Not Giving Up Hope

Living in Rochester, I've grown a resentment towards the city of Buffalo and the fans of it's sports franchises as Rochestarians are treated as second class citizens of western New York. However, they have offered shelter to my Toronto Blue Jays since last year.

While it's nice to know that with the Blue Jays playing an hour away, and that I might actually be able to attend a game, it's just not the same as the Blue Jays playing in Sky Dome. Yes, I know the name has changed but it will forever be the Toronto Sky Dome to me.

Mark Shapiro and the front office are still holding out for the team to be able to return to the nest in Canada. However, Canada has been slow to allow travel from the United States across it's borders.

Being an American, I get many of my countrymen are entitled and irresponsible. I have read and heard statements from my fellow citizens that, "My liberties come before your life because I have the right to be happy," when talking about mask and social distancing mandates. Business owners have even said they "got into business to make money, not to be socially responsible." So again, I get it. Allowing people to come up from America poses a risk to the Canadian people.

However, Shapiro is still clinging to a chance. Saying, "Just focus on the border, recognizing anything around that is going to be a challenge -- not impossible -- but a challenge. But the only clarity exists around the border being open."

On June 1st, the Associated Press wrote, "On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his nation won't be rushed into reopening its border, which has been closed since the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020. Canadians returning to their homeland are required to immediately spend 14 days in self-quarantine."

Whither it's popular or not, Trudeau has a duty to keeping his people safe. That includes the irresponsible ones bitching because they're country is in lockdown and they have to wear masks and et-cetra. 

While the players are focused on trying to put themselves in a position to make the playoffs, the front office has divided focus. As getting the team home is a top priority. Shapiro won't give a guesstimation of when he thinks that will be.

Shapiro said, ""We want to get home. I think that's the overarching feeling, that desire to be back in Toronto. But it's hard to answer that hypothetical."

Shapiro would later add, ""We'd gladly endure hardship and burden to get home."

Whenever the Blue Jays do get home, Trudeau and the entire nation of Canada needs to make it a national holiday just for that year. The Blue Jays are Canada's team. Even if hockey is the major sport on the northern side of the great lakes.

Blue Jays nation, It's just one game.

The Blue Jays' Steven Matz had a good day on the mound versus the Philadelphia Phillies. He pitched three innings, striking out three and allowing only one hit. These are the type of performances Blue Jay fans have longed for since the days of Dave Stieb, David Cone, David Wells, and Juan Guzman. Not to say that the Jays haven't had good pitchers since the world series years, just they struggle to get a staff.

The team doesn't appear to know what to do when the mitts and ball are in there hands. The team is constantly having to put up, four, five, six, or more runs on the board just to keep up with the defensive side of the ball. 

Matz looked good in his outing today but this was his first start of 2021. People shouldn't get excited yet for him. Two of his main three pitches are a sinker and a change up. Instead pitching to the lower corners of the strike zone, Matz pitches to the center - upper center of the strike zone, and is prone to fly balls and game day souvenirs for the fans on the other side of the outfield wall.

The Birds need reliable arms behind Ryu but It's too early to start to think that the Jays' staff is more than a bunch of batting practice and homerun derby guys. It's nice to have guys that can find the plate but what good is it if they can't avoid the bats. Someplace over the last 30 years, the team forgot how to develop anything besides long ball hitters. It's not likely that the Rodgers have improved the coaching staff. So while Matz put up a good outing, it wouldn't be wise to expect a repeat performance anytime soon.

The Blue Jays Maybe A Team Without A Home In 2021.

Due to the global pandemic, the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to play at home during the 2020 major league season. Instead the ball club played 26 of their home games in Buffalo New York.

While hope is high that the team will be able to play at home in 2021, the team will start the season in Florida. The city of Buffalo will be having Bison games, the Toronto affiliate club. Thus, the stadium maybe busy if Canada refuses to allow teams to cross the borders freely.

The season is still weeks away but It maybe another long turbulent year for the Blue Jays, as they seek their third world series title and first world series birth since 1993. While the worst may have been in 2020, the pandemic is not done with the ball club yet.

Toronto has a Team Win.

The Blue Jays who have played three games less than division leaders The Ray's, still find themselves 4.5 games back.Good news however, the team played a complete game; beating Baltimore 5-0.

Walker had a strong day on the mound, pitching 6 while giving up four hits and three base on balls. Walker would strike out four without giving up a run. The Jays' relief staff was pretty solid as well, only giving up one hit.

Biggio, Hernandez and Guerrero were all pretty solid, each going two for four. The Blue Jays would have nine hits. The team who's been exiled to Buffalo, will host the Orioles again on Sunday as they look to try to climb out of third in the east.

Toronto: Saved by the Bat

The Toronto Blue Jays had an unscheduled night off on Thursday as the Red Sox chose to protest. The Blue Jays were 4.5 games back, so the question was, would the extra day of rest hurt or help Toronto?

Friday would see the Blue Jays hit three home runs. Grichuk hit his 9th, Hernandez hit his 12th, and Vlad Jr would hit his 5th. Unfortunately, the team would only have eight hits and only two base on balls.

Ryu would have a strong outing pitching six full and striking out seven. He would give up eight hits and two base in balls with two runs. However, he was still in line for the win as the Jays started the seventh up bye one.

Romano would allow the Orioles to tie things up in the top of the eight. And Dollis would give up the lead run in the tenth. However, Toronto's bats would not allow the bullpen to blow it, as they kept the season alive by scoring two runs to end the game.

Blue Jays beat Bo-Sox 9-1, still 4.5 games back.

On Saturday the 22nd of August, the Toronto Blue Jays found themselves in a good spot as they were only 2.5 games back of the division behind the Ray's. A lot has changed, as by the end of Wednesday night, they were 4.5 games back.

Shun Yamaguchi took the mound for the Blue Jays and gave them four solid innings, only giving up a run as he picked up the W. On 2 hits and two base on balls, while striking out a pair of soxs. The rest of the staff would only allow 1 hit and 1 base on balls.

Grichuk, Tellez, Guerrero, and Espinal would all have good days at the plate, with two hits each. Hernandez, Gurriel, and Espinal would all find bases via walks. While Tellez would hit two homers and Grichuk would also send one to the bleachers.

All in all, the Blue Jays picked up 9 runs on 11 hits to score the victory. The Jays are 15-14, 4.5 games back. The club is barely holding on to the last wildcard spot. Not to sound like a broken record but the Blue Jays control their own destiny. 

Once the post season starts, anything can happen. 20 years from now, nobody's going to care about an asterisk next to their world series title. The team has one goal this year, "Win this one for Tony."

Toronto's bats once again fail to show.

On Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays were in a good spot. The team was 2.5 games back of the division winner and were on a winning streak. 

Ryun would take the mound for the Blue Jays and would pitch 5 full innings. Ryu  had a respectable outing, striking out 6, while giving up 3 hits and a run.  The rest of the staff had a fantastic day, up until Bass gave up the winning run in the 10th.

The Jays would be walked 6 times but the bats failed the team, not showing up. The Blue Jays would only get 5 hits.

Toronto now falls back to 3.5 games back of the division. The team's record is 13-12, with the expanded 16 team playoffs. The Blue Jays currently hold the last American League spot.  

Toronto needs to come together now, as one cohesive unit. The team has the greatest inspiration they could have, with that Number 1 patch on their uniforms. The Jays need to win this season for Tony.

Toronto now only 2.5 games back

The Toronto Blue Jays would jump out to an early lead Port Tampa Bay would come back and tie it up in the 6th. The game of go into the 10th, where are the Blue Jays would put up a pair of runs. The Rays would try but would only manage to score a single run as they fell short.

Shoemaker would end up pitching into the sixth inning but would have loved two more runs and get yanked. He allowed four hits and a base on ball while striking out six for the day.

Hernandez and Vlad Jr would each homer, as part of Toronto's 10 hit day. Biggio and Drury would each score a pair of runs, as Hatch picks up the win. The Jays are now 2.5 games back of the division. 

Toronto Gives up 6 in the first and still wins 9-8.

The Toronto Blue Jays entered the second game of their double header at .500 on the year and 4 games back of those hated New York Yankees. The only team that can cause division rivals to root for each other as long as it leads to a Yankees loss.

Toronto now finds themselves sitting at .522, 3.5 games back of the Yankees; they swept the Phillies to bring their record to 12-11.

Thornton almost costed the Blue Jays the game early, giving up 6 runs while pitching 2/3s of an inning in the first. The Jays' relief staff would only surrender 4 more hits and 2 more runs. Anthony Kay would pick up his second win the year, despite giving up 2 hits and a run in his inning of relief.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr would go 1 for 2 with 2 base on balls. Hernández and Gurriel Jr would each go 2 for 4. The Blue Jay's had a 7 run six inning that propelled them to victory.

With the 2020 playoff format, Toronto's season is theirs to lose. They are in a good position to make playoffs and possibly their third world series in 30 years.

Blue Jays win game one of double header

Toronto found themselves a game back of .500 entering Wednesday as they had to make up two game versus the Phillies. Game one was a success for the club that Canada exiled.

Chase Andersen would start and go 3 2/3 innings surrendering 2 runs on an error, 4 hits and 1 walk. The Blue Jays bullpen would so their job as they would only surrender two more hits and without giving up another run.

Biggio would get two hits and a walk, while Vladimir Guerrero would go 2 - 4 with a run scored. In total the the Blue Jays would pick up 11 hits, as Romano picks up the 3-2 victory.

As of 4:30 pm est, the Blue Jays are at .500 and 4 games back of the New York Yankees.  Toronto is currently in the middle of a double header to make up a game from August 1st. Due to a covid-19 out break that took place in the MLB.

Toronto beats Baltimore, moves to 10 - 11 on the season.

Toronto is now a game under .500 as they beat the Orioles 5-2 bringing their record to 10 wins, 11 loses. 

Roark pitched five full innings and gave up nine of the Orioles ten hits. Roark would give up one earned run and one base in balls, while striking out five. He would also surrender one unearned run.

None of the Blue Jays' hitters stood out as Shaw, Grichuk and Biggio each scored. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went one for four on the day as Toronto only had 11 hits.

Toronto is now 5 games back of New York as it makes a playoff run. Every game is a must win situation and the Blue Jays should treat every game like a playoff game.

Blue Jays climb to 9-11, 5.5 games back

The Blue Jays climbed back to 9-11 after a 8-7 victory over Baltimore. Toronto is 5.5 games back and tied for 9th place. With the 16 playoff team format, Toronto should be a game and a half out of a playoff spot.

On Tuesday Pearson gave up 5 earned runs in 4 innings pitched. He also gave up 3 base on balls and 4 hits while striking out three. Yamaguchi and Cole would each surrender a run in a combined 2 and 2/3 innings.

Toronto would score two runs in the third and five in the fifth. Toronto wouldn't score another run until the top of the tenth. 

Biggio, Grichuk, and Shaw would each have a  big day scoring two runs each. Grichuk had 4 RBIs and Shaw had 3 RBIs on the day. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Went 0 for 4 with a base on balls.

Blue Jays' season on life support after losing two on Sunday.

On Sunday,  the Toronto Blue Jays would compete their game from Saturday and play another game against the Devil Rays. Toronto would not fair so well.

In the first game, The Jays Bats would be cold but the pitching staff would attempt to make up for it. The Jays would lose 3-2.

In game two, the Jays would take an early lead scoring 2 runs in the first. Shoemaker would not make it passed 4 innings. Allowing 3 earned runs on three in the fourth. Shoemaker would pitch 4 complete innings striking out seven, while giving up three hits and a walk. 

The Jays would reclaim the lead in the bottom of the fourth scoring 3 more runs. The Jays Waguepack and Font would each come in for relief and surrender a run. The Blue Jays would also surrender an unearned run to lose the game 7 to 5. 

Toronto could only muster 9 hits and a base on ball in game two. The team that is built to put Balls in the stands is also built to give up runs. I don't know if this is to keep things exciting but the Jays have to make a change in how the team is built. If the team is going to be built on long ball, they have to pay up and get some aces and quality relief pitchers.

Toronto falls to 7 - 11 on the season and will can pretty much kiss the season good bye unless the team goes on long win streak and gets help. Some how this is Canada's fault for not letting the team play at home.

Speaking of 7 11, in football news Chris Hogan has signed with the New York Jets. Since the Blue Jays season is just about all but over, might as well share some news that might effect the Patriots. A team that knows how to consistently win. 

Blue Jays win, four games back of New York.

Tanner Roark took the mound in a must win game for the Toronto-Buffalo Blue Jays. Roark would allow four hits and four base on balls. He pitched four innings and allowed three earned runs.

The Blue Jays would come back as Tampa Bay would surrender five runs in the sixth. The Jays weren't done there, as they scored another four runs in the bottom of the eight giving them a twelve to four victory.

The Jays managed ten hits and had five men who reached the base pads via walks. Currently, the club is batting .233 with 23 homers. The team also has an era of .403.

The Blue Jays are 4.5 games behind the yankees. If the club is going to make a push this year. Their batting average and era must improve substantially. This is a shortened season. Ascaris or not the team still has a chance at a world series run. All that matters is the W. 

Blue Jays score eleven and still cannot find a way to win.

For most fans, hearing your  baseball team scored eleven runs is cause for celebration. Not if you're a Blue Jays' fans. The first reaction from a Blue Jays' fan is, "and the other team?" The fanbase has good reason to be like that.

The Blue Jays would hit seven homers in this game, at home in Buffalo. Bo Bichette would also get five hits on the day. The Blue Jays would get eighteen hits altogether, on the teams way to eleven runs. Everything sounds good but then we have to remember the team also has to pitch.

Nate Pearson gave up four earned runs in two and a third innings. Waguespack and dolis would also each give up two runs in a combined three innings. Toronto would go through seven members of their bullpen. The Blue Jays would give up six unearned runs, allowing fourteen runs on fourteen hits.

There was one bright spot for the pitching staff. Wilmer Font came in and didn't give up a run for once. The guy is normally as useful as pitching machine in a batting cage. To quote Bill Belichick, "were on to Thursday".

Buffalo returns to the MLB in glorious fashion

One hundred and five years after the last major league baseball team told Buffalo to kiss their coattails, the Buffalo Blue Jays took the field vurses the Covid Marlins of Miami.

Hyun-Jin Ryu finally pitched a respectable six innings for Buffalo. Giving up one earned run on two hits and two base on balls, while striking out seven.

Anthony Bass would try to surrender the game to the Marlins in the ninth but failed, as he would only be able to give up three runs. Buffalo would go on to beat the sick fish five to four.

This was a typical style win for the Blue Jays who now call Sahlen Field home after the Canadian government kicked the Blue Jays out of their nest at Rogers Centre formerly known as Skydome. 

The Blue Jays will get to enjoy all the  Zweigles White Hots, Boss Sauce smothered meats, and Garbage Plates they can handle while in Buffalo. Maybe, this can be the start of a yearly tradition of playing a series in Buffalo.

Toronto appears to have given up on the season.

The Toronto Blue Jays took on the division rival Boston Red Sox on Friday. This was a must win for both teams as neither team possessed a winning record.

It was Roark who took the mound  for the Blue Jays. Roark picked up the loss as he only went three innings. Roark gave up four earned runs on three hits and five base in balls.

Dolis would come in and pitch one inning in the eighth. Dolis gave up one run on two hits, while striking out three hitters.

Biggio,  Bichette, and Guerrero would each drive in a run. Tellez and Guerrero were each walked twice. But the Jays bats could not do anything, as they left the runners on base with their eight hits. 

Every game counts, if the Jays are not going to make an effort to win, they might as well play their younger talent try to develop them. These are not your father's or grandfather's Blue Jays. There's too much dysfunction in the organization.

Font costs the Blue Jays another game.

Ten games into the season and the Toronto Blue Jays are 4 - 10 on the year. There is only 50 games left and every win counts. The Blue Jays lost two of the three games against the Braves.

Nate Peareon gave up three runs on two hits and three base on balls in 5 innings pitched.  The Jays battled back, scoring two in the 7th to tie it up but that was all the offense they could muster.

Toronto had 5 hits going into the Bottom of the ninth, when they brought in Font to pitch. Font has an era of 3.66 and gave up four runs in the 4th. Font would get one out before giving the game to the Braves, allowing a run in the 9th. 

Toronto Travels to Boston on Friday for some division ball. The Red Sox are the only team worse than the Blue Jays in the east with a 4-8 record. Both teams have to consider this a must win situation. 

Toronto aka Buffalo beats Atlanta

After getting humiliated on Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays climbed one game back of .500 as they beat the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta 2-1. This is an anomaly as normally the team doesn't win if they're not scoring a minimum four runs.

On the mound was the newest ace for the Canadian ball club, Mr. Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ryu had a solid performance, striking out eight and walking three with a hit during his five complete innings.

It was a lackluster day for the Jays' bats, only getting five hits. Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr both managed to score a run as Ryu picked up his first win. 

Toronto will play the Braves at 7pm Thursday night in hope's of breaking even. With nine games down, every loss puts the team one step closer to being eliminated from playoff contention in this sixty game season.

Blue Jays fall 10 - 1

There was high hopes for Shoemaker on tuesday as he took the mound against the Braves in Atlanta. There was also hope that after a long rest, the Blue Jays' bats would get hot.

Once again, Toronto's starter failed to pitch five full innings. Shoemaker went four and two thirds innings. He gave up six earned runs in six hits and three base in balls. Striking out two. Font would later come in and give up four more runs on five hits in the bottom of the eight.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr went two for three with a base on ball and a run scored. The rest of the bats could only muster three more hits, as they fell ten to one. The Blue Jays look to even the series tonight at 7pm eastern time. 

Hopefully, the Jays' Major league squad shows up for this one, their A league team isn't cutting it. Even Red Sox's fans are like, "Least we're not cheering for Toronto."