jaysfan2014

On the plus side, Walker Buehler gets a shot to establish himself. Problem is, this is the last thing the Dodgers need when the team is so decimated by the injury bug on both position players and pitchers.

Is anyone scared of the Atlanta Braves yet in the NL East? They're pounding the Mets--and with a win, they'll be 1.5 games up in 1st.. that NL East has been strong, and Washington is playing better now.

And even that could be difficult--the pitching is back to being awful again, like in their 103-loss 2016 season, combined with ugly D. At this point, Cleveland can basically sit back--no one in the AL Central is going to catch them.. though the Tigers have been surprisingly good for a rebuilding team, thanks to improved pitching and defense and a competent manager. Need some hitting to emerge from the farm, though. But Gardy's done a great job so far--a big improvement over Flaky Brad Ausmus..

Twins also will hopefully have Sano and Buxton back, and Polanco is due back midseason after suspension, and they'll have Ervin Santana back eventually. Unfortunately, the Twins' problem is poor defense (notably Eddie Rosario, Escobar and Dozier) and lousy pitching beyond Berrios and possibly Gibson. Shockingly, their best player is Joe Mauer.. which tells how horrible this team is. A's are an up and coming team--but the rotation needs work. Outside of Manaea, the starting pitching has been godawful. Mariners are playing way over their head--that pitching is going to come back to haunt them, as all 5 Seattle starters have ERAs north of 4 and ugly WHIPs, offsetting good performances in the bullpen by Bradford, Pazos, Nicasio and Diaz along with their offense.. and the bench is trash. And of course the Angels are an injury risk waiting to happen--and Mike Trout needs better help than what he's got.

Goddamn, Trout belted that! O's are just a train wreck..

Basically, yes. Oakland would be in the mix if their pitching wasn't so awful. And Tampa.. is just a quagmire. Minny was supposed to be in the mix, but their pitching is trash, and we'll see how Romero does as video goes out on him after today's start.. and they can't hit! Buxton and Sano's injuries hurt..

You can't keep burning out the bullpen, which the Angels have done a lot of (126.2 IP, 2nd most in baseball behind the Padres--but at least with the Padres, it's due to rebuilding.) Plus, the Angels rotation has significant injury risk, with all of Skaggs, Richards, Heaney, Shoemaker and Tropeano having spent significant time on the DL in the last year or two due to significant elbow/shoulder injuries, and in Shoemaker's case, his skull. And Bridwell, a call-up option, is also hurt. And Jaime Barria is not close to MLB ready--especially after that disaster in San Fran. And the lack of innings from the rotation (139.2 IP or 4.8 innings/start, worst in baseball), is a serious issue. And the offense stinks. Outside of Trout, there isn't much there--part of the reason Showalter decided to walk him basically every time yesterday, and it's shown the last 2 weeks, as they've gone 4-9 since their 13-3 start, with the lack of offense the main blame. That 17-12 record is an illusion--the pyth record is closer to .500 and out of contention, rather than being a top team in the West. Getting on base? They don't have it--near the bottom of the AL in walks and OBP. And their average is middle of the pack--mostly due to Trout and Simmons.

Yet another Angels pitcher bites the dust. Nick Tropeano to the DL with shoulder inflammation. LA really has injury issues with their pitching--which is why I expect the team to be out of contention by the All-Star break.. Trout can't carry this team alone.

Well, I have a feeling the Rays will be burning Friday's starter (Ryan Yarbrough).. game's STILL tied 2-2 in the 11th.

Gibby didn't even want to use that many arms, willing to throw Loup into the fire--but it flopped, forcing them to use Carlos Ramirez..

3 HRs today.. of course, that was against a garbage Matt Moore and former Jays pitcher Jesse Chavez.

Why is Loup still on the roster? He still sucks.. I'd much rather have Mayza at this point.

At least we got the series win--but this is annoying not being able to hit a rookie like Romero--that and it's a day game after a night game, ahead of a very long day tomorrow with the doubleheader.

Betts did it again! Another 3 HR game.. but the Sox only lead 5-3.

Uh... why the hell is Zach Duke pitching vs. RHP??

This is more like the Stro-show today with his decent outing. But the Jays need some runs..

Betts into double digits in HR--10 HRs now with his 2nd of the day.

Dang it.. we didn't need that DP right now.

Argued a swinging strike by Hernandez and a caught-stealing by Diaz.

Romero's starting to fatigue--just hit Grandy with a pitch. Big inning coming I hope..

The real question for Romero will be the 3rd time thru the order--will the Jays adjust?

And Gibby just got the heave-ho.. 1st time this season.

Former Blue Jay Brett Anderson is back in the bigs with the A's--at Emilion Pagan's expense, as he was optioned to AAA.

Drew Pomeranz either is still injured or just has become awful--Royals are teeing off him.

Morales and Gurriel just wasted a run-scoring opportunity. Still scoreless.