Ok, we've probably worn out this meme before it even really caught on, so from here on out, we'll try to find a more nuanced and mature way to express our mancrush for the Jays' peripheral sixth starter.(Also, our affections are beginning to float over towards tonight's pink, round, efficient and gingerbearded starter. And there's only so much room for mancrushes in our cold, cold heart.)
After some early inning scuffles and a handful of deep counts, Jo-Jo gutted through a much needed seven-inning, quality-start-worthy performance to keep the bullpen rested. It didn't always look pretty, but we give our hero full marks for working through his delivery and eventually getting the ball down in the zone as he should have from the start. And had the Jays not been utterly flummoxed by Jered Weaver's nasty stuff, maybe he walks away with a meaningless win to look pretty in his top line stats.
We won't bore you too much more with Jo-Jo, except to say that he's pitched better than a certain goggled, squinting starter who still has options. So think of that what you will.
Briefly...
It shouldn't surprise that Rajai Davis might be on the shelf, as he's limped away from a number of plays so far since returning from his ankle ouchy...
You're already mad enough at umpire Bob Davidson. So we needn't say much more. Though Dustin has a nice rev-you-up-all-over-again piece on him over at Getting Blanked. He's a curious character in Jays history...
Travis Snider's been pretty great in the field so far this year, even playing a couple of innings of credible CF for the injured Davis. As for Saturday night's brutal gaffe that led to the winning run, we'll chalk it up to fatigue and focus on the vast improvements that he's shown in his footwork so far...
José Bautista is pressing, having only eeked out a couple of excuse-me singles in the Angels series. He seems to get legitimately upset after each failed at bat, but we hope that he chills out and relaxes and finds that swing again...
Finally, the outstanding Mariner blog Lookout Landing has a breakdown of the upcoming series, replete with smart words and bar graphs. Go ahead and read it, but don't go getting any ideas about what your hometown blogs should be doing in terms of prep work...
6 comments:
You were right. No need to comment. The post was perfect. And yeah, I'm being a smart ass.
Bautista's pressing for sure, but he's also getting dick all to hit this year so far. I can't blame opposing pitchers, but it's got to be frustrating going up to bat and missing a hittable pitch when you know it's likely the only one you'll see. Walks are dandy but you can tell he'd rather be hitting them out of the park. For his part, Lind has done a good job out of the cleanup spot behind him though.
Also, apropos of nothing: I don't know how or why it happened, but I realized this weekend that Yunel is my favourite player.
Travis Snider has not looked good in the field by any means.
I know protection is a MYTH!!!!!!111!!!one11! but you can't help but think pitchers are looking at Hill/Rivera in the 5/6 hole and just unabashedly pitching around Bautista. If they pitch around Bautista, they can hope to get Lind who is less dangerous. Even if Lind gets on as well, there are two auto-outs after that.
Until we get a real DH or Hill returns to form, there isn't really anything in the line-up that would compell you to pitch to Bautista.
Anonymous: You're not watching the same guy I am then.
His footwork on approaching balls to be ready to throw has been excellent this year. A vast improvement. Saving runs and throwing out guys on the basepaths. That's run-prevention.
You are silly. Explain to me what - aside from the terrible play in extras - has been the problem with his fielding.
Are you a Reed Johnson fan?
Anon, are you serious? You can't be serious. Wow.
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