Blue Jays former hurler making mark on postseason

The Los Angeles Dodgers punched their ticket to the World Series with a dominating series-clinching victory over the 2016 champions. A key component to the Dodgers success has been former Blue Jays hurler Brandon Morrow who has arguably been the best reliever next to closer Kenley Jansen.

Brandon Morrow spent five seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Brandon League and Joehermyn Chavez. The fireballer always displayed front of the rotation potential but struggled to stay on the field dealing with a variety of ailments while with Toronto. Even when healthy Morrow pitches with Type 1 diabetes and wears an insulin pump when he pitches.

The hurlers best season north of the border came in 2012 where Morrow made 21 starts for the Blue Jays going 10-7 with a 2.96 earned run average on a team that finished 16 games under .500 for the season.

Throughout his career Morrow has dealt with a variety of shoulder, elbow and forearm ailments including but limited to an entrapped nerve, a torn tendon sheath, an oblique injury as well as valley fever which attacks the lungs. The 33-year did not even begin the season with the Dodgers out of spring training making 20 appearances for Oklahoma City where he posted a gaudy 7.20 earned run average.

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Once promoted to the “City of Angels” Morrow hit his stride and never looked back asserting himself as one of the most reliable relievers for Manager Dave Roberts. During the regular season, Morrow posted a tidy 2.06 earned run average with an impressive 0.916 WHIP while fanning 50 in 45 appearances. Morrow can still bring the heat touching the high 90’s consistently as he did in his younger years with Toronto.

Morrow has made 7 appearances thus far in the postseason nearly pitching to perfection. In three NLDS outings versus the Diamondbacks, he accumulated a 2.45 ERA surrendering one run in 3.2 innings while striking out one batter.

In 4 appearances versus the Cubs in the NLCS, Morrow did not surrender a hit in 4.2 innings of work while fanning 7 hitters. Not bad production from a guy making $1.25 million this season. The hurler will undoubtedly garner a raise this offseason as he tests the free agent waters.

Next: Blue Jays shake up minor league coaching staffs

Who knows maybe a reunion in Toronto will be in the cards. Best of luck in the World Series.