Toronto Blue Jays: Time for the offence to take blame for struggles
As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to lose games they should be winning, the team’s offence has come into focus for its lack of production in late innings.
When you’re starting pitching only allows one through six innings and there are concerns about the bullpen late in games, you would think the Toronto Blue Jays bats would realize the need to tack on a few more runs.
In the series finale against the Detroit Tigers, the Blue Jays didn’t necessarily need the extra runs as they held a one-run lead with two outs and only needed Marcus Semien to make a routine throw to first base. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the tying run crossed home plate sending the game into extra innings.
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At this point, Toronto still holds the advantage considering their hitting in the bottom half of the innings. The issue with that lately is that with runners in scoring position, the Blue Jays bats have gone cold.
Is that a symptom of George Springer’s absence or player’s struggling in those pressure moments? Even without Springer, this Blue Jays team should beat the Washington Nationals and Tigers but their inability to do so speaks volumes.
As Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi notes, the Blue Jays went 1-for-31, including 1-for-17 on Sunday, with runners in scoring position against the Tigers. There aren’t many teams that are capable of winning if they can’t produce late in the game.
What is causing the Toronto Blue Jays offensive struggles?
When asked about it after the game, manager Charlie Montoyo wasn’t going to blame fatigue on the team’s offensive woes.
"“In baseball right now, everybody’s tired – that’s just what it is in August and September. It’s a grind,” Montoyo told reporters. “We didn’t expect this from a good lineup like we have. We haven’t been hitting and it’s contagious. Hopefully when somebody gets going, that’s going to spread throughout the lineup.”"
If they cannot get that figured out, it’s tough to see them making up any ground in the AL standings.
The Blue Jays starting rotation continues to perform well despite the offence and bullpen letting them down on several occasions. The frustration Blue Jays fans must be feeling is certainly justified especially if there are moments where this rotation cannot continue to produce like it has.
Maybe some of the top offensive players start to find their groove but if their confidence is shaken, the veterans are going to have to stand up and play a bigger role.
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What are your thoughts on the Blue Jays latest stretch? Can they figure things out? Let us know in the comments below.