Series Thread: ALDS: Texas Rangers vs Toronto Blue Jays

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Figure I'll get things started.

Game 1: Estrada vs. Hamels
Game 2: Happ vs. Darvish
Game 3: Lewis vs. Sanchez

 

[packerzrule]

really good series here

going with the Rangers in 4

 

[bksballer89]

Figure I'll get things started.

Game 1: Estrada vs. Hamels
Game 2: Happ vs. Darvish
Game 3: Lewis vs. Sanchez

Thanks for doing my job. Got tired of doing all the heavy lifting here.

 

[bksballer89]

I get out of work at 430. Going to run home so I can catch this game

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Thanks for doing my job. Got tired of doing all the heavy lifting here.

LOL I started the thread for the Raptors-Heat series and that one worked out so I figured why not.

 

[Four4Four]

You just knew after that fight way back in May I think, that somehow someway these 2 teams were gonna face each other in the playoffs. Jays in 5

 

[Bulletz]

Fight!!!!!



I mean, play ball!

 

[Cedrique]

I like the Jays in this one. Their pitching staff is very underrated IMO. They both have very good offenses. I'll go out on a limb and say tonight's game won't be tied 0-0 in the 8th or 9th inning.

 

[navamind]

I like the Jays in this one. Their pitching staff is very underrated IMO. They both have very good offenses. I'll go out on a limb and say tonight's game won't be tied 0-0 in the 8th or 9th inning.

Agreed, that rotation has vastly exceeded expectations. Sanchez, Happ and Estrada outperformed their ZiPS projections by a good margin. Stroman had a rough first half (4.89 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 3.71 xFIP) but he's been much better in the 2nd (3.68 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 3.01 xFIP). Dickey was the "weak link" of the rotation and he still pitched better than what most teams get from their #5 spot (and probably #4).

 

[Erie Warrior]

I really, honestly, hope we get to see a couple of fights in this one. Hell, I'd be happy if they just let the benches clear and whichever team was left standing wins the series.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I really, honestly, hope we get to see a couple of fights in this one. Hell, I'd be happy if they just let the benches clear and whichever team was left standing wins the series.

Almost 0% chance. People were hoping there'd be sparks between the Jays and KC last year after they had some heated games in August but nothing at all happened. Expect the same in this series. Way, way too much at stake.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I like the Jays in this one. Their pitching staff is very underrated IMO. They both have very good offenses. I'll go out on a limb and say tonight's game won't be tied 0-0 in the 8th or 9th inning.

Agreed, that rotation has vastly exceeded expectations. Sanchez, Happ and Estrada outperformed their ZiPS projections by a good margin. Stroman had a rough first half (4.89 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 3.71 xFIP) but he's been much better in the 2nd (3.68 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 3.01 xFIP). Dickey was the "weak link" of the rotation and he still pitched better than what most teams get from their #5 spot (and probably #4).

On paper, the Jays' rotation appears stronger up and down. Darvish was good in August but was average against some mediocre lineups in Sept. Colby had a really rough ride down the stretch. As long as Estrada doesn't get bothered by his recurring back issues, Jays should be fine rotation-wise.

The offense is a toss-up. Jays' bats went pretty dull as they gave up the AL East race to Boston - they had the fewest runs in Sept/Oct in the AL. Texas wasn't exactly tearing it up at the same time but did enough to at least stay average. They also didn't have all that much to play for in the last, what, 9 games of the season?

Ditto for the BP - on paper, the Jays should've had the advantage but with Benoit out and Osuna supposedly okay but who knows, anything is possible. Liriano should give them some good innings out of the BP, though.

If the Jays can take one in Arlington, I think they can win the series without having to go back to Texas.

 

[Jekku]

This is perfect because I get home at 3:30. Hour to hype and watch the game. Should be a great series. By guess is it goes to 5.

 

[navamind]

On paper, the Jays' rotation appears stronger up and down. Darvish was good in August but was average against some mediocre lineups in Sept. Colby had a really rough ride down the stretch. As long as Estrada doesn't get bothered by his recurring back issues, Jays should be fine rotation-wise.

The offense is a toss-up. Jays' bats went pretty dull as they gave up the AL East race to Boston - they had the fewest runs in Sept/Oct in the AL. Texas wasn't exactly tearing it up at the same time but did enough to at least stay average. They also didn't have all that much to play for in the last, what, 9 games of the season?

Ditto for the BP - on paper, the Jays should've had the advantage but with Benoit out and Osuna supposedly okay but who knows, anything is possible. Liriano should give them some good innings out of the BP, though.

If the Jays can take one in Arlington, I think they can win the series without having to go back to Texas.

Lewis was outpitching his peripherals by more than a run before he got hurt, not really surprised he's struggling.

Jays offense struggled, but they seem like they could go off on a huge tear at any moment. I wouldn't be surprised if they make another deep AL run (maybe WS) if the offense starts scoring again.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Lewis was outpitching his peripherals by more than a run before he got hurt, not really surprised he's struggling.

Jays offense struggled, but they seem like they could go off on a huge tear at any moment.

For sure. Definite tale of two halves there.

 

[Bulletz]

Damn, I just noticed Texas got outscored 36-21 by Toronto this year.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Heart goes Jays, head goes Rangers

 

[Omar 382]

Heart goes Jays, head goes Rangers

Head in one place, heart in another, please pardon my brother.....

 

[Jekku]

Go jays!

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Damn, I just noticed Texas got outscored 36-21 by Toronto this year.

Seems to me that the Blue Jays are pretty clearly the better team. Comparable offenses, but Blue Jays' staff is much better.