What Do You Know About The Jays?
By Blake VandeBunte • Aug 11th, 2008 • Category: 2008 seasonThe Tigers will start a home series with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight. The Tigers played in Toronto early in the season and we haven’t seen them since then. Heck, they still had Frank Thomas back then. So the question is, as the Tigers start this series, what do we even know about the Blue Jays?
Q: Who leads the Jays in home runs?
A: Believe it or not, former Tiger, Matt Stairs leads the club in home runs. If you think this is a bad sign it’s because it is. Stairs is 40 years old and is well past his prime. He needs only his 11 home runs to lead one of the weakest offenses in home runs. This club has been plagued by poor hitting all season and they just have a hard time getting runs in without the aid of the long ball.
Q: Who leads the club in batting average?
A: Techincally, Adam Lind leads the team with an average of .296 but he’s only played in 46 games this season. The highest average for a guy who has been around for at least 100 games is Alex Rios who is hitting a paltry .281. Seriously, .281 is the top average on this team. So not only does the team not hit home runs they don’t hit for that high of an average either.
Q: Any speed demons to be aware of?
A: Alex Rios leads the team with 28 stolen bases, good for fifth in the American League and blowing any Tiger stealer out of the water. Rios is the clubs best player but if the Tigers can keep him off of the bases you have to like their chances at taking this series.
Q: How in the world, with this poor offense is this team a half game better than the Tigers?
A: The Blue Jays are strong were the Tigers are not, pitching. AJ Burnett has 14 wins already and Roy Halladay has 13. Halladay has a great history against the Tigers as in the top five in wins, innings, complete games, strike outs, WHIP, and ERA. Not bad. Halladay will face Armando Galarraga on Thursday afternoon which should be pretty entertaining.
Q: Whoa, I thought Cito Gaston was dead or missing or something?
A: Cito Gaston is managing the Blue Jays for a second time. His first go around as Mr. Manager (Arrested Development anyone?) was from 1980-1997 but he’s back leading the club again. The Jays fired manager John Gibbons in June and replaced him with Gaston.
Series Schedule:
- Today, 7:05: Marcum (6-5) vs. Verlander (8-12)
- Tuesday, 7:05: Burnett (14-9) vs. Miner (6-4)
- Wednesday, 7:05: Purcey (1-3) vs. Rogers (8-9)
- Thrusday, 1:05: Halladay (13-9) vs. Galarraga (10-4)
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Cito Gaston: Mr. Ricciardi, I want to work more hours at the ball park.
JP Ricciardi: …I’ll tell you what: I’m going to give you a promotion. Welcome aboard, Mr. Manager.
Cito Gaston: Wow. I’m Mr. Manager.
JP Ricciardi: Well, manager; we just say “manager.” And you can hire an employee if you need one.
Cito Gaston: Do you think I need one?
JP Ricciardi: Don’t look at me, Mr. Manager.
Cito Gaston: Right, it’s up to me now. I’m Mr. Manager.
JP Ricciardi: Manager. We-we just say, uh…
Cito Gaston: I know, but you…
JP Ricciardi: Doesn’t matter who
Nice Paul. Nice.