Signal

What about the 'The Barrio Brothers Battalion'? OR The 'Brothers' Barrio Battalion.' I sort of like the way how 'bat' gets included with battalion. Or just: The Barrio Battalion.

I like moving Vladdy up to the #2 spot. When you have one of the best hitters on the planet, than it makes sense that he should be in a position to get as many plate appearances as possible. And I really like Hernandez hitting right behind him - he is best suited to protect Vladdy and would make a VERY good #3 in the lineup. Moving Bo down to #4 makes perfect sense to me. He has a dangerous swing that can knock in a lot of runs, but all those ahead of him in the lineup will get on base far more than he does...so, yes, take advantage of that dangerous swing with guys on base because he is not suited for the very top of the lineup in either the #1 or #2 spots. Finally I really like Espy moved to number 9. He will valuable there in turning the roster over. I do think that Espy's numbers (batting average and on base average) will improve accompanied with better power. I think he is experimenting with his new power and possibly too anxious right now to show it off. In the last couple of games he seems to be finding the right balance of taking advantage of that extra power while also doing what he did last year to earn a .311 average. Becoming a bit more patient at the plate and willing to go the other way...instead of trying to pull everything. P.S. When Gurriel gets hot, and he will, then it would be prudent to move him up...at least one spot....

Yes, this is a real head scratcher. Gurriel seemed to be heating up and one would think you would really want to stay with the hot hand. Hope it is nothing more than just a silly decision by Montoyo.

I shall remain silent from here on out.

Well the early returns are not good.

I know, when Bo gets going he is a terror and an outstanding #2 in the lineup. No argument there. But, I find it ridiculous that you have to keep a player at the top of the lineup and in particular hitting ahead of Vladdy when he is already struck out 20 times, has a TERRIBLE on base percentage. I really do not understand why the lineup is not a tad more fluid, especially at the beginning of the year. Hell, due to injury, Tapia was placed at the top of the lineup and it unlocked something in him and he began to hit. Maybe, just maybe, going out every damn game with the same lineup, no matter what a player is presently doing at the plate is not necessarily the right approach. I would mix it up a bit and IF a player is in a terrible slump, then why not move him around the lineup...to see what might happen. I do know this, that the Jays are not putting up a lot of runs as is. If it is simply a matter of ego over team than I can understand that and well, wish it were not the case. Right now, the fact that Vladdy is not and HAS not batted second is a head scratcher. How many times has he been left holding his bat unable to swing because Bo ended an important inning?

Can someone, anyone explain to me why Bo is hitting ahead of Vladdy right now? Anyone? THIS particular little detail in regards to the batting order...has bit the Jays in the ass several times this season.

Katoh: Cock of the walk!

Kikuchi would have had that.

Once the starters settle in and the batters start producing like they can ...and Hernandez comes back...I am sure that run differential will take off.

No, we are not.

Yes, that was weak contact and if the infield were back a bit...an easy out.

Espy...with his glove and with his bat! Another go ahead RBI!

Collins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The UMP helped that rally in a huge way....by walking a batter that was struck out. It would have been two outs and no one on. I HATE when the UMPS impact games.

Kikuchi deserved a better fate this inning.

Espinal looks to be good, well really good defensively. He did manage to hold down third base last year in a satisfactory manner but where he does shine is at 2nd. Last season, he batted over .300 but extra base hits far and few between. He seems to have worked on that and has added muscle. He now appears to be hitting the ball with the velocity that can give him doubles and HRs. Espinal's soft hands have always been there. We have always seen him make the plays in the field. But this year, there seems to be another dimension to his hitting. He has proven valuable with some game winning RBIs this season. While I think it early, I do think there are enough indicators that can lead one to be hopeful that yes, he just might be the answer at 2nd. I will say this, with the addition of Chapman at third and pushing Espinal to 2nd - the infield defense is looking better than it has in some time. Once Bo gets going, Chapman finds his way and if Espinal continues to improve at the plate...with god playing first...Jays just may have something in their infield both defensively and offensively.

Yimi should start the 9th. He barely got loose that inning.

It is time for Gurriel to hit his first HR.

Jays Defense >>>>> Jays Offense.

I know many on here, if not most, think that you should not play with the batting lineup order much. But I have always preferred a more fluid lineup, especially at the beginning of a season. I know I will get flack for this, but I do think if a player is struggling at the plate, why not move him down or if a player is hot why not move him up. Springer's injury forced Montoyo's hand and he moved up Tapia to the leadoff spot. What happened, it unlocked something in Tapia. Who knows why....maybe it forced him take less wild swings knowing his job was to get on base, or maybe it was simply gaining confidence because of the confidence shown by the manager to hit him leadoff. But the move paid off. Point is, simply, that I think the Jays would benefit from a more fluid lineup early. After it naturally plays out....you go back to your standard lineup for the vast majority of the season. But right now, why not move players up and down the batting lineup? It is not like the Jays offense is hitting on all cylinders and putting up a lot of runs right now. Why can't Vladdy hit ahead of Bo right now? Why does Bo have to hit 2nd in every game? Early in the season, why not play with the batting order?

There is A LOT of swing and miss at the top of this lineup. Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, Springer and Bo get the bat on the ball.

Have to agree. Espinal made some incredible plays in the field. And a HR against Verlander doesn't hurt. Infield D is really playing well. And it appears the Jays are winning games this year that they would have lost last year. But to be real, going into the game, I did not think they had a chance. Playing Houston on the road, Stripling filling in for an injured Ryu, Hernandez out, Springer out, AND up against one of the best pitchers in baseball who has been dealing. No, this was definitely one of those games where the Jays bucked all the odds and I do think it was their defense and some timely pitching that saved their asses. That said, Chapman was clutch.

Collins should continue to catch Gausman.

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!