Each week, TSN Baseball Analyst Steve Phillips breaks down all the big stories and issues around Major League Baseball on TSN.
Manchester United Jerseys .ca. This week, he looks at the Toronto Blue Jays roller coaster first half, the teams decision to demote (and promote) Munenori Kawasaki, A-Rods social media spat with the Yankees and how some of the games top teams are getting by without a solid closer. 1) Weve seen the Jays struggle, and weve seen them win 11 straight. Are the Blue Jays tragically flawed or is this just a team that got off to a bad start? "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." Charles Dickens wrote this in his first chapter of his novel A Tale of Two Cities about the time leading up to the French Revolution. He may well have been writing about the Toronto Blue Jays first three months of the baseball season. Its been a roller coaster ride for sure. So were left trying to figure out whether this will be a season of light or darkness? A season of wisdom or foolishness? Do we have everything before us or nothing before us? Who are the Blue Jays? Theres a saying in sports: "Youre never as good as look when youre playing your best and never as bad as you look when you are playing your worst." This Jays team has looked really bad at times. They were 10-21 on May 4 and the surprise wasnt how they had lost 21 games - it was how they won 10 considering how badly they had played. By early June, things hadnt improved much as they were 12 games out of first and in the cellar of the AL East. Boy, they looked bad. But then it happened. The Jays started to look good. Really good. Not only did they start to hit; they hit in the clutch. Not only did their starters pitch better; they became the best in baseball for two weeks. Their bullpen - which had been surprisingly strong all season - became perfect as they had a 28-inning scoreless streak. Their defense, which had been extremely generous to the opposition (allowing the leagues second most unearned runs), started to make plays. Big plays. Game-saving plays. They looked like baseballs best team. So which is it? Will the real Toronto Blue Jays please stand up? I believe in them. Ive believed from the offseason, through spring training and during their awful first two months. And now when they look great. Whenever a team has a significant roster turnover in the offseason, it takes time for them to come together. The World Baseball Classic made finding a rhythm and cohesiveness very difficult as the Jays had numerous players representing their respective countries. The early injuries to Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson were particularly damaging. Reyes is the catalyst to get things going and Johnson is the stopper to shut down losing streaks. The Jays never got it going and never were able to stop during the first two months. But now theyre back - Reyes, Johnson and the Blue Jays are all back. I picked the Jays to win the division. They may not do that, but I still believe theyll make the playoffs. I like their starting pitching and that will be difference maker in the second half of the season. So this will be the best of times - a season of light and a season of wisdom. I sure hope they dont make me look foolish! 2) In his time with the team, Munenori Kawasaki became a fan favorite and his energy and personality appeared to be a very important part of the team. Was he the wrong player to send down earlier this week when Jose Reyes came back? Munenori Kawasaki is back - What time is the parade? Melky Cabrera was placed on the DL Thursday with left knee tendinitis and Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A. I know you all love him. Heck, I love him and why wouldnt you? Hes a hard worker - tough, energetic and he loves the game. Hes fun and funny. Grateful and humble. Hes everything you want in a great player. Except hes not a great player. Every good team needs a Munenori Kawasaki, but if you have 25 of them youll finish in last place. Everyone was so upset at the notion that sending Kawasaki could mess up the teams mojo. Now team chemistry and spirit is important and Kawasaki is beloved by his teammates as much as he is by the fans. But chemistry doesnt develop through mutual adoration; it comes from winning. When Reyes returned from the DL, Kawasaki became the 26th best player on a 25-man roster. Its as simple as that. He needed to be demoted. Now with Cabrera on the DL, Kawasaki is back in the picture. Theres no doubt that Kawasaki will be back in Buffalo soon. And yes - fans will be upset again. But dont panic; hell return to Toronto again in September if not sooner. 3) Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees are at odds over his rehab status and how it should be handled (A-Rod went public on Twitter with his thoughts, which GM Brian Cashman refuted). Whos right and whos wrong in the dispute? Cashman said Alex Rodriguez needed to "Shut the ---- up!" And Cashman is my hero. Do you know how many times I wanted to say that to a player or manager? Rodriguez had tweeted out his excitement that he had been cleared to start playing in rehab games by the doctor who performed surgery on him. Unfortunately, that doctor didnt have exclusive right to approve Rodriguezs return to the field. Also, Rodriguezs tweet contradicted a statement made earlier in the week by Cashman. Now Cashman was wrong to lash out at Alex Rodriguez as he did. His aggressive response toward Rodriguez represents the anger and frustration that the Yankees front office and the fans hold for A-Rod. Theyre mad about the $114 million that Rodriguez is due through 2017. Theyre mad that he may have misrepresented himself when they gave him a new contract. Theyre mad that he was injured and that the injury may have stemmed from his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Theyre angry that he performed at his his worst when the games meant the most last season. Theyre disgusted that he sent a note to a woman in the stands during a playoff game. Cashman is personally upset because he isnt the one who gave Rodriguez the ridiculous contract, yet hes the one suffering now because he is unable to make the necessary moves to improve the team because of the contract. So yes - the Yankees are upset. Very upset. There is some good news for the Yankees. The longer they drag out A-Rods return, the more insurance they can recover (80 cents on the dollar) from his disability policy. And if they stall long enough, maybe hell get a 100-game suspension for his alleged role in the Biogenesis drug scandal and save close to $15 million in salary. This relationship is only going to get worse. And just think, they have just over four more seasons together. 4) Foul Ball Every time I think I know a little bit about baseball, things happen and I really start to wonder. I believe championship teams need solid, stable closers. All outs are not equal. There is a reason why some guys can handle pitching the ninth inning and some guys cant. The last out of the game is the toughest out. I have always preferred veteran experienced closers. I want a guy who has failed before. Its easy to handle earning the save and winning games. Not everyone can handle the mental anguish of blowing a game in the ninth inning. Even the best closers will blow a save every now and then but they have the ability to flush out the negative thoughts and get back on track. If they dont get it right one time, they get it right the next time. This all makes sense, doesnt it? So can someone explain to me how three of the six teams leading their divisions have had serious closer problems this year? How is it that one team has a nearly perfect closer who in the past couldnt pitch in the seventh or eighth innings, let alone the ninth? The Boston Red Sox are now on their third closer of the season - Koji Uehara. The first two lost their jobs due to injuries and poor performance. The Detroit Tigers let Jose Valverde out to pasture last winter and then re-signed him in May because rookie Bruce Rondon imploded in the role. Valverde then reminded the Tigers why they let him go in the first place and they have released him again. The Arizona Diamondbacks were counting on J.J. Putz to close, but when he got hurt they gave the job to Heath Bell who had an ERA over 5.00 last year and is headed that way again this season. The Pittsburgh Pirates have had an unbelievable season so far. Their closer Jason Grilli has saved 26 of 27 games and has a 1.82 ERA. Grilli was once a four-run pitcher - meaning that he was okay to pitch when his team was four runs up or four runs down. If the game was close, he tightened up and made bad pitches. So who is the guy on the mound now? So far this year, everything I believe about the importance of a closer has been crushed. Yet I hold steadfast in my opinion. The instability of the closers on these teams will cost them. It may or may not keep them out of the playoffs, but at some point it will cost them. Unfortunately, it will likely happen when the games mean the most. Here is my vow: If for some reason I dont get it right this time and closers arent that important, I am going to bounce back and get it right the next time. Maybe I should have been a closer.
Sergio Romero Jersey . A groundswell for raising the number of playoff qualifiers to seven in each conference figures to get plenty of support from the 32 owners. Most notably, Arizonas Bill Bidwill, who saw his Cardinals go 10-6 and not get in, while Green Bay (8-7-1) qualified by winning the NFC North.
Antonio Valencia Jersey . In this weeks Leaf Report podcast, James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel debate whether Toronto can continue their shootout dominance and discuss what Dave Nonis game plan should be heading into the trade deadline.KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Jim Rice didnt do it. Neither did Mark McGwire, Albert Pujols, Jim Thome, Barry Bonds nor any other opposing slugger who played at Kansas City. Carlos Santana hit five home runs in a series at spacious Kauffman Stadium, connecting for two more shots Sunday and leading the Cleveland Indians over the Royals 10-3. Santana tied a team record for homers in a series, finishing off this four-game set with a pair of two-run shots. He has homered in three straight games, and has hit six home runs in six games. "I know Im hot, but Im taking the same approach," Santana said. "This can happen in this game when a player gets focused. Its a help to the team." Santana and the Indians ended a four-game losing skid and stopped the Royals five-game winning streak. Santana went 3 for 3 and reached base in all five plate appearances, including drawing his major league-leading 72nd walk. The switch-hitter homered in a four-run fifth inning and hit another drive in the ninth for his fifth career multihomer game and his second of the series. "It was pretty impressive to watch," teammate Mike Aviles said. "Everybody knows how big he can be. He was able to drive some balls out of the park consistently from both sides." "Watching him all season, he has an unbelievable eye. I know his average isnt where he wants it to be, but he got off to a slow start. But even through his struggles early in the year, he was able to find ways to get on base. You knew with a guy like him it was only a matter of time before he got back on pace." In his past six games, Santana is 14 for 23, including three doubles and 10 RBIs. "Hes hot as a firecracker," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "Hes hitting home runs right-handed. Hes hitting home runs left-handed." Ryan RRaburn and Yan Gomes also homered for the Indians, who had lost six straight at Kauffman Stadium.
Matteo Darmian Jersey. Danny Salazar (3-4) gave up three runs and seven hits over seven innings. He walked none and struck out seven. Bruce Chen (2-3) allowed up six runs and eight hits in five-plus innings. Nick Swisher hit an RBI single in the Indians seventh to end an 0-for-21 streak. Billy Butler had three hits for the Royals, including an RBI double. He had homered in his previous two games, but Santana equaled Butlers season home run total in the series. "Santana has got a lot of pop," Butler said. "Hes in one of those zones. A lot of guys get hot, but dont hit four homers in a series. Five, sorry, I missed one. It just shows you how impressive it is. Hes very talented, a very strong guy." Santana is the first player to hit five home runs in a series since Hunter Pence for San Francisco against the Dodgers last September. Santana tied an Indians record for most home runs in a series. The others were Hal Trosky (1934), Joe Carter (1989), Albert Belle (1995), Matt Williams (1997) and Travis Hafner (2004). Hafner did it in two-game series against the Angels. NOTES: After missing five games with back problems, SS Asdrubal Cabrera started for the Indians. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall was held out the second straight game with a stomach virus. ... Royals RHP Wade Davis has not allowed an extra-base hit this season in 44 2-3 innings. ... The Indians will activate RHP Justin Masterson on Friday and start him against Texas. Masterson, a 14-game winner last year, is on the disabled list with right knee inflammation. ... Chen picked Aviles off first to end the third inning. It was Chens 45th career pickoff, which ranks fourth among active pitchers. ... Three of Raburns seven hits against Chen are home runs.
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