So, the Toronto Blue Jays series against the New York Mets wasn’t great.
There were positives from the three-game series this past weekend, as Kevin Gausman pitched five and one-third innings, giving up three earned runs. Chris Bassitt was even better, pitching six and two-thirds innings of no-run ball with nine strikeouts. Finally, Bowden Francis pitched five and one-third innings with two home runs given up.
That should be enough to win, right? Well, no. First off, the bullpen was meh, giving up four earned runs in 7.1 innings pitched this past week. The main culprits were Mason Fluharty (two earned runs without retiring a batter), Brendon Little (two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning), and Nick Sandlin (one earned run in two-thirds of an inning).
The bullpen wasn’t good, nor was it terrible, but the lack of run support was what really cost the Blue Jays a chance at a few wins. In three games, they scored just three runs, one of which came thanks to a bases-loaded hit by pitch. Overall, they were 2-21 with runners in scoring position, which is not nearly good enough to contend.
Alan Roden had the best performance in the series for the Blue Jays, as he slashed .333/.500/.500 with eight plate appearances. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a strong series as well, slashing .333/.429/.333 for a 129 wRC+, while only Tyler Heineman and George Springer had a wRC+ above 100. Their other regulars in the lineup – Anthony Santander, Bo Bichette, Andrés Giménez, and Alejandro Kirk, all finished with a wRC+ below 81, with Kirk finishing with an abysmal -11 wRC+.
At some point, the bats have to get going because these games are just as important as games down the stretch. Up next, they have a four-game set against the Boston Red Sox, before heading to Baltimore to face the Orioles again in a three-game series. The Jays will return home and host the Braves from next Monday until Wednesday, before finally getting an off-day on Apr. 17.
Hopefully, by the next series recap on Friday, we’re talking about a series win against a division rival.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.