In September the Jays were 15-10. The pitchers had a 3.86 ERA.
Hot
Kevin Gausman: 5 starts, 2-1, 2.78 ERA. In 32.1 innings, batters hit .236/.277/.325 with 1 home run, 7 walks and 32 strikeouts.
In his five
starts, three were Quality Starts. He had a complete game shutout (there was only five in the AL this year, no one had more than one). His worst start, unfortunately, was the last one of the season, but then we scored a baker’s dozen runs. The Jays were 3-2 in his starts, but then the two we lost, the team scored just 1 run in each. I think the week off before his next start will likely do him good. He’s thrown a lot of pitches lately.
Chris Bassitt: 4 starts, 0-2, 2.66 ERA. In 20.1 innings, batters hit .234/.310.325, 0 home runs, 8 walks and 18 strikeouts.
Only one of the starts was a ‘quality start’, because he threw 5, 5 and 4.1 innings in the other three. He’s on the IL with lower back inflammation. The Google search says chronic pain that improves with activity and worsens in the morning (sounds like my knee). His IL time runs out when the ALDS starts, so if he can play, he would be available. He is interesting to watch.
Eric Lauer: 7 relief appearances, 3.00 ERA. In 12 innings, batters hit .141/.218/.196 with 1 home runs, 1 walk and 11 strikeouts.
Eric didn’t pitch much in September. He didn’t have a great August, but perhaps the innings he had pitched up to that point had taken a toll on his arm. He’s done well in his few innings of relief in September. He’s a free agent again after the season, and he’ll be looking for a raise from the $2.2 million he got this year. He’s 30 now, so it would be good for him to have a decent payday.
Trey Yesavage: 3 starts, 3.21 ERA, 1-0. In 14 innings batters hit .236/.323/.273, with 0 homers, 7 walks and 16 strikeouts.
He’s been terrific. It will be interesting to see how they control his innings next year. He’s at 112 this year. Hopefully, quite a few more in the playoffs.
Jeff Hoffman: 11 games, 1-1, 4 saves, 0 blown saves, 0.84 ERA. In 10.2 innings, batters hit .135/.289/.242 with 1 home runs, 7 walks and 8 strikeouts.
He’s had a good month. The walk-to-strikeout rate isn’t what you’d like, but guys aren’t hitting him hard (for a change). The question is, will that continue for the playoffs? I guess we’ll find out.
Yariel Rodríguez: 7 games, 1-1, 1 hold, 1.74 ERA. In 10.1 innings, batters hit .225/.340/.325, 1 home run, 6 walks and 9 strikeouts.
He had a dip in August, but other than that, he’s been very consistent this season. Then again, our whole pen had a dip in August. He’s held batters to under a .200 batting average for the season. He gives up more walks than I would like, but I’ll live with it if he doesn’t let anyone drive them home.
Brendon Little: 14 games, 0-1, 4 holds, 1 blown save, 2.79 ERA. In 9.2 innings, batters hit .212/.325/.303 with 0 home runs, 6 walks and 10 strikeouts.
He also had two wild pitches. He seems to have righted himself. I don’t know how anyone gets a bat on his breaking pitches, but few hit him hard. It is best to watch him with a beer in your hand.
Braydon Fisher: 9 games, 3-0, 1.59 ERA. Batters hit ..143/.286/.286, with 1 home run, 7 walks and 12 strikeouts.
He’s been terrific too. I don’t know if it is scouting, or coaching, but we’ve had very good luck with guys I would have thought would be at the back end of the bullpen.
Seranthony Domínguez: 9 games, 2.16, 2 holds, 1-0. In 8.1 innings, batters hit .172/.250/345 with 3 walks and 10 strikeouts.
He’s been excellent, as have most of our relievers lately.
Cold
José Berríos: 4 games, 3 starts, 0-0, 6.75 ERA. In 13.1 innings, batters hit .286/.365/.571 with 4 home runs, 7 walks and 9 strikeouts.
None of the three starts were ‘Quality Starts’, though he was only two outs short of it in one. He went 5.1 innings, allowing 2 earned against the Astros. He’s two short of his 32 starts this season, but he’s had 30 starts in his last five seasons. He can opt out of his contract after next season, but since he’ll be making $25 million in the next two after that, I can’t see him doing that.
Max Scherzer: 4 starts, 0-3, 10.20 ERA. In 15 innings, batters hit .348/.408/.623, 4 home runs, 7 walks and 20 strikeouts.
No Quality Starts. He’s not been good, or even serviceable, in any of his starts this month. Buck talked like he’ll be in the playoff rotation, but I can’t see that. If they start him over Trey Yesavage, there is a problem. He was doing well until September. It would be nice for him to get a ring to end his career.
Inbetween
Shane Bieber: 5 starts, 3-1, 4.03 ERA. Batters hit .243/.288/.450 with 6 home runs, 7 walks and 22 strikeouts.
Two Quality Starts. And he was one out away from another and an inning away from one more. He’s given up more than his share of home runs. Our number two starter in the playoffs?
Tommy Nance: 11 games, 0-0, 4.66, 3 holds. In 9.2 innings, batters hit .289/.325/.342 with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.
Not great, not bad. He was ok. Though in 9 of his 11 outings, he didn’t allow a run.
Louis Varland: 10 games, 1 start, 1-0, 1 hold, 3.86 ERA. In 11.2 innings, batters hit ..238/.304/.405 with 4 doubles, 1 home runs, 4 walks and 14 strikeouts.
He had one bad outing, giving up 3 earned runs. Other than that, he’s very good. Gotta like relievers who can throw 99 mph.
Also Pitched
Mason Fluharty: 4 games, 1-0, 1 hold, 0 ERA. In 5.1 innings, batters hit .000/.059/.000, with 8 strikeouts.
Four excellent outings.
Justin Bruihl: Pitched in one games. 1 inning, with no earned runs, hits, or walks with 2 strikeouts.
Tyler Heineman: 1.1 innings, 13 hits, 10 earned (67.50 ERA), 1 home run.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 0.2 innings, no hits, walks, strikeout.
On The IL
Bowden Francis: I haven’t seen any news about him in a long time. I’d think shoulder impingement shouldn’t keep a guy out for more than half a season.
Yimi Garcia: Had surgery to clean up scar tissue in his elbow. Should be ready for spring training.
Nick Sandlin: They were hopeful that he might come back for the end of the season, but no such luck.
