The Blue Jays are trying to close out a long road trip the hard way again, and Wednesday afternoon brings another bullpen game as they look to finish the sweep of their final stop before heading home.
Toronto has already taken the first two series of this nine-game trip, which began in Cleveland, moved through Kansas City and has now carried all the way out west to face the Athletics. The club is trying to keep that run going and return to Rogers Centre with a perfect trip intact.
The pitching situation has forced the issue. Toronto’s rotation has been hit hard, and Jameson Taillon was back from the injured list for only five minutes before he exited after two innings last Friday against the Royals. That leaves the Blue Jays leaning on Braydon Fisher as the opener against the A’s, with the bullpen expected to carry the bulk of the work behind him.
That setup points toward a lower-scoring game for the home side, though Toronto’s offense has a chance to do damage in a ballpark that can help it. The bats will need to make the most of it if the Blue Jays want to build some momentum before the homestand.
The lineup also comes with a few wrinkles. Left-handed Brett Bateman is back in the leadoff spot, where he’s been the most reliable presence on the roster. The expectation is simple with him: get on base, and maybe put together another multi-hit day.
Facing lefty Brady Basso for Oakland also shifts the order behind him. Charles McAdoo moves into the No. 2 spot ahead of Nathan Lukes, and he’s also set to start in left field. McAdoo is mainly an infielder and has little outfield experience, but Toronto appears to be moving away from the Jesus Sanchez experiment, which has become a major problem defensively.
The one move that stands out for all the wrong reasons is Josh Smith remaining on the bench. Given the way he has hit since joining Toronto, there’s a strong case that he should be in Ernie Clement’s spot instead. Smith has posted a 1.025 OPS since becoming a Blue Jay.
However they get there, the mission is clear for Toronto: beat the worst team in baseball, pick up the win, and make sure this road trip ends with another series secured before the flight home.
In Other News...
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Clements value has always been tied to versatility and steady coverage around the diamond, yet the recent numbers have not matched that profile. His fielding metrics have gone in the wrong direction, and the bat has not offered much support either, leaving the Blue Jays with a tougher call as October nears. If Toronto wants to maximize its best lineup for the stretch run, reducing Clements playing time is suddenly part of the discussion. [Read more 🡒]
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Anthony Santander is starting a rehab assignment after shoulder surgery, and his return could quickly change the conversation. Toronto views him as a possible defensive upgrade in left, which puts the roster in a holding pattern as the club weighs what fits best once he is ready, with Myles Straw and others also part of the mix depending on how the next stretch unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Blue Jays Could Face One Massive Decision To Land A Future Ace
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The obvious complication is who else might be at the table, with the Dodgers also mentioned as a possible destination in what could become a serious bidding war. For the Blue Jays, the appeal is easy to see: a rotation headlined by Skubal and Dylan Cease would give them a pair of high-end arms to build around, but that idea remains firmly in the projection stage for now. [Read more 🡒]