Series Preview: Blue Jays Coast Through Tampa Bay

It finally happened. After literally a generation of non-playoff baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays are about to coast into the 2nd season looking fairly dominant and ready to take on all comers. From the vaunted offense being held up by the vastly improved pitching to the highlight reel defense behind it, the Jays have made the last few months so damn exciting.

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So to the players who toiled over 20 years in a futile attempt to reach the post-season I salute you.  Roy Halladay, Carlos Delgado, Shannon Stewart and the rest…thanks for keeping us entertained as the Blue Jays fumbled and bumbled their way through each season past 1993. You deserve a ring just for keeping the game somewhat relevant.

Going into Tampa Bay, the Blue Jays have to win 2 of 3 games to finish with a winning record on the road which will be a great accomplishment in and of itself. We already have two 40-homer men in Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista. If Edwin Encarnacion gets on one of his ytears it could very well be three 40-homer men (he is at 37). Last time that happened? Well the Rockies did it in 1996 AND 1997, and the only other team to accomplish that was the 1973 Atlanta Braves. Rare company indeed.

Next: Across the Diamond: The Rays

Oct 1, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher J.P. Arencibia (40) is congratulated by relief pitcher Alex Colome (37) and teammates as they beat the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field.Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Miami Marlins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Across the Diamond: Tampa Bay Rays

Oh, how the not-so-mighty-but-run-so-well Rays have fallen…fallen into a three way tie for 3rd in the division heading into the final 3 games of the season. You gave it your all….your numbers were enough to keep your team above average in most categories. Why, then, did you finish so lousy? With that pitching and some pretty decent hitting you should be nipping at the heels of the Blue Jays. Now, the Rays are playing for spots next year or even to play spoiler this year.

Tampa will continue to improve if the team keeps producing such amazing homegrown talent, especially on the pitching side. The loss of Joe Maddon seems to have made one heck of a difference, but surprise hire Kevin Cash has done a pretty decent job in his first year as manager. For Jays fans, you may remember he had a few cups of coffee as a Blue Jays catcher. Watch for the Rays to make great strides next year and become relevant again…now if they could just get a decent stadium…and some fans to appreciate how consistently decent they have been.

Next: Game 1 Matchups: Go Buehrle!

Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (left) has beer poured on his head during the celebration of winning the A.L. East division after game two of a double header in the visiting locker room at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Toronto Blue Jays clinched the division after game one of the double header. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1: Mark Buehrle (14-7, 3.76 ERA) vs Erasmo Ramirez (11-6, 3.65 ERA)

Here’s hoping Buehrle can get himself deep into this game. Getting a complete game is not out of the question but it will be difficult. He is 8.2 innings shy of 200 for a 15th consecutive season. It has already been tossed around the clubhouse that if he gets himself deep enough into this game that he may get a shot at getting the remaining innings out of the bulpen on Sunday.

Betsided

Considering he is kind of on the outside looking in at the post season rotation this would be a nice way to end the season…especially if he retires as some think he might.

Ramirez has been a pleasant addition to the Rays rotation. He isn’t overpowering but he does know how to keep the ball down as evidenced by his 1.11 GO/AO which is by far his best ratio in his 4 year major league career.

His WHIP is great at 1.10, so it will be interesting to see if he can go into the offseason on a high note or if the vaunted Blue Jaus offense might try to make it a little more unpleasant. He certainly has put himself into the discussion as one of the Rays top 5 arms.

Next: Estrada Looks to Take Down Archer in Game 2

Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2: Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.15 ERA) vs Chris Archer (12-13, 3.26 ERA)

Estrada continues his magical season. He has given up 3 or less runs in 22 of 27 starts this season and owns the 5th best ERA in the American League.

Coming off his much discussed 29 homers given up in 2014 season, he didn’t seem to be an equal piece for fan favourite Adam Lind. Well, it has worked out well for both teams as one of the most beneficial trades of 2015. Estrada should be a shoo- in for the post-season rotation…dependent on how John Gibbons wishes to approach things. Let’s hope he finishes the 2015 regular season on a high note and makes it that much more difficult for Gibbons to keep him out of the post-season roation.

Chris Archer. Man, the Blue Jays lit him up at Rogers Centre. That isn’t good going into this game. Archer was a fringe Cy Young candidate going into that outing but it effectively took him right out of the running (and it didn’t help David Price….darn it…). Archer is still one of the best pitchers in the majors and has solidified himself as the clear number one option for the Rays going into 2016.  Going into this last start of the season he has 207 innings pitched and 246 Ks. That’s approaching Clayton Kershaw territory. This should be a great game to those who will be watching.

Next: Game 3 Should Prove Interesting

Sep 30, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Toronto Blue Jays celebrate winning the A.L. East division after game two of a double header in the visiting locker room at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Toronto Blue Jays clinched the division after game one of the double header. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: TBD vs Matt Moore (2-4, 5.84 ERA)

TBD. Not the favourite thing to see for the last game of the season. The starter will depend on how the first two games go and how close the Blue Jays are to securing playoff home field advantage. If it gets secured ahead of time, then it may be a parade of 1 or 2 innings guys like in spring training with Buehrle getting a few innings if needed.

If it isn’t secured, it will all depend on how things shake down for the way Gibby wants to set up his starters going into the playoffs. Hutchison? Dickey? Hendriks? Francis? A lot of options and none secured down just yet…we’ll keep you posted.

Matt Moore has been in and out of the rotation for the last 4 seasons when he hasn’t been injured. When he is right, he has a great fastball with late life on it and has had some measured succes in the majors. He is a guy definitely looking towards 2016 with this start, hoping he can secure himself a consistent spot in the rotation.

He has the capabilities to do it….as long as he stays healthy. He hasn’t come back too strong this season so look for the Blue Jays to take it to him and send him to the showers early.

Next: Can Edwin Make History?