The Toronto Blue Jays have faltered for the entire month of May failing to win back-to-back games since April 30th and to make matters worse, here is some depressing math to put their failures into perspective.
The Blue Jays are now 25-30 after losing 18 games so far this month and now find themselves 13 games out of first place in the American League East only better than the lowly Baltimore Orioles in the division. In order to reach the 90 win plateau this season, the Jays need to go 65-42 the rest of the way from this point on.
Starting pitching has been the Achilles Heel so far this season as Marcus Stroman and Joe Biagini are a combined 0-9 with an 8.06 earned run average in 57.2 innings of work. The two hurlers together have surrendered 10 home runs and 51 earned runs so far this season.
The Blue Jays six starting pitchers have a bloated team earned run average of 5.98 with only J.A. Happ enjoying some success thus far.
Stepping away from pitching, the Blue Jays have utilized seven different shortstops in their first 55 games of the season. Aledmys Diaz, Yangervis Solarte, Richard Urena, Lourdes Gurriel, Gio Urshela, Gift Ngoepe and Russell Martin have all manned the middle of the infield in 2018.
The Jays have four of their opening day starters hitting under the Mendoza Line as Randal Grichuk although currently injured is hitting .106, Russell Martin .165, Kendrys Morales .193 and Devon Travis .198. The anemic offensive results from this group have crippled the offence at times throughout the season.
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The teams best trade chip is Josh Donaldson who is set to become a free agent at season’s end however his trade value has plummetted due to injuries and poor results thus far. Donaldson is currently sidelined with another calf injury while already missing time this season for shoulder issues. Donaldson is batting a less than inspiring .234/.333/.423 with a mere five homers in 36 games. If you do the math it would appear the Jays window opportunity for maximum return on J.D. is long but closed.
Including last night, opponents have scored eight or more runs versus the Jays on 10 occasions this season. Surprisingly they have only been shutout on two occasions, one being the no-hitter tossed by Canadian James Paxton of the Mariners.
The Jays have blown nine leads while grounding into 35 double plays led by Solarte’s team-leading 10 twin killings.
The injury bug has once again feasted on Blue Jays lineup as a number of key players have been or are still shelved with an assortment of ailments. Not to mention closer Roberto Osuna is in a whole heap of trouble and may never play for the team again.
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The Blue Jays will continue to make up ground and hopefully halt this latest skid but the math does not look good for their chances at a postseason berth.