Blue Jays: New acquisitions hold key to successful postseason

The trade deadline acquisitions hold the key to a successful postseason run for the Toronto Blue Jays.

The acquisitions of pitchers Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray could bode well for the Blue Jays playoff run in light of the recent struggles of Tanner Roark and Chase Anderson. The new duo will likely leapfrog both Roark and Anderson on the postseason roster pecking order.

The Blue Jays acquired Walker from the Mariners in exchange for Alberto Rodriguez at the end of August. Since the trade, the 28-year old has made four starts for Toronto posting an impressive 1.56 earned run average in 17.1 innings of work.

Coupled with the successes of Walker, Ray has somewhat channeled his former self since joining the Blue Jays. The southpaw has made three appearances which include a pair of starts since being acquired from the Diamondbacks.

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Ray has a pair of appearances where he has limited the opposition to one run apiece including his last start where he held the Mets to four hits over five innings of work. The 28-year old has also fanned 14 hitters in 12 innings of work since the trade.

The acquisitions are well-timed as both Roark and Anderson have imploded of late surrendering home runs like they are free candy. Both hurlers are a longshot to be included on the postseason roster given their current track record.

Roark boasts an inflated 6.41 earned run average in nine starts this season while being victimized by an American League-leading 14 home runs. The hurler was torched by the Yankees in his last start giving up four homers over six runs.

Anderson is dealing with his own issues on the bump as well, in eight games he sports a dismal 7.45 earned run average. The 32-year old began the season on a high note, however, in his last three starts he has been lit up for 17 runs including nine gopher balls.

With Matt Shoemaker tabbed to return from the injured reserve sooner than later, the postseason rotation could consist of Hyun Jin Ryu, Shoemaker, Walker, and Ray. The pair of trades could pay dividends when quality starts become paramount in the playoffs.

As for Roark and Anderson, they could be on the outside looking in come October.