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Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason

By Nick Prasad

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: Alek Manoah #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes his MLB debut pitching during the first inning of Game One of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 27, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 27: Alek Manoah #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays makes his MLB debut pitching during the first inning of Game One of a doubleheader against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 27, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Blue Jays are halfway through the month of September, and weeks away from the end of the 2022 regular season.  The Blue Jays eye one of three American League Wild Card spots, hoping to secure a berth. With the postseason on the horizon, which key piece should we focus on? Yes, the big-righty, Alek Manoah.

The Blue Jays currently possess the second Wild Card spot in the American League, which is their most likely route into playoff baseball this season (in the Wild Card). Unlike the previous 1-game do or die WC matchups, 2022’s version is a best of three series.

From this series all the way to the World Series, pitching will be the make or break of the Blue Jays’ run for a championship of any sort. We can go as far back as Dave Stieb and Juan Guzman, Roger Clemens and Roy Halladay, and Marcus Stroman and Marco Estrada. These were the big-show arms of their era; guys that were summoned with the fate of their team in their pitching hand. The current Blue Jays have Alek Manoah to rely on.

Blue Jays: Can Manoah keep up the pace he’s on towards a playoff run?

Manoah’s had his ups and downs, but nothing seizes his day-to-day, pitch-to-pitch grind. Each and every time Alek takes the mound, his intensity is emphasized, mixed with emotion and perseverance.  He executes his repertoire with full confidence, lacking fear and doubt. He fully understands the tools on his belt and now has a good feel for opponents in the American League.

Manoah has had a hot year so far, pitching to a 14-7 record while striking out 163 batters and only walking 43 in 177.2 innings pitched with a 2.43 ERA. Manoah is set to keep up the pace into the playoffs based predominantly on his pitch approach and use of off-speed options.

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He’s still sitting averagely between 95-97mph with his fastball used 36.9% of the time, working the upper and lower zones followed by a slider that breaks in and around the zone at 3 different breakpoints.

Manoah will give the Blue Jays an average of between 6-7 innings a game, striking out an average of 5-6 batters a game. Manoah’s pace is steady and consistent and will be the key piece in a Blue Jays playoff run this fall.

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