*Putting Hands in my Pocket, Whistling*(Kansas City Royals (35-53) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (47-42))
So here’s the deal: We know the news. We are all aware of Charlie Montoyo’s dismissal. I am aware of Charlie Montoyo’s dismissal. I also am aware that it’s a pretty big deal.
Therefore, I’ve decided that the firing of José Carlos Montoyo warrants its own post, as opposed to being a smaller section in a post, sharing page space with something called “Best Bird” and me being flippant about the Omaha Storm Chasers rolling into town for the last series before the All-Star Break. So expect a post dedicated to that tomorrow. In the meantime, we’re just going to pretend it didn’t happen.
OH BOY NICE LITTLE UNEVENTFUL MINI-SWEEP THERE, PRETTY WELL-MANAGED BY JOHN P. SCHNEIDER, WHO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MANAGER OF THESE TORONTO BLUE JAYS. GET ABSOLUTELY FUCKED, J.T. REALMUTO.
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TRANSACTIONS
Prior to Tuesday’s game, catcher Danny Jansen was reinstated after a monthlong stay on the IL. Most will know that Jansen has been an excellent hitter this season (.237/.292/.610, 145 wRC+), but has suffered multiple injuries that have limited him to 20 games. By all accounts, he’s generally the best between the catcher quartet of himself, Alejandro Kirk, Gabriel Moreno, and Zack Collins at managing the pitching staff, so alongside the boost to the offence, the pitchers may be happy to see him back, perhaps exemplified by José Berríos’ excellent start.
Moreno was optioned back to Buffalo to make room for Jansen. Moreno looked excellent behind the plate, contributing 2 Defensive Runs Saved in 18 games (take that with a grain of salt, obviously) and registering one of the quickest average catcher pop times in baseball.
Where there’s clearly more room for seasoning is on the offensive side of things. Moreno wasn’t hitting for much power in Triple-A, and he hit for even less with the Blue Jays, as his .276/.300/.293 slash line indicates. His power numbers from Double-A in 2021 were generally considered to be a bit of mirage, but there’s still some realistic improvements to be made, and there’s very little reason to believe he can’t make them.
BEST BIRDS
Hitter: Teoscar Hernández (2)
Honourable Mentions: Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk
Pitcher: Ross Stripling (3)
Honourable Mentions: José Berríos, Trevor Richards
Best Bird Standings:
Hitters:
George Springer- 4
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- 4
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.- 3
Alejandro Kirk- 3
Bo Bichette- 3
Santiago Espinal- 3
Teoscar Hernández- 2
Matt Chapman- 2
Danny Jansen- 2
Cavan Biggio- 1
Zack Collins - 1
Pitchers:
Alek Manoah- 11
Kevin Gausman- 6
Yusei Kikuchi- 4
Ross Stripling- 3
José Berríos- 3
Jordan Romano- 1
SCHEDULE/PROBABLE PITCHERS
Thursday, July 14 (7 p.m. EST/5 p.m. MST)
Jackson Kowar (presumptive) (10.13 ERA, 5.81 FIP, 21.7 K%, 13.0 BB%)
Kevin Gausman (2.86 ERA, 1.68 FIP, 27.0 K%, 4.3 BB%)
Wednesday, July 15 (7 p.m. EST/5 p.m. MST)
Zack Greinke (4.52 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 12.5 K%, 4.5 BB%)
Alek Manoah (2.34 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 22.7 K%, 5.8 BB%)
Thursday, July 16 (3 p.m. EST/1 p.m. MST)
Daniel Lynch (4.92 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 22.0 K%, 10.0 BB%)
Maximo Castillo (2.30 ERA, 4.71 FIP, 30.5 K%, 5.1 BB%)
Friday, July 17 (12 p.m. EST/10 a.m. MST)
Kris Bubic (6.63 ERA, 5.41 FIP, 18.3 K%, 13.2 BB%)
José Berríos (5.38 ERA, 4.81 FIP, 20.7 K%, 5.5 BB%)
THE OPPOSITION
Pythagorean Record: 34-54
Season Series vs. Blue Jays: 1-2
Record since the last series vs. Blue Jays: 17-16
Last 10 games: 6-4
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Pissbaby org.
Best (Healthy) Players in this Series:
Bobby Witt Jr., Shortstop/Third Base, .245/.295/.445, 105 wRC+
Scott Barlow, Relief Pitcher, 2.16 ERA, 3.73 FIP, 25.1 K%, 7.2 BB%
Taylor Clarke, Relief Pitcher, 2.84 ERA, 3.65 FIP, 20.8 K%, 3.1 BB%
Zack Greinke, Starting Pitcher, 4.52 ERA, 4.51 FIP, 12.5 K%, 4.5 BB%
Daniel Lynch, I guess????????, Starting Pitcher, 4.92 ERA, 4.34 FIP, 22.0 K%, 10.0 BB%