Have the Blue Jays mismanaged their pitching staff during season's biggest stretch?

The Toronto Blue Jays owe their unexpected success this season to a number of factors. This includes exceptional defence, timely hitting, late inning resiliency, key performances by just about every member of the pitching staff - and - good vibes. (All stats going into Thursday night's game)

Manager John Schneider and various players have lauded their approach to communication this season - insuring that everyone is involved and knows their role. When the likes of Joey Loperfido, Jonatan Clase, and even Buddy Kennedy have been called up, they've wound up in the starting lineup within a day or two.

While the team's success has been driven by that full roster approach, it's also led to the need for tough decisions to be made when there have been roster crunches - whether it's been the return of Daulton Varsho from injury, the insertion of Shane Bieber to the pitching staff, or, most recently, the long-awaited return of Anthony Santander.

Now, as the team stumbles its way towards the post season, it's worth re-examining some of those roster decisions, and exploring the impact they have had on the team's fortunes.

Have the Blue Jays mismanaged their pitching staff during season's biggest stretch?

Lauer to the Bullpen

It's hard to imagine where the Blue Jays would be this season if not for the emergence of Eric Lauer. With Max Scherzer on the shelf for the first half of the season, and with Bowden Francis unable to replicate his 2024 success, the journeyman lefty was called up at the end of April, and immediately provided relief to a beleaguered staff.

After six impressive bulk appearances out of the bullpen and a couple of spot starts, Lauer joined the rotation on June 11th, and over the course of 12 starts, pitched to a 6-1 record with a 3.05 ERA, 63 punch-outs, and just 16 walks.

By comparison, over that same stretch, Jose Berrios' numbers were headed in the opposite direction. After two strong starts to close out June, Berrios pitched to a 5.68 ERA across nine starts, averaging less than five innings per appearance.

Once the team acquired Shane Bieber at the deadline, they had a choice: use a six-man rotation, or move one of Berrios or Lauer to the bullpen. Ultimately, they chose to keep Berrios in the rotation, but did not define Lauer's role - skipping his scheduled start, before throwing him out on extended rest - which led to, by far, his worst start of the season.

Since then, Lauer has made just five appearances, pitching to a 4.70 ERA. Is he a long relief option or a situational lefty? With less than a week to go until the post-season, the team still doesn't seem entirely sure. As for Berrios, more on that later...