Stat of the Day: 3.16
Jays 3.16: For the Jays so loved the power, they gave their all-or-nothing swings and believed that the offense would not perish, but have eternal life…
…or something.
My point is this, the Blue Jays have average a paltry 3.16 runs over the course of June. It has been an offensive lull that has put an enormous amount of pressure on the pitching staff.
The sudden vanishing act by Toronto’s bats comes after the club launched a club-record 54 homers in May, scoring 164 runs (5.7 per game) en route to a 19-10 record last month.
This month, there have been just 26 homers (one per 31.2 at-bats compared to one per 18.5 in May) and 37 doubles (Jays had 64 two-base hits last month). The team hit .194 in Tuesday’s 5-4 loss to the Indians, dropping Toronto’s average to .222 in June.
The lack of offense — giving Toronto’s starting pitchers little to work with — has resulted in a 9-16 record in June. It’s not as if the rotation hasn’t been carrying its weight, either. The Jays’ starting staff has posted a respectable 3.94 ERA in June. Within that, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow and Shaun Marcum have combined for a 2.77 ERA.
What do they have to show for it? The rotation has gone 6-12. In those 12 losses, the offense has provided all of 23 runs (less than two per game on average). For all their work, Romero, Morrow and Marcum have combined to go 4-6 this month. Now, the bullpen hasn’t helped matters any with a 5.06 ERA in June.
What does it all mean? It means that the Blue Jays would benefit from a more balanced offensive attack. When the power goes out, the offense is exposed in a bad way right now. Just like low-average, high-power hitters are prone to extreme hot streaks and ugly cold spells, so is an entire offense when it’s built the same way.
For the most part, this is the offense that Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos inherited when he took over. In talking with Anthopoulos, his long-term goal is to build a lineup that includes more speed to go along with power. He uses the Rays, Twins and Angels as examples. Toronto has a ways to go to reach that point.
~JB
Major League Bastian 
From the Dunedin Jays web site:…….After the game, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was promoted to Double-A New Hampshire. Although he struggled at the plate, the Cuban prospect was very adept with the glove and will make his mark with the Fishercats beginning Wednesday.
Shortstop Luis Sanchez will be transferred from New Hampshire to take his roster spot with the Blue Jays on Wednesday..
Pitcher Kenny Rodriguez was released from the team Monday evening. In three seasons with the Blue Jays organization, the 25-year-old right-hander was 22-20 with a 4.32 ERA in 60 games, including 55 starts. He split three seasons between Dunedin and New Hampshire.
Jordan, I believe the text goes “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that if Jordan believed in Him he would not perish but have everlasting life.”
BURT: You’re speaking to a pastor’s kid here 😉
~JB
JB: You’re speaking to a Christian here 😉 If John 3:16 is, in fact, true, it is likely the most sublime utterance ever made on the face of this earth and, therefore, should be treated as such. All the best, Burt.