He is riding a wave so expect nothing more than the very best David Price this outing.

Next: Game 2: Estrada vs Anderson

Aug 28, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) throws the ball during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: Trevor Bauer (11-11, 4.31 ERA) vs R.A. Dickey (9-10, 4.25 ERA)

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Bauer is one of those pitchers everyone wants. Young, power-armed and controllable. He is slowly becoming what he has projected to be.  His numbers are similar to 2014 at first glance but dig deeper and you see his BAA is 29 points lower and his WHIP is 10 points lower. He has great movement on his fastball and could give the Blue Jays fits if he is on his game. Right now Bauer is a 4 in the rotation. Next year he could be their number two between Salazar and Corey Kluber.

Dickey had a wee bit of a tough time this month against the Angels and the Phillies (5 earned in each). His BAA is .290 this month. He hasn’t been a sharp as he was in June or July but allow him a bit of leeway with the repertoire that he has. He keeps the team in games and the bullpen fresh by constantly going deep into games. Since April 24th he has gone at least 5 innings in every game but 1 (4 innings in the gamer against the Phillies). Given that he is much better at home this could be a blowout way to end the sweep.

Next: Who Ya Got?

Aug 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) is greeted by first base coach Tim Leiper (34) after hitting a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Player to Watch

Edwin Encarnacion. AL Player of the Week. As Stan Lee once said: ‘Nuff Said.

Predictions

This will be another good test for the Blue Jays. They have gone through many of the contenders for the playoffs during this wondrous stretch in August (21-5). The odds are the Indians may take 2 of 3 or even a sweep of this series. There is something magical happening with the Blue Jays in Toronto so forget what the odds may say. Take this as a sweep. Anything can and will happen.

Next: Blue Jays Player of the Week: Any Guesses?

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• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King