It’s a new year and a much needed season for returning Blue Jays players and staff. The ending of last season was a shame and time could not fly fast enough to gain some opportunity for redemption. Here we are now, the 2024 season is underway; how do we feel so far?
It is understood that we may have some of the best pitching in the league on paper, starting with the rotation. Obviously there are gaps and rehabilitation that need to be solidified but the depth of the arms are unquestionable. The offense on the other hand is a sleeping dragon. The Jays have bats that have the potential to scale back to 2015 or even 75% of that potential. The issue at hand is the approach, the lack of adjustment and the inability to do a job.
Despite being only 10-games into the season, it is important to mention that amongst other clubs, we rank 16th of 30 teams in the offensive category, with an overall team average of .193. The no-hitter and one-hitter to start the year certainly does not help any of the stat-categories.
Toronto has struck out 77 times with 45 walks, only nine home runs and a disgusting one stolen base. It takes runs to win games, baserunners increase your chances, and executing your running game will put more ducks in scoring position. Toronto’s issue is that the running game is non-existent because base runners are scarce; they rank 21st in on-base percentage.
One Interesting statistic so far is batting average on balls in play (BABIP), which is the metric that measures a player’s batting average as it pertains to balls hit into the field of play, excluding outcomes not affected by the opposing defense. Toronto ranks 30 of 30 in this statistic.
That being said, how do you win games if the offense is asleep? You generate offense. I’ve beaten this dead horse for years, pushing for a small-ball component in situational offense. Situational hitting and base-running will spark offense, create turmoil in the opposition defense, and most importantly give you a chance to move a runner or score a runner. Unfortunately, each stick in the lineup is perceived as a Barry Bonds type and will not down-size in approach, to a point where an anticipated “K” won’t even change the approach.
It is obvious that tweaks need to be made in this sleep-show lineup; a lineup that can do ultimate damage when activated. Now that we got this projectile vomit of thoughts out of the way, let’s see what the home-field can offer! Happy home opener Toronto!
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