Blue Jays immaturity and lack of experience exposed in Boston

The Toronto Blue Jays youth movement was exposed in loss to Boston Red Sox.

The Blue Jays played a sloppy contest that exposed their lack of experience last night at Fenway Park leading to an eventual 5-3 loss. Both Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made ill-timed baserunning mistakes that ended in outs at third base.

Skipper Charlie Montoyo also ran Randal Grichuk in a less than opportune situation that led to a deflating strike ’em out, throw ’em out play. Montoyo also batted Teoscar Hernandez eighth in his batting order even though the outfielder has arguably been his best offensive player thus far this season.

Montoyo does not seem to manage with any sense of urgency and seems content losing as long as the team plays well or keeps it close on the scoreboard. Somebody may want to remind him that every game is magnified this season and there is no room for error or reward for being the “Happy Loser”.

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It seems more and more apparent that Montoyo is the placeholder until the team is ready to compete at which time a more experienced manager will be hired. Montoyo needs a colourful postgame interview or spirited ejection otherwise his players are going to steal his lunch money.

On defence, Vladdy misplayed back-to-back foul balls late in the game that extended an at-bat. I realize he is playing a new position, however, the second attempt definitely lacked effort on his part and he missed both balls badly.

The Blue Jays did well to scratch and claw keeping the game close after starter Tanner Roark was anything but sharp. Roark showed the effects of a long layoff and struggled to consistently throw strikes for the entire outing.

The team is young and we all knew there would be growing pains but hopefully, this on the job training pays dividends sooner than later.