He struck out eight and surrendered six hits. This time lefty Steven Matz (9-6) came through with six solid scoreless innings in his first start in Toronto. The Blue Jays recipe for success back at their home field has been early offence and effective pitching from their starters against struggling lineups from the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland (52-53) - and Springer's bat. "We're energized to have the guys on the roster we have now," Springer said, "and to be back home (has helped)." The Rogers Centre return has been a factor, as has the addition of pitchers Jose Berrios, Brad Hand and Joakim Soria through trades last week. 500 mark for the first time since a 13-6 start in April 2018. Toronto (56-49) scored all its runs in the first three innings and improved to seven games over the. "I understand it's the same thing as any other at-bat. "I was groomed to hit first my whole career," he said. In 16 games as the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter, he has gone 24 for 64 (.375) with eight homers, eight doubles, 16 RBIs and eight walks. He has three leadoff homers in five games. The 31-year-old Springer, named American League player of the week on Monday, also clearly is comfortable in the leadoff spot. Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo remarked Springer's hot bat was a product of his increased playing time since the off-season free-agent signing missed significant time in the first half with a left oblique strain and right quadriceps ailment. He already had knocked in three runs with his 4 for 5 evening that saw the Blue Jays win their fifth in six games since their Rogers Centre return last Friday. Springer did have a quality at-bat in the fifth, singling to left field. "If it happened, great," Springer said after the Blue Jays' 8-6 victory against Cleveland before 14,410 at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. That could be especially beneficial for young closer Roberto Osuna, who (understandably) has been ridden hard in these playoffs.TORONTO - After smashing his 42nd career leadoff homer, a single and double in the first three innings, hot-hitting Blue Jays veteran George Springer was not thinking cycle in his fourth at-bat. They were the least-worked bullpen in the majors during the regular season, at least in terms of innings, but Estrada's eight innings in Game 1 means the Jays' bullpen will be on five days' rest going into Game 2. This postseason, Jays relievers have worked 14.0 innings. Marco Estrada gave the Jays pen a rest.Įstrada took the rare complete-game loss, but he gave the Toronto bullpen some possibly needed rest. That Cleveland burned a few relief bullets on a night in which Kluber didn't allow a run is consolation of a sort for Toronto. Given the uncertainties of the non-Kluber portion of the Cleveland rotation, that bullpen can be expected to be used heavily in most games of the ALCS. At the very least, the Jays, by working Kluber early, were able to keep his night relatively short and thus force Terry Francona to use his bullpen. Kluber was at 37 pitches through two innings. But when you can strike everyone out, why not? #ShowStopper /JZOJjzg6Lq- MLB October 15, 2016 The Toronto second baseman exited Game 1 in the fifth inning with right knee pain. Toronto's Devon Travis may be limited for the rest of this series. Mostly because of the glove but also because of the bat Lindor will probably wind up finishing in the top 10 of the AL MVP balloting this year. Speaking of pop, Lindor made the difference in Game 1 with his sixth-inning, two-run homer to right-center off Marco Estrada. Lindor also hit 15 home runs this season, so he has got some pop. 306/.356/.454 (111 OPS+), while the average major-league shortstop this season has batted. 384, so he never showed much in the way of power. Across parts of five minor-league seasons, Lindor slugged only. However, since arriving in the majors, he has exceeded expectations with the bat. It will likely always be his glove-work at the premium position of shortstop that drives his value. Lindor, the Cleveland shortstop, is perhaps the most valuable fielder in all of baseball.
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