Masterbather

Interesting, I think ESPN initially had that order as well but now they have Berrios and Bieber switched. Either way, there's no question we have the pitching advantage in this series, pretty optimistic about this one. Santander is also supposed to start a rehab today. Can't afford any more setbacks at this point so hopefully it's onward and upward from here.

Isn't Bieber confirmed to be pitching? Edit: There's an article on Sportsnet about it. I assume they would know.

I just said I considered the Blue Jays the second best team in the American League, which somehow means they suck. Okay. I've been enjoying this season tremendously. We're in first place stupid. But thanks for making my point that some people just want this board to be about fanboying, it's illegal to try to have baseball discussion that doesn't end with the Blue Jays are the best and everyone else sucks. Like it's a crime to suggest the Yankees might still be the better team, grow up.

And there's my point of the level of sheer idiocy on this board. Pure hypocrisy. It's only luck if it's other teams right?

Hey "Mr. Negativity" here to chime in on the fact that the Yankees are objectively a better team, and we have been lucky. Their run differential is miles ahead of us. We are 23-17 in one run games and they are 20-22. (Red Sox are 20-24) Let me take you back to 2021, when everyone here talked about how we were clearly a better team because of our superior run differential and the Yankees and Red Sox were just lucky (I agreed by the way). They also had great records in one run games that year compared to our .500 record, it's the primary reason they finished ahead of us, but now that roles are reversed magically those things don't matter anymore? Now I understand run differentials and one run games is not the end all and be all. I would even concede the Blue Jays might well be the second best team in the American League. Don't get me wrong, the Yankees are flawed: middle relief is wonky, the Stanton/Judge issue is definitely a problem, every team in the American League is flawed, but New York is still the best. Doesn't mean we can't win the East or come out of the American League.

I think four would be the bare minimum expectation. Obviously we want to be greedy beyond that but the Astros are obviously an excellent team even if we miss their best two pitchers and the Orioles don't suck like they did early in the season.

None of that refutes what I just said. I never said he just whines and takes days off. I said he's playing for himself and his next contract. That's his top priority. He should have played. Even as just a DH. Imagine missing a game of this magnitude because running the bases would be a bit painful. We're obviously living in a very different era. The more money players make the less fans expect of them. It's fascinating.

I don't hate Bo, I personally hope they re-sign him if it's for a reasonable amount. But that doesn't mean he's beyond criticism because he's a good player for my baseball team. He doesn't read this board, so don't worry his feelings won't get hurt. I guess we'll see once he has a long-term contract what his speed looks like maybe you're right maybe I'm right. I know how the Blue Jays have managed injuries but this is different, it's only pain and it's not a small sacrifice when it's the most important game of your season in September. If this was another point in the season they wouldn't have even brought him back yesterday, we're in September, it's a huge series things are different now. Clement is playing through a literal broken bone, Kirk had that nasty bruise on his throwing hand and kept playing because it's just pain. Bo couldn't even DH in the biggest game of the season? Come on man. I think there's reason to be skeptical.

On the bright side the bullpen was pretty good.

If Bo says he wants to play he's playing. He played yesterday after the injury and Schneider indicated it's that time of year where you got to play through things. Let me ask you this, why is he running like he aged 10 years this year? It's because he's protecting his legs for free agency so he can get the bag. Does it benefit the Jays that he's healthy? Sure, but that's not his priority. Bo is playing for Bo this year. He's playing for the bag and I guarantee you his father's influence is all over it. You want to give him a great player free pass go ahead. If he insisted on playing this game he would have. It's strictly a pain management injury.

He basically has a bruise with a small cut. It's not an injury that will get worse like a hamstring or a groin. Literally an ouchie. I had a giant knot on my shin in high school once and ran a race in pain. So now we're supposed to baby a professional athlete in a game that could help decide the division? Especially when winning the division could have a huge impact on our playoffs overall. I'd love to hear your explanation as to how this is acceptable in any way from a well-paid franchise type professional athlete. The only thing softer than athletes these days are fans.

It should also be noted that Bo Bichette is a complete pussy. His next contract demands include a lifetime supply of vagisil to keep it from drying up again. Missed one of the most important games of the season with ouchie-itis.

Home runs have been a problem for him. At the end of the day he gave up 4 runs in 4.1. He wasn't terrible but he wasn't great.

Well look on the bright side. We didn't get swept.

What's really crazy is that home run by Jackson was catchable. Was it Pages? He pulls up early on a ball that barely cleared the wall. That's like a 7-8-ft wall? If he runs through and jumps he absolutely gets glove on it. Not the kind of effort you expect with a no-hitter on the line. Especially painful given how it ended.

Well on the bright side, are we seeing Little version 2.0, the rebirth? Has he found baseball Jesus?

Yamamoto, up 3-0, and one out away from a no hitter, loses it on a home run and then his bullpen loses the game against Baltimore by allowing the next five batters to reach. s***, that's probably one of the more painful losses of the season by any team.

Easy peasy I guess. They only really needed one so nice to get the first one.

It's funny seeing Judge terrified to throw a baseball.

I wish I could quadruple like this post.

Gausman showed up tonight. Now please tell me our bullpen can get three outs without blowing this one.

Well the old adage is you never make the first or third out at third base. So at least he didn't do that.

Maybe a little bit too cute there for Clement, not a terrible risk with one out.

Another inning for Gausman? I think he starts the inning at least.

So who's first out of the bullpen? 😬