Fitzy Mo Peña was right: well.
This team keeps losing control. Then it gets back on its feet. And then somehow it disappoints again.
The Toronto Blue Jays won 91 games in 2021 and finished 4th in the AL East.
In 2022 and 2023, they won 92 and 89 games respectively, playing in the Wild Card Series each time. Each time, they were swept by losing the first two of a possible three games.
Things were looking good.
They put everything on Shohei Ohtani.
Shohei Ohtani is NOT in Toronto.
Ohtani is NOT on a flight to Toronto.
Ohtani is from Southern California.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2023
In 2024, the Jays are in last place with 63-68.
They didn’t sign Ohtani.
Vlad Jr. had a poor first half before managing to get back to his form, which is almost the same as 2021.
At the beginning of the season, these four planned (now five with the resumption of play), the series probably looked enticing for the Jays. Boston was supposed to be a bottom-of-the-table team while the Birds feasted on bad teams and crossed the wild card threshold to get into a division or perhaps championship series. Instead, they sold at the deadline and go into 2025 wondering if they’re trading Vlad and Bo Bichette for another demolition.
For the Red Sox, however, these are games they have to win. The pitching is struggling. The bats come and go. But Boston is clearly the better team here. After a long period against legitimate Good Teams are entering the soft part of the second half. It is time to cash in on the wins or retire until 2025. Even if the Sox ultimately miss the postseason, it can be a RaceYou can be in it.
Possible starters
8/26 (1): Kutter Crawford is technically still in the game, but will likely be replaced since he pitched two days ago when play resumes. Yariel Rodríguez last pitched on 8/21, but he is scheduled to pitch tomorrow.
8/26 (2): José Berríos (3.79 ERA / 4.15 FIP) vs. Nick Pivetta (4.70 ERA / 4.41 FIP)
August 27: Yariel Rodríguez (4.40 ERA / 4.42 FIP) vs. Cooper Criswell (4.41 ERA / 3.92 FIP)
08/28: Chris Bassitt (4.41 ERA / 4.08 FIP) against Brayan Bello (4.95 ERA / 4.56 FIP)
08/29: Bowden Francis (4.02 ERA / 4.49 FIP) has a no-hit attempt against TBD.
Match times and where to watch them
08/26 (1) 2:10 p.m. ET on WEEI and NESN
Aug. 26 (2) 7:10 p.m. ET on WEEI and NESN. However There is a chance of rain this afternoon, so it is possible that the first game will be a long one. Truly a wild day.
08/27: 7:10 p.m. ET on WEEI and NESN.
08/28: 7:10 p.m. ET on WEEI and NESN.
08/29: 7:10 p.m. ET on WEEI and NESN.
