nextyear

Yes I am serious - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=srs

With Buerhle starting, I think that 5 runs should be enough for the Blue Jays to win.

Today's lineup for the Blue Jays. Game preview and Red Sox lineup are here - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2015_09_20_bosmlb_tormlb_1#game=2015_09_20_bosmlb_tormlb_1,game_state=Pregame

Got to stand up for freedom of speech

They don't have to make the decision on the 25 man roster today, but to get intel they will have to give Hutchison appearances from the bullpen to see how effective he can be, but initially it will have to be in low risk situations.

That is totally wrong. Don't delete BBBB postings!

I would like to see the Blue Jays start to use Hutchison from the bullpen since I don't think he will be a starting pitcher in the playoffs. I think it would be almost criminal for Hutchison not to be on the 25 man playoff roster.

Unfortunately, reading through the following story, Tulowitzki's return prior to the start of the playoffs sounds very unlikely - http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-tulowitzki-i-feel-like-im-making-strides/ . Tulowitzki gives a great interview and really sounds like a good guy, in addition to being an excellent player so this is very disappointing. As far as the infield goes, it looks pretty certain that it will be: Kawasaki Goins Pennington Donaldson Edwin (probably DH in the AL playoffs, with Smoak playing most games at 1B) Colabello Smoak Martin Navarro Carrera Revere Pillar Bautista Price Stroman Dickey Estrada (SP/bullpen) Buehrle (SP/bullpen - because he is a left-hander and can either start or pitch out of the bullpen. I can't see them excluding Buehrle because of his leadership and contributions this year, even if he just pitches out of the BP) Osuna Sanchez Hendriks Hawkins Lowe Cecil Hutchison (it might be Loup instead since he is a left-hander but I hope not, Buehrle is also a left-hander who could pitch out of the bullpen so they might not need Loup)

Not just better, much better. Before the trades they were outscoring their opponents by 0.93 runs per game, after the trades and players started playing on July 29th they have been outscoring their opponents by 2.63 runs per game.

Just a couple of interesting notes about the Blue Jays team Runs Scored (RS) and Runs Allowed (RA), which can be obtained from this link - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp#20150728 (scroll all the way to the right to get RS and RA). For the first 101 games up to and including July 28th, 2015, the Blues Jays had a win-loss record of 50-51: Total Runs Scored = 530 Runs Scored per game = 5.25/game Total Runs Allowed = 436 Runs Allowed per game = 4.32/game On July 29th Tulowitzki played his first game at SS, soon after Ben Revere was acquired and has played in almost every inning in LF, and David Price was obtained. During this 46 game period the Blue Jays had a win-loss record of 35-11. Although Tulowitzki hasn't played in every game because of injury, the improvement in defense (both pitching and fielding) over the past 46 games has been undeniable. For the next 46 games from July 29th up to and including September 18th, 2015 Total Runs Scored = 282 Runs Scored per game = 6.13/game Total Runs Allowed = 161 Runs Allowed per game = 3.50/game

At this point (September 19, prior to today's game) he is wRC+ 96 since this thread was created on September 1st, 2015 - http://www.fangraphs.com/statsd.aspx?playerid=9807&position=2B/SS&type=&gds=2015-09-01&gde=2015-09-18&season= Just saying, it shows how important sample size is.

They have a chance. If they make it, they will be scary because they will have to get hot.

I completely agree on all points.

It is tough to argue that Pennington isn't equal to Goins, however I prefer Goins at shortstop while Tulowitzki is out. I am a fan of both Pennington and Goins (and also Tulowitzki) so I can't condemn your post. It is too bad that Darwin Barney doesn't get more of a chance to play. Maybe once the Blue Jays clinch the AL East, we will see Pennington at 3B, Goins at SS and Barney at 2B in a game or two.

Now with Devon Travis (probably) gone for the season and Tulowitzki out for another week or two, Pennington has become a very important part of the team. Thumbs up for your terrific foresight in creating this thread

I searched for the Tulowitzki thread but couldn't find it, so I will put this here in the General Thread. I found the following update on the Tulowitzki injury - http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-notebook-tulowitzki-making-progress/. This sounds promising, since it sounds as though the cracked shoulder blade is not what is keeping him out: “He says he’s feeling better,” said manager John Gibbons, who spoke with Tulowitzki briefly before a 6-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. “I believe all the doctor told him was, you’re progressing, you’ve just got to let it run its course and when you feel you can start doing some baseball stuff you can do it. No new diagnosis, I don’t know exactly what kind of treatment he gave him there, the guy being a specialist, but I think the main focus is on the muscles that were involved. The small fracture, there’s nothing you can do about that, it’s really the muscles in the area that were the big focus.” One of the bad things about Tulowitzki being out, is that the Blue Jays fans were just starting to sound good (in sync) at the "Tulo" chant.

I am one of the biggest Goins fans on this forum (I like to cheer for underdogs) but I hope that Tulowitzki will recover quickly and remain healthy, and stay with the Blue Jays until he retires.

Today's lineup:

The Red Sox series will be fun to watch. Hopefully the Blue Jays can take 2 of 3 (or better).

David Price is such a great teammate. Statcast on Ryan Goins' play as requested by David Price - http://m.mlb.com/news/article/150068508/statcast-examines-blue-jays-ryan-goins-play It is tough to say if Ryan Goins can stick in the MLB for a few years, especially considering how Darwin Barney won a Gold Glove in 2012 but has spent all but 2 games in the minors this year. In any case, it is good to see Ryan Goins enjoying his playing time this year. PS: How did Ryan Goins survive growing up in Texas - http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/16/us/texas-student-ahmed-muslim-clock-bomb/index.html PPS: Ryan Goins has improved at the plate but he has been hitting too many ground balls to the 1st baseman (even when not trying to move a runner along). I wonder if Brook Jacoby can do something to correct that?

Sounds about right. I think that should win the AL East.

Very interesting. I looked it up and found an article, which states At home, he often sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber, where the rich oxygen atmosphere helps him recover, soothing aches and pains., source - http://www.denverpost.com/rockies/ci_26139000/rockies-troy-tulowitzki-adds-veteran-wisdom-legendary-intensity

The reason for watching sports is to be entertained so playing a team that is the easiest to beat isn't very exciting to me; just like watching a Blue Jays blowout isn't as exciting as watching a close game whether or not it is a win (a close win is best though). In any case, the Yankees might be the easiest to beat.