Blue Jays AL East Recap: Highs and Lows

Apr 30, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash (16) takes the ball from Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Alex Colome (37) during the eighth inning at an MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays Stagnate

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The injury riddled Rays saw few successes this week. Losing both to the Orioles and the Blue Jays. The Rays dealt with the inconsistencies that plagued them all last season. If their offense was on, their rotation was off. This weekend their offense was hushed behind strong performances from the staff. The Rays will get good news this week, Jake Odorizzi is slated to pitch Monday night against the Miami Marlins. Odorizzi was on the DL most of April.

The Rays’ biggest problems were in their bullpen. Their ‘pen is already ravaged by injuries and weak outings by the remaining staff cost the Jays some close one. Closer Alex Colome suffered his first two losses of the year this week. Being the strongest member of the bullpen, that is not a good sign for the Rays. With Odorizzi coming back, Erasmo Ramirez will slot back into the bullpen, but that may be to little to late.

Final Takeaway:

The Rays missed out on some successful showings by both Offense and Defense. A decimated bullpen coughed up a few runs, and ultimately set the Rays 2 games under .500. With so many injured, they’ll need to be stronger or risk fading out.

Next: Jose Bautista collects his 1000th hit as a Blue Jay

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