The Texas Rangers Hangover

After having 34 runs scored against them on 44 combined hits, the bullpen racking up 15.1 innings of work over the weekend, and two of the three starters not making it to the fourth inning, I think it’s safe to say the Blue Jays were happy to get the hell out of Texas.

It must have been disheartening for the Blue Jays to have their posteriors kicked by the Texas Rangers, but they are the best team in baseball right now. And it was very evident that Toronto was just overmatched in every facet by the Texas Rangers in that series.

Among all the lowlights in this series, there were a few highlights for the Blue Jays. It appears as though Colby Rasmus is finally coming around, Jesse Chavez looked great in his big league Blue Jays debut, and Jeff Mathis was one of the most effective relievers all weekend.


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Most figured the Blue Jays had a very tall order going on the road to Tampa Bay and Texas, and that they did. However, considering that Toronto has dropped the last six of seven games, it’s somewhat surprising the Blue Jays are still hovering at the .500 mark.

On their last road trip, Toronto went 5-5 through Los Angeles, Oakland and Minnesota, and that’s all anybody can expect of the Blue Jays on the road; to play .500 ball on the road, and .600 ball at home.

It’s easier said than done, but if Toronto does exactly that and plays .500 on the road and .500 at home, then they’ll need to go 41-41 on the road and go 48-32 at the Rogers Centre. That would put the Blue Jays at 89 wins, right in the thick of things for a playoff spot come season’s end.

Going into this road swing, it was expected that the Blue Jays might have some trouble with the Rangers … and they did. After all, they were outpitched by the best starting staff and bullpen in the Majors, and were outhit by the most powerful lineup in the American League.

I know it sounds like I’m making excuses for a squad that just got swept out of Arlington Texas, but by no means do I believe this is the tipping point for the Blue Jays 2012 season. It sucks to lose a series in that way, but in this instance it’s beneficial to forget what happened and move forward.

Ian Hunter

Ian has been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays since 2007. He enjoyed the tail-end of the Roy Halladay era and vividly remembers the Alex Rodriguez "mine" incident. He'll also retell the story of Game 5 of the 2015 ALDS to his kids for the next 20 years.

6 thoughts on “The Texas Rangers Hangover

  • May 28, 2012 at 6:38 pm
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    Wasn't Chavez's big league debut. He's been shitballing around for a few years, up and down between AAA and MLB.

    • May 28, 2012 at 7:22 pm
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      Whoops! I didn't even know he bounced around a few clubs already, just assumed that he was a rookie considering I've never heard his name before.

      Maybe Chavez could be the next "Org Guy"?

  • May 28, 2012 at 8:11 pm
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    Here we go again Toronto blue jay fans, looks like and smells like a rebuilding season for me. I can guarantee you any money that the Jays will finish last in Al East and probably by July or so we will see a fire sale occurring with Encarnicion, Davis, Jansen and maybe if there is a good offer on the table, then even Jose would be on the trading block. All these crap talk of the Jays brass that we are very close to the post season and can sustain it year after year can go in the trash can. The shell shocking the Jays received in Texas will linger with them for thecrestvif the season.

  • May 30, 2012 at 4:42 am
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    Dude! Step away from the ledge. It was just a bad week. There will not be a fire sale. EE and Jose are key parts of the future. They are on the right track but it might take a little longer than this year to make the playoffs as this is such a tough division (unbalanced schedule sucks). The number of needs has reduced this year with KJ emerging as a solid 2B, Lawrie as potential superstar 3B, EE as DH and Rasmus as a great defensive CF with potentially a decent bat. That leaves only 1B ( which still could be Lind if he turns it around), LF (Snider?), a #2 or 3 SP and a closer. That list was much longer last year.
    This team reminds me of the '83 Jays who were on the verge of becoming a consistent contender for 10 years.

  • May 30, 2012 at 1:04 pm
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    Rogers Communications has owned the team since late 2000.

    Results?

    0 playoff appearances.

    Rogers Communications overall wealth?

    Revenue CAD$12.42 billion (2011)
    Net income CAD$1.74 billion (2011)
    Total assets CAD$18.32 billion (2011)
    Total equity CAD$3.57 billion (2011)

    Rogers = Pathetic MLB owners soon to be pathetic MLSE owners.

    • June 1, 2012 at 3:48 am
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      They also had an awful GM until AA. You can choose to think the worse but that hurts too much. I'd rather hope for the best and cope with the rest. I was really down about their prospects of winning during the later Ricciardi years but I believe in AA & PB's process now.

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