For the second straight series, the Phillies will face a team that sold at the deadline. The defending American League champions have endured a massively disappointing season, and now players like Daulton Varsho, Kevin Gausman, and Jeff Hoffman have been sent elsewhere. (Good luck to the Twins if they hope to use Hoffman in high leverage spots in a playoff game.)
The Blue Jays’ offense has been a disaster this season ranking dead last in runs scored despite the presence of stars like Vlad Guerrero,
Jr. and George Springer. One bright spot earlier in the season was an import from Japan, but lately he’s been struggling as much as his teammates.
Opposition research: Kazuma Okamoto
When Japanese players come to MLB, they usually prefer to play for a West Coast team. But when former Nippon Professional League star Kazuma Okamoto came over, he took a different path. He apparently asked his daughter to pick her favorite logo, and she chose the Blue Jays.
It was suggested that the Phillies pursue him, but I’m not sure how serious their inquiries were. If they missed out, maybe this is a sign to change up their logo, perhaps to one that better appeals to the youth of Japan.
Despite getting off to a slow start, Okamoto had a solid first half of the season, putting up a .788 OPS with 22 home runs while playing solid defense at third base. (He won the equivalent of the Gold Glove in Japan, so this isn’t surprising.)
But he has slumped lately, batting just .208 over the past month.
The Phillies have done a relatively good job of shutting down his countryman Shohei Ohtani, and they’re off to a good start with Okamoto, limiting him to one hit in ten at bats when they faced him earlier this season.
Hating on the Blue Jays
The Dodgers are favorites to win their third straight championship this season, and that could have been prevented had the Blue Jays simply took care of business in the World Series last year.
Their misfortune this season is likely karmic punishment for not getting the job done.
Trivia
Last week’s answer: Joe Morgan showed up big in the 1983 World Series, with a 1.018 OPS and two home runs. (Too bad his teammates didn’t follow suit.) GoPhilsGoBirds was correct.
This week’s question: Paul Molitor was the MVP of the 1993 World Series thanks in part to his 12 hits in the series. Which of his teammates matched those 12 hits?
Additional thought about the series
Saturday’s scheduled starters are Aaron Nola and Max Scherzer, and I remember back in 2018 when they had an terrific pitching duel. Somehow, I don’t think they’ll be repeating that this season.
On Sunday, Shane Bieber is scheduled to start for the Jays, and I was shocked to learn that he’s only 31 years of age. It seems like he’s been around forever, even though due to injuries he hasn’t actually been around all that much. This is his third straight season shortened by injuries, and he hasn’t pitched very well since making his season debut in late June. (Although he is coming off a solid start).
As for the Phillies, the addition of Luis Arraez seems to have energized the offense. But until (if?) Kyle Schwarber can break out of his current malaise; the offense isn’t going to be all that good. The Phillies always seem to have at least a couple of players not doing much at the bottom of the lineup, so they simply can’t afford to have one of their stars mired in a massive slump.
