CINCINNATI鈥擶ith the microscope cast on every September outing, people are going to notice when a starting pitcher is staked to a seven-run lead in the second inning and doesn’t make it to the third.
They’re going to notice even more when it’s the second time in three starts that pitcher has given up six runs and the seventh time in his last 11 outings that he’s given up at least four.
闯辞蝉茅听叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 is having a rough time lately. Tuesday night’s implosion, when the wheels fell off after a second-inning throwing error by Isiah Kiner-Falefa聽鈥 although back-to-back doubles had preceded it聽鈥 led to him reducing an 8-1 Blue Jays’ lead to 8-6, throwing 66 pitches in just two innings of work and leaving seven innings for the Jays’ beleaguered bullpen to handle.
Over his past 11 starts, the right-hander has posted a 5.47 ERA and a 1.462 WHIP, allowing 11 home runs and pitching just 52 2/3 innings. Incredibly, the Jays have gone 9-2 in those games, including Tuesday’s 12-9 victory in Cincinnati.
叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 understands he hasn’t been getting the job done.
鈥淎s a competitor it feels sad and frustrating because I want to do my thing to help the team,” the right-hander told the Star in the visitors’ clubhouse at Great American Ballpark before Wednesday night’s series finale.
鈥淲e still won the game (Tuesday), so it’s great, but in the beginning I didn’t do anything for my team. But I learn, I can handle that and thank God I have another outing, so I can prepare for that one.鈥
Not only does 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 have another outing, it will come with the Jays returning to a five-man rotation, having sent sixth starter Eric Lauer to the bullpen earlier this week. Tuesday’s start was on nine days’ rest, something 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 said felt like a month off to him.
That’s not going to happen again and there is no thought about moving 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 out of the rotation.
鈥淲e have faith in him, we have confidence in him,鈥澛爉anager John Schneider said聽before Wednesday’s game. 鈥淗e’s been a big part of the rotation for a long time, and he’s going to continue to be one.鈥
His teammates have his back, as well.
鈥淭hat guy’s been one of the best pitchers in the league for like eight or nine years,鈥 said MLB hits leader Bo Bichette. 鈥淗onestly, he’s given us a chance to win most of the time. (Tuesday) was obviously tough, but there’s no lack of trust. I think probably people make it a bigger deal than it is.鈥
Schneider doesn’t see similarities between his current rough patch and the awful 2022 season in which 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 posted a 5.23 ERA and led the American League in earned runs and hits allowed.
鈥淭hat year, he made a pretty significant adjustment ... and it led to a lot more damage,鈥 said Schneider. 鈥淚t seems like this year when stuff goes downhill, it happens quick. ... There’s obviously less swing and miss with the breaking ball and I think that’s been the biggest difference, but very, very dissimilar to 2022 in my mind.鈥
Pitching coach Pete Walker admires what he’s seen from 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 as he goes through this rough patch.
鈥淚 just think he’s fighting his ass off,鈥 Walker told the Star in the Jays’ dugout Wednesday. 鈥淗e’s fighting to compete and to give us a chance to win. I know there’s some frustration on his end, but ... his ERA just went over 4.00 for the first time (since May), so he’s been pitching to good numbers. You know it’s in there, it’s just a matter of us getting him rolling again.鈥
The Jays are in a battle with the Detroit Tigers for the top seed in the American League and the Red Sox and Yankees are nipping at their heels for the division lead, so it’s no time to keep running 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 out there as a show of faith or to build his confidence, especially with a capable replacement like Lauer at the ready. He continues to get starts because they genuinely believe in him.
For his part, 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 insists he feels strong, but adds 鈥渕entally we are more strong than physically, because we know we are in the last month.鈥
The 35-year-old outfielder is once again what he has been in the past聽鈥 a player who gets it done when it counts the most聽鈥 and聽is arguably the
The 35-year-old outfielder is once again what he has been in the past聽鈥 a player who gets it done when it counts the most聽鈥 and聽is arguably the
Still, he believes that the return to a five-man rotation will get him back on track.
鈥淩est is good, but I think rest is good in the off-season,鈥 said the right-hander, who has never missed a start in his 10 big-league seasons. 鈥淚n the season you want a routine, to feel comfortable, feel a rhythm. Having the opportunity to go back out there in five or six days is going to be good for me.鈥
叠别谤谤铆辞蝉’ next start is set for Sept. 9, when the Jays open a three-game series at home against the AL West-leading Houston Astros. He’s scheduled to start three more times after that in the regular season.
It’s going to come down to him or Chris Bassitt for the fourth starter’s spot come the playoffs. And if things don’t turn around 叠别谤谤铆辞蝉 will be on the outside looking in.
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