Tip of the Tower
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Toronto Blue Jays are still struggling to break even in 2017

By Tyler Partridge

Jun 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) is relived in the sixth inning of their MLB baseball game with the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 6, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) is relived in the sixth inning of their MLB baseball game with the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite fighting their way back from a horrid April, the Toronto Blue Jays have still played all of 2017 below .500.

The lowest point of the year was on April 28, after a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays when the club fell to 11 games below .500 with a .261 winning percentage. After a robust May, the Toronto Blue Jays has clawed its way back to just one game from breaking even on the season.

They will again face off against Tampa, this time trying to reach their best record all season.

Toronto has struggled mightily when trying to reach that elusive .500 mark, going 0-5 so far this year. Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre, they will look to reverse that trend.

In those five games Toronto has compiled some horrific numbers being outscored 37-14.

Here are the results from those five match ups:

04/05 @BAL L 3-1
04/07 @TB L 10-8
06/01 VS. NYY L 12-2
06/03 VS. NYY L 7-0
06/05 @ OAK L 5-3

Although the Jays have been in three of those contests the overall team stats have been shocking.

On the pitching front they have allowed 7.4 run per game – never a winning formula. The overall Jays ERA has been 7.93 over that span and the starters have allowed 21 runs in 23.1 innings – for an 8.10 mark.

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The starters of those five games were JA Happ for two, Francisco Liriano, Joe Biagini, and Marco Estrada for one a piece.

So the horrible performances cannot be blamed on the depleted rotation – no Mike Bolsinger, Matt Latos, or Casey Lawrence starts in the mix.

In 42 innings, Toronto pitchers have given up 11 home runs, including Jason Grilli giving up four long balls in one inning during a 7-0 loss to the Yankees on June third.

The offense has also been uncharacteristically bad during those games. It’s worth noting that these five games were not during the wrath of injuries to Toronto’s bats – Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki were healthy for all five.

The Jays batted .210 during that span, well below their season .243 mark and they have a struck out an unsightly 48 times.

The full strength team only scored 2.8 runs/per game during that span versus 4.41 runs/per game during the rest of the season.

So can the Jays finally push back to .500 with a win on Tuesday?

PREVIEW

Estrada will get the start for Toronto, he’s struggled to a 10.61 ERA in two June starts versus the A’s and the Yankees. The Rays will answer with 23 year old rookie Jacob Faria, making only his second career start.

Toronto went 3-3 on their western road trip but will return to the Rogers Centre where they have 17-14 record (.548 winning percentage).

Next: Upgrading could be too costly for Blue Jays

If the Jays are going to continue to push forward this season, breaking even and pushing past .500 is an obvious must. Returning home for five may be just what the doctor ordered.

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