Blue Jays Discussion: Will play Texas in the ALDS (Playoff Avatars in Posts 1-4)

[trellaine201]

I think I'd rank my opponent preference as Angels-Stros-Texas-Yankees.

I don't think there's a team in baseball we can't beat so I'm comfortable with whoever it ends up being.

I'm up for that as well. Just hope it's not New York.

 

[rojac]

So am I the only one that would prefer to see the Jays at their best go head to head with their opponents at their best?

It seems like a lot of you feel the Jays shouldn't be in the playoffs and can only win a series if their opponent is weakened in some way. Doesn't seem like a fun way to watch a team, but if it works for you ...

 

[Blitzkrug]

So am I the only one that would prefer to see the Jays at their best go head to head with their opponents at their best?

It seems like a lot of you feel the Jays shouldn't be in the playoffs and can only win a series if their opponent is weakened in some way. Doesn't seem like a fun way to watch a team, but if it works for you ...

They likely will have to go through the Royals to get to the World Series, so either way they're going through the best at some point. Then they'll have to go through one of the 3 best teams in the NL if they make it to the World Series.

Part of the reason why i want an easy LDS is so the Jays have the chance to stick it to all those mouthbreathing fans in KC who claimed Donaldson was the spawn of Satan after his run in with Ventura.

 

[Trouba95*]

Yeah, if we make it past the ALDS, I want nothing more than to shut Ventura up for good. Volquez too. **** KC!

 

[LeafsNation75]

Part of the reason why i want an easy LDS is so the Jays have the chance to stick it to all those mouthbreathing fans in KC who claimed Donaldson was the spawn of Satan after his run in with Ventura.

Yeah, if we make it past the ALDS, I want nothing more than to shut Ventura up for good. Volquez too. **** KC!

I feel exactly the same way. I got the sense just because the Royals made the World Series last year their fans seems to think they do nothing wrong.

 

[Stats01]

I feel exactly the same way. I got the sense just because the Royals made the World Series last year their fans seems to think they do nothing wrong.

Amazing what 1 year can do to the mindset.

 

[Stats01]

So am I the only one that would prefer to see the Jays at their best go head to head with their opponents at their best?

It seems like a lot of you feel the Jays shouldn't be in the playoffs and can only win a series if their opponent is weakened in some way. Doesn't seem like a fun way to watch a team, but if it works for you ...

Mhmm I think you are, who doesn't want their opponent weakened? It's why teams play to get home field advantage, it's why we'd all rather avoid the WC game so we don't have to use our #1 starter unlike our opponent who will have to...it's all about advantages. Ask Canadians if they cared that Sweden was missing one of their big name players due to a drug suspension in the gold medal game in 2014. Canada dominated..having an opponent weakened in some way shouldn't take away the value of a win. If we end up beating whoever we play in the playoffs and it happened that they were weakened somehow that should be no skin off our backs.

And who the hell said they shouldn't be in the playoffs unless our opponent is weakened. I think a lot of people just want the Jays to have a big advantage or at least hold some sort of advantage going into the playoffs. Nothing wrong with that. If you want to hope for equality head to head that's your prerogative. I on the other hand hope KC have their whole team fall with some sort of epidemic flu and suffer and we crush them.

After 22 years of mediocrity I couldn't care less how this team wins. I just want them to win. I. WANT. A. CHAMPIONSHIP!

 

[Revolt]

The jays will be fine either way. However, it sure would have been nice to have played the winner of the Wild Card. Still have a chance though, lets just hope Cueto doesn't have a strong outing today.

 

[Raging Bull]

I think I heard the best Buckism the other day in regards to Revere:

"He just goes up there looking to put the bat on the ball."

 

[BuppY]

I think I heard the best Buckism the other day in regards to Revere:

"He just goes up there looking to put the bat on the ball."

He's a professional hitter and those don't grow on tree.

 

[Natey]

 

[Clark4Ever]

Osuna has shown the ability to bounce back. I thought he had good stuff last night, he just didn't go after the hitters the way he usually does. He should be fine.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I assume Buehrle will be starting today?

I wonder when the last time a pitcher started 2 games in a 3 game series was?

 

[hoglund]

I assume Buehrle will be starting today?

I wonder when the last time a pitcher started 2 games in a 3 game series was?

good question, my guess is in the playoffs with 3 remaining games and an ace for one of the teams was needed to win the series, I don't know who, but I bet it has happened.

 

[Gargyn]

Yeah, imagine Holland and Lewis going up against Price and Stroman.

All I hope is Houston and the Texas tie so that the Rangers have to burn Gallardo.

Exactly. Would love to see Gallardo only get the nod once. That's my only worry

 

[Damisoph]

I read the first few pages of this thread and forwarded to the end in disgust.

OF COURSE it's more important to rest your stars for the playoffs than play through nagging injuries to maybe get home field.

I love love love Papa getting the start today, just get through 2 innings and call it a career. I don't think most Jays fans appreciate what we've seen for the last three years with Mark Buehrle. What a beauty he is. GJG

 

[LaCarriere]

Osuna has shown the ability to bounce back. I thought he had good stuff last night, he just didn't go after the hitters the way he usually does. He should be fine.

Since the start of Sept he's pitched 12 innings, 8ER, 8 hits, 4 BBs, and possibly the most concerning is a .890 OPS (.596 SLG). Over that time he's given up 4 HRs, 3 doubles and triple. He's getting hit for a lot of extra base hits.

His fastball is just flat right now, and he's either trying to nibble or missing and leaving it out over the plate.

The Jays have struggled enough winning close / 1 run games, they don't need a struggling closer to make things even tougher.

 

[hoglund]

I read the first few pages of this thread and forwarded to the end in disgust.

OF COURSE it's more important to rest your stars for the playoffs than play through nagging injuries to maybe get home field.

I love love love Papa getting the start today, just get through 2 innings and call it a career. I don't think most Jays fans appreciate what we've seen for the last three years with Mark Buehrle. What a beauty he is. GJG

I think most fans just like to *****, even if the Jays go on to win it all, they'll find something to complain about "why didn't they hand the trophy to Donaldson first, he's better than Bautista", blah, blah, blah. Homefield is important, but the Jays ALREADY have home field advantage, the only way they don't is if they play KC and it goes to a game 7, is that REALLY something to worry about......

 

[one77]

Tons of respect for Buerhle. I'm all for him getting his 2 innings and calling it a career.

Head into the playoffs with:

Price
Stroman
Estrada
Dickey

Osuna - Sanchez - Hutchison - Lowe - Hendriks - Cecil - Hawkins - Loup

 

[LaCarriere]

Tons of respect for Buerhle. I'm all for him getting his 2 innings and calling it a career.

Head into the playoffs with:

Price
Stroman
Estrada
Dickey

Osuna - Sanchez - Hutchison - Lowe - Hendriks - Cecil - Hawkins - Loup

They aren't going with an 8 man pen. 14 bench players + 11 pitchers (4 starters + 7 pen arms) as per Barry Davis during yesterday's game. I'd be surprised if Hutch is on the playoff roster.

 

[one77]

They aren't going with an 8 man pen. 14 bench players + 11 pitchers (4 starters + 7 pen arms) as per Barry Davis during yesterday's game. I'd be surprised if Hutch is on the playoff roster.

Surprising that Hutch may not be on the playoff roster considering he's been a starter all season. You'd think he would at least be useful out of the pen. Goes to show how bad he has been lol

 

[Stats01]

I assume Buehrle will be starting today?

I wonder when the last time a pitcher started 2 games in a 3 game series was?

technically it counts as a start but he'll likely go 2 innings max 3 and then get pulled. Knowing that he's ending his career this will be a great chance for both teams and the fans in the stadium to give this man a well deserved ovation. One of the most respectful guys in the game, for someone who was drafted so late to accomplish as much as he did is amazing. 200+innings for 15 years in a row. Just incredible endurance.

 

[Stats01]

Surprising that Hutch may not be on the playoff roster considering he's been a starter all season. You'd think he would at least be useful out of the pen. Goes to show how bad he has been lol

He's not a BP arm though..that's the thing he's a starter. If he came out of the pen it would be in a blowout game. He'd be the long man, to be quite honest how many teams hold out a playoff roster spot for a long man? His spot can go to another bench player for depth or a specialist out of the pen. I will agree with you that his performance all year has been his demise. Outside of a few bright spots the guy was fortunate enough to get incredible run support or he'd probably have a record of 4-13 or something like that.

 

[LaCarriere]

I just don't see what role he'd serve out of the pen. If they are getting blown out early in a game and need somebody to eat some innings guys like Sanchez / Hendriks / Lowe / Hawkins can each give them at least an inning, probably two, and the chances of that happening with Price / Stroman as your #1-2 aren't great. I suppose Dickey is always prone to getting knocked around every now and then, but he's been pitching fine.

They'd simply be better served with the extra bench player who they are more likely to use in a close game, a guy like Pompey who they can pinch run, or an extra defensive replacement or even a bat like Hauge (probably the least likely option). The only purpose Hutch would serve is to potentially go 3-4+ innings in a game the Jays are getting blown out in to help save the pen, but when you're only playing two games in a row and then have a travel/rest day, there's really no reason why everyone in the pen shouldn't be available on any day. They are way more likely to get use out of the extra bench player as opposed to Hutch out of the pen.

 

[Trouba95*]

We should all hope for a Texas loss and Houston win. That way they burn Gallardo so he can't pitch until gm 3 if we play Tex.