2015 ALCS - Toronto Blue Jays (93-69) vs Kansas City Royals (95-67)

[herman]

The strike zone didn't help them. Whenever the strike zone is wider than the Jays think it should be, they struggle. That's because so much of their game depends on making the pitcher come to them. Can't do that with a wide strike zone. This is the Jays Achilles heel. They don't adapt their approach to hitting based on the conditions of the game. This was talked about earlier in the year. Something to the effect of if they were to change their approach, then they wouldn't be able to do all the things that made them successful hitters. Unfortunately, in the playoffs you don't always have the luxury of "tomorrow".

Remember, the Jays are a softball team. While it was said as an insult to be shrugged off, it was completely true.

I don't watch baseball much but what does that metaphor mean? They want easy pitches?

Agree with the assessment. Ump was calling the glove-side of the plate for Volquez the whole night. Got to be willing to send the ball opposite field.

Not sure about the metaphor either.

 

[TML fan]

Softball teams generally try to hit everything out of the park because of the small fields and relative ease of hitting the ball. The Jays basically try to do the same thing. Easiest way to do that is to pull it.

Basically, yes. They want easy pitches. That is, pitches that are easier to hit for higher results, like doubles/home runs. Basically their approach is to work the count in their favour so an opposing pitcher has no choice but to throw them a pitch in a spot they want to hit from. Or they take the walk. Sounds like everyone's approach right? But the Jays are really good at one thing not a lot of other teams are: The Jays have incredible plate discipline. They'll take strikes away from the power zones early in the count and just not swing at balls altogether. They pride themselves on having a great eye for the strike zone, and they do. However, as I said above, the drawback to that approach is that the strike zone is not a consistent thing from game to game or even inning to inning. So when the umpire has a wide strike zone, it's very difficult for the Jays to adapt to and overcome it. Last night was a game that had to be won with small ball. Volquez basically didn't throw a single strike all night and was able to get batters out.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Softball teams generally try to hit everything out of the park because of the small fields and relative ease of hitting the ball. The Jays basically try to do the same thing. Easiest way to do that is to pull it.

Basically, yes. They want easy pitches. That is, pitches that are easier to hit for higher results, like doubles/home runs. Basically their approach is to work the count in their favour so an opposing pitcher has no choice but to throw them a pitch in a spot they want to hit from. Or they take the walk. Sounds like everyone's approach right? But the Jays are really good at one thing not a lot of other teams are: The Jays have incredible plate discipline. They'll take strikes away from the power zones early in the count and just not swing at balls altogether. They pride themselves on having a great eye for the strike zone, and they do. However, as I said above, the drawback to that approach is that the strike zone is not a consistent thing from game to game or even inning to inning. So when the umpire has a wide strike zone, it's very difficult for the Jays to adapt to and overcome it. Last night was a game that had to be won with small ball. Volquez basically didn't throw a single strike all night and was able to get batters out.

That's the way the Jays were built and their intent was to play that way which served them successfully during the regular season.

Now that it's the playoffs, it's a whole new season in a way.  Even though the Jays beat the Rangers,  many oan see that the task is going to be a tad more difficult or different against a team like Kansas City, a team that plays a different offense from the Jays' version,  and a defence (& pitching) that leaves little room for errors.

According to analysts, the Jays offense was unable to effect or generate much of anything in regards to the KC outfielders, who covered their ground very well.

 

[herman]

Perez hugging Revere was the cutest.

 

[herman]

Bautista showing amazing restraint on that very low strike 3 call.

 

[bustaheims]

GOINS!!! GRR!!

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Only getting two in the top of the 6th felt a little disappointing, this feels worse.

I feel bad for Price, he's had a heck of a game to this point.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yup.

[tweet]655510740321701889[/tweet]

 

[bustaheims]

Price not executing under pressure not helpful either.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Ugh.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Price not executing under pressure not helpful either.

Yeah, allowing him to throw 30 in the 7th was a mistake.

 

[bustaheims]

Price not executing under pressure not helpful either.

Yeah, allowing him to throw 30 in the 7th was a mistake.

Yeah, but Price has a bit of a history of struggling in high pressure post season situations as a starter. It's a concern.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Price not executing under pressure not helpful either.

Yeah, allowing him to throw 30 in the 7th was a mistake.

Yeah, but Price has a bit of a history of struggling in high pressure post season situations as a starter. It's a concern.

Yeah, does it cost him this summer?

Does he still get $200 million and would you like the Jays to be the ones giving it to him?

 

[bustaheims]

Yeah, does it cost him this summer?

Does he still get $200 million and would you like the Jays to be the ones giving it to him?

He'll still get big money, and I'd still like to see the Jays sign him. That being said, if they lose him and add guys like Zimmerman and Leake, they're probably better off.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Yeah, does it cost him this summer?

Does he still get $200 million and would you like the Jays to be the ones giving it to him?

If you're Sid Seixeiro, the answer to that depends on where we are in the lunar cycle:

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yeah, does it cost him this summer?

Does he still get $200 million and would you like the Jays to be the ones giving it to him?

If you're Sid Seixeiro, the answer to that depends on where we are in the lunar cycle:

Hehe

Was having an unreal game till that fielding error.

Someone mentioned on Twitter that Randy Johnson had seven straight post season losses at one point.

 

[TML fan]

That's a pretty devastating loss. Maybe more so than game 2 in the ALDS. Now we see what this team is made of.

 

[Darryl]

I have the next 2 games as must wins.I can't see them coming back from either 3-0 or 3-1.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

I have the next 2 games as must wins.I can't see them coming back from either 3-0 or 3-1.

The me that suffered through the 1985 loss to Kansas City would kind of like to see the Jays go down 3-1 and then win the series.

 

[Joe S.]

I started watching the Jays in 89 so I missed the pain of 85.

This has been painful to watch but at the same time these royals are no are no slouches,  this is a good team.