The mid-summer classic is taking place tonight in the Big Apple, as the MLB’s biggest and best play host to the All Star game. With many players getting the weekend off to rest and visit family, it is time for management and coaching staff to re-evaluate their squads and where they stand heading into the second half of the season.
In the Toronto Blue Jays’ case, there is much to be reviewed after a less-than-average first half of the season. The Jays are currently last in the American League East Division at 45-49, 11.5 games back of the division-leading Red Sox, and 8.5 games back of the 2 wild-card spots.
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After a summer spending spree by Alex Anthopolous, Jays Nation is growing impatient with the performance of their team to this point given all the hype at the beginning of the season.
It is safe to say that the most successful part of the Blue Jays to this point in the season, is the bullpen. If you recall my post at the beginning of the season, I said that the biggest worries for the Blue Jays this season would be their bullpen. They’ve proved not just myself, but everyone wrong. Casey Janssen has been the rock at the back of the bullpen, with only one blown save and 18 saves. Dustin McGowan’s return from a nagging shoulder problem has really solidified the pen with a power-arm that is more than capable of going 2-3 innings. Steve Delabar and Brett Cecil both received an All-Star invitation with their stellar first halves, and Darren Oliver, Juan Perez, Brad Lincoln, and Neil Wagner have all played an integral part keeping the Blue Jays in games. It is the run support that has let these guys down, and has basically proven their efforts all for nothing.
Steve Delabar’s career almost ended a few years ago after an arm injury. He is back, better than ever, and has been a solid eighth-inning set-up man. (Dave Abel/Toronto Sun)
The Toronto Blue Jays boast, easily one of the most potent offences in the Major Leagues (that is when they’re playing well). They have guys who can hit the ball, and can hit for power as well. As a team, the Jays are tied for tied for second in the leagues in home-runs, and tied for seventh in runs-batted-in. However, the Blue Jays have lacked runs when the game counts. Too many times, runners have been stranded on base, and it’s seriously hurting their chances at winning ball games. The Blue Jays could be better at getting on base; they are tied for 15th in On-Base-%. But even when they do get on, they fail to drive them in.
Players have gone cold after hot starts; Colby Rasmus and J.P. Arencibias’ production have really dropped the last month. And surprisingly, you can Jose Bautista’s name to this list. The man who was deemed ‘THE GUY’ on the Blue Jays, has only one home-run and 5 RBI thus far in July, and has an average just above .250. Not sure he deserved an All-Star nod. Thank the good Lord for Edwin Encarnacion who has been the Jays most consistent threat at the plate. He his hitting .264 with 25 HR and 72 RBI. Adam Lind has also been a pleasant surprise as he leads the team in batting average. Jose Reyes is just getting back into the swing of things (no pun intended) after missing almost 3 months with an ankle injury. Brett Lawrie, who is recovering from an injury as well, has failed to contribute when healthy; giving him extra time with their minor affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, should be beneficial in giving him opportunity to find his swing again. If the Blue Jays are to have a better second half, they must be consistent at the plate with runners in scoring position.
Jose Bautista has struggled the last month. The leader of this team cannot get hot under the collar, as we have seen before, if the Jays have any hopes of making a run in the second half. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)
Perhaps an even bigger disappointment is the Blue Jays starting rotation. When Steve Delabar has the same as, or more wins than 4-out-of-5 starters, you know your rotation sucks. R.A. Dickey is the only Jays pitcher with more than 5 wins. Josh Johnson is stuck on 1, Mark Buehrle has 5, Esmil Rogers has 3, and Brandon Morrow has 2 (Todd Redmond is currently taking Morrow’s place in the rotation as he has been out since July 1st with a forearm strain). It’s not to say that the Jays have lacked quality starts, because they’ve actually had their fair share of them, but they also haven’t received the run support either. Blue Jays starters’ have also been prone to the early-innings melt-downs (i.e. the second inning). It seems like this inning haunts the Jays almost every game. I don’t know how to explain it, or come up with a reason for it, but they just seem to fall apart in the second inning, and then bring it back together for the rest of the game. But by then, it’s too late because they’ve already given up a humungous lead. It doesn’t help that the Blue Jays are in the bottom third of the league in ERA and WHIP, in HRs given up, hits allowed, and walks given. This rotation needs to fix things in a fast or some of these new faces may not have the chance to get comfy in Toronto (Josh Johnson’s name has already been said to be on the trading block).
The Blue Jays come back from the All Star break on Friday where they start a three-game set with the Tampa Bay Rays, a chance to gain some ground in the A.L. East. After hosting Tampa Bay, Los Angeles (Dodgers), and Houston, the boys will embark on a difficult West-coast road trip including the Athletics, Angels, and Mariners. That road trip I think is their make-it-or-break-it stretch. A losing record worse than 3-7 on that road trip will make August and September that much more difficult.
I predicted the Blue Jays to be in contention by the All Star break, and currently, they aren’t. Perhaps it’s high hopes for a team that promised so much given the talent that was brought in to complement the established talent. Perhaps this team has no chemistry. Doesn’t matter what it is, the Blue Jays are not a good baseball team right now. And if they continue where they left off in the second half of the season(especially after they won 11 straight games in June), then they can kiss this season, and a chance at the playoffs, goodbye.
Now it’s your turn to decide what’s been the most disappointing part of the Blue Jays’ season so far.
Eh Sport 360 
I think the primary problem is the starting rotation, then the bats. I mean, when your starters consistently give up 4+ runs through only 3-4 innings of work (and in some instances, even less), it’s a pretty tall order to tell your batters that they need to produce 4+ runs. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to count on your bats to produce 3-4 runs consistently, but having to produce 6+ (we’ve all seen the games where the starter gives up 6 or more early, cough cough Johnson) is a bit much.
Definitely agree with you nick. The rotation can’t rely on the bats to make up runs they give up. The worst part is that the bats have gone cold, so it amplifies how bad the situation really is. Either way, valid point you bring up.