Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman harshly disses team’s performance

Sunday’s starter shared some harsh words with reporters following a rather ugly 5-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

The ‘Stro Show’, while often exciting, energizing and uplifting, can become sour and hostile in a hurry, as was evidenced by Marcus Stroman’s outburst at a media availability following his seventh loss of the 2018 season.

According to Steve Buffery of the Toronto Sun and Keegan Matheson of Baseball Toronto, Stroman called his team “f—ing awful” and “f—ing terrible” after a reporter allegedly asked him an “irrelevant” question about his early career with the Class-A Vancouver Canadians.

Just before this, Stroman refused to answer the original question and walked away before turning around to yell at the reporter, according to reports.

Reports also note that while Stroman’s tone was angry and abrupt, he had been rather optimistic when answering the previous question, saying the following about his team’s defensive performance:

"“My team picks me up a ton. They pick me up all year. I should be able to pitch better in times like that when my team doesn’t have my back. Because they’ve had my back a ton of times. So, love my guys on my team and like I said, I would go to war with them any day.”"

This isn’t the first time Stroman has gone off on reporters. His loud and often eccentric personality has been the subject of a lot of criticism in the fanbase. Stroman has also blocked a number of reporters on social media.

More from Jays Journal

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time

Shortly after the incident, Stroman explained himself on Twitter, noting that “it’s extremely frustrating. I’m not playing well. Neither are we as a team”. The full statement can be read here.

This season, the 27-year old from New York has pitched to a 5.86 ERA in 12 starts, allowing 43 earned runs and striking out 52 in 66.0 innings of work. With a record of 2-7, he’s walked 26 and has surrendered eight home runs.

On Sunday, he pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, striking out four and walking one, ultimately taking the loss. With this loss, the Blue Jays now fall to 43-52, while the Red Sox improve to 68-30. The only Blue Jay runs came courtesy of a Teoscar Hernandez two-run shot in the third inning. Committing an error and managing only eight hits on the afternoon, that was all the Jays would get.

Next: Blue Jays place Pillar, Gurriel Jr. on the disabled list

The 43-52 Blue Jays will get a much needed reprieve as the league pauses for the All-Star break. The timing is likely very fortunate for Stroman and the Jays, as this should likely blow over pretty quickly. The team will resume play on Friday for the beginning of a three game set against the Baltimore Orioles.