Blue Jays’ ALCS MVP: Jose Bautista

There’s much to be disappointed and frustrated about the ALCS but when you look at the Blue Jays’ season as a whole, especially considering what the expectations were at the beginning, they’ve had an exceptional season. There’s certainly room to grow and some tweaks that need to be made but this team is primed for success. I firmly believe that the Blue Jays are a more skilled team with a brighter future than the Royals but the Royals were superior in execution and that’s all that matters in the postseason. Call it luck, experience, focus or a combination thereof; the Royals had it and the Jays didn’t. As Blue Jays’ fans commiserate over what could have been, we offer up the last “player of the week”/”series MVP” of the 2015 season.

The Blue Jays scored 31 runs in the series. Jose Bautista had 6 hits in 19 ABs. One was a double, two home runs and he added 7 walks. Troy Tulowitzki had 7 hits in 23 ABs including 2 doubles and a home run. Josh Donaldson had two doubles, a home run, 3 walks and 3 singles in 23 ABs.

The Blue Jays allowed 38 runs as a team. The starters posted a 1.17 WHIP and an ugly 5.24 ERA. Marco Estrada allowed 4 earned over 13 innings with 10 walks/hits against and 11 strikeouts. David Price limited runners well (0.90 WHIP) and racked up strikeouts (16 Ks in 13.1 IP) but due to big hits at bad times he allowed 8 earned in his two starts. Marcus Stroman had his worst start of the postseason and RA Dickey had one of his worst period. The starters needed to better for the Jays to have stood a realistic chance at advancing.

As bad as the starters were, the bullpen was a few ticks worse. They posted a 1.86 WHIP and a 9.18 ERA. It’s a struggle to find any bullpen performances to highlight. Even the dependable Roberto Osuna and Aaron Sanchez were ineffective this series. Liam Hendriks did provide a great scoreless long relief outing on the 20th but the night before he allowed 3 earned in 0.1 IP. Sanchez had no earned runs against but allowed crucial inherited runners to score.

Unlike the last series, there were only two real candidates for Blue Jays ALCS MVP. Estrada was sensational in his season saving start and gave the Jays one last gasp. But Jose Bautista once again lifted the team on his shoulders at the most crucial juncture. He really could not have done more. He provided the entirety of the team’s offence in game 6. He led a heroic, desperate charge but unfortunately this time, his teammates couldn’t make it out of the trench to follow him.

Most Valuable Hitter: Jose Bautista

Most Valuable Pitcher: Marco Estrada

Series MVP: Jose Bautista

Next: David Price Puts Post-Season Narrative to Rest

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