TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seemed to Hollywood to boost the spirits of Toronto lovers after the Blue Jays completed one win shy of a postseason berth in 2021.
“What we did last year was a trailer,” Guerrero mentioned thru a translator at spring coaching. “Now you guys are going to see the movie.”
Unfortunately for Guerrero and Toronto, that film changed into a horror display come playoff time.
The Blue Jays have been swept out of their AL wild-card collection in opposition to Seattle, losing each and every of the 2 video games. They have been close down by means of Luis Castillo in a 4-0 loss within the opener, after which blew an 8-1 lead in a 10-9 loss on Saturday.
“It’s really hard,″ said Teoscar Hernández, who homered twice and drove in four runs for Toronto in Game 2. “There’s nothing I can say that’s going to make me feel better for a while.”
Toronto has misplaced 5 immediately playoff video games and 8 of 9, courting to a five-game loss to Cleveland within the 2016 ALCS. The Blue Jays additionally have been swept by means of Tampa Bay within the 2020 wild-card spherical.
Interim supervisor John Schneider went 46-28 after changing Charlie Montoyo in July as Toronto completed one win higher than the former season to clinch the highest AL wild-card spot. But when the playoffs arrived, the Blue Jays couldn’t ship.
Even amid the ache of postseason defeat, Schneider pointed to consecutive 90-win seasons and a powerful core of stars as explanation why for optimism.
“This group will be back in the exact same spot very, very soon,” Schneider mentioned.
Besides Guerrero and shortstop Bo Bichette, the AL hits chief, Toronto additionally may just deliver again outfielder George Springer, 3rd baseman Matt Chapman and Hernández. Right-handers Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are anticipated to assist anchor the rotation.
Gausman wasn’t with the Blue Jays in 2021, however tasted his personal October anguish when his San Francisco Giants misplaced to the Dodgers within the department collection after successful 107 video games within the common season.
Gausman mentioned the Blue Jays had visions of a deep October run, and echoed his supervisor’s sure outlook for 2023.
“From day one of spring training, the expectations on this club were sky high,” Gausman mentioned. “We’ve been playing this entire season with the expectation of being in the World Series. Now we kind of know what to expect next year when those are the same predictions. We’re all excited for that. Unfinished business.”
SIGNING STRIPLING
Toronto’s greatest loose agent is right-hander Ross Stripling, who seemed excellent after moving into the rotation to exchange injured left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu. Stripling went 10-4, attaining double digits in wins for the primary time, and posted a career-low 3.01 ERA in 134 1/3 innings.
ALEK THE ACE
In his first complete season, Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA, fourth-lowest within the majors. Manoah gave up 3 first-inning runs in his postseason debut and, whilst upset by means of the result, is aware of he’ll be at an advantage for the enjoy.
“Good to get the feet wet,” Manoah mentioned. “I went out there and grinded as much as I can.”
CLOGGED AT CATCHER
The Blue Jays are blessed with intensity in the back of the plate, the place Danny Jansen and All-Star Alejandro Kirk cut up time this season. One of the pair continuously began at designated hitter when the opposite was once catching, and the 2 mixed for 29 homers and 107 RBIs. Still, that productive pairing is obstructing most sensible prospect Gabriel Moreno, who gave the impression in 25 video games this season. If Toronto doesn’t business one of its catchers, the Blue Jays may transfer Moreno, 22, out from in the back of the plate. He noticed time in left box, at 2d base and at 3rd base within the ultimate week of the yr, and likewise has performed 3rd within the minors.
ALL RIGHT
Expect common supervisor Ross Atkins to take a look at to construct a extra balanced lineup in 2023 for the reason that all six of Springer, Bichette, Guerrero, Chapman, Kirk, and Hernández are right-handed hitters. Curiously, being stacked with tough righties didn’t assist Toronto in opposition to left-handed starters — the Blue Jays have been 12-20 in video games began by means of southpaws.
SORE SPRINGER
Springer, who finalized a $150 million, six-year contract with Toronto in January 2021, was once restricted to 78 video games ultimate season as a result of of indirect and quadriceps accidents, and a sprained left knee. He performed in 133 video games this season, however skipped the All-Star Game and sat out 10 video games in August as a result of of a bothersome correct elbow that’s anticipated to want consideration this offseason. He additionally were given harm in a collision with Bichette all through Game 2.
The Blue Jays would possibly transfer Springer from heart to correct box subsequent season to decrease the wear and tear and tear on his battered frame.
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