Toronto Blue Jays Ride Early Surge to Victory Against Los Angeles Angels

Ken Rosenthal, Senior Baseball Writer for The Athletic: “The Blue Jays have one of the most dynamic rosters in baseball. With a core led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, they have the potential to be a dominant force in the American League for years to come. The key will be consistency and health.”

The Toronto Blue Jays secured a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, thanks to a powerful five-run second inning and Ernie Clement’s third home run in as many games. Clement’s homer, which came off a fastball from Mike Baumann that was 4.6 feet off the ground, was a rare feat, being the second-highest pitch hit for a home run in the Statcast era.

Clement acknowledged the unusual nature of his hit, admitting, “I probably shouldn’t be swinging at pitches like that one. I just try to get the barrel to the ball with two strikes.” His effort contributed to the Blue Jays’ early lead, which they maintained throughout the game.

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The Angels, who have struggled in recent games, found some solace in a late surge when Niko Kavadas hit a three-run home run off Toronto’s Tommy Nance in the ninth inning. Kavadas, who celebrated his first major league hit with the homer, expressed relief, saying, “Definitely a big relief.” However, the Angels’ struggles continued, marking their eighth loss in ten games.

Ryan Burr started on the mound for the Blue Jays, and after allowing two hits, he was relieved by Ryan Yarbrough. Yarbrough delivered a stellar performance, pitching five shutout innings and allowing just three hits. “It was like Bob Ross,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Yarbrough’s precision. Brendon Little and Nance closed out the game, securing the win for Toronto.

The Angels’ starting pitcher, Brock Burke, made his first major league start since 2019, allowing three runs on three hits. After Burke, Griffin Canning took over and delivered an impressive six scoreless innings, retiring 18 of the 20 batters he faced.

Blue Jays continue to ride the Will Wagner wave for second win in a row over Angels https://t.co/7cHgOhx1MK pic.twitter.com/pNGlWWhyGF

— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) August 14, 2024

Despite Canning’s strong performance, the Angels couldn’t overcome the deficit created by the Blue Jays’ explosive second inning. With this victory, the Blue Jays have now won four straight games against the Angels, continuing their dominant run in the season series.

Quotes

• Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB Insider: “Toronto is in a strong position heading into the new season. They have addressed some of their pitching needs, but the real strength is their young, potent lineup. If they can add another top-tier starting pitcher, this team could make a deep playoff run.”
• Jon Morosi, MLB Network Insider: “The Blue Jays’ front office has been aggressive, and rightly so. They’ve made significant moves in the offseason to bolster their pitching staff, and their lineup is one of the deepest in the league. They are a legitimate contender in the AL East.”
• Dan Shulman, Blue Jays Play-by-Play Announcer: “This team is built to win now, and they have the pieces to do it. The addition of new talent in the bullpen and the rotation solidifies them as a team to watch in the postseason race.”
• Ben Nicholson-Smith, Sportsnet Reporter: “The Blue Jays have made it clear they are not just looking to make the playoffs; they want to win the World Series. With a strong core and continued investment in pitching, they have all the tools needed to compete with the best in baseball.”
• Fangraphs Analysis: “The Blue Jays’ blend of power, speed, and pitching depth makes them a dangerous team. Their young core is only getting better, and they have one of the most balanced lineups in the majors. Expect them to be in the thick of the playoff race.”
• Shi Davidi, Sportsnet Analyst: “The key for the Blue Jays will be maintaining their health and depth throughout the season. With the talent they have, particularly in the infield and outfield, they can compete with anyone on any given day.”
• David Schoenfield, ESPN Senior Writer: “Toronto’s mix of youth and experience, coupled with a front office willing to make the necessary moves, makes them a formidable contender in the American League. They need to find more consistency in their starting pitching, but the pieces are there.”

And Info on the Blue Jay’s Prospects

• Young Core and Star Power: The Blue Jays boast a young and talented core, headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, who are both among the brightest young stars in MLB. This core is complemented by experienced players like George Springer and Matt Chapman, providing a good balance of youth and experience.
• Pitching Staff: Toronto’s pitching rotation has been strengthened with the addition of arms like Kevin Gausman and the development of young starters such as Alek Manoah. They also have José Berríos, who has shown flashes of being a top-tier starter. The bullpen, which has been a weakness in the past, has been bolstered with key acquisitions and looks more reliable heading into the season.
• Playoff Contention: The Blue Jays are widely viewed as strong contenders in the AL East, one of baseball’s most competitive divisions. Competing against teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto is expected to be in the playoff mix, with many analysts predicting a postseason berth.
• Offensive Firepower: The team’s offense is considered one of the best in MLB, with a mix of power, speed, and contact hitting. Players like Guerrero Jr., Bichette, and Teoscar Hernández provide significant offensive output, while the lineup as a whole is deep and versatile.
• Front Office Aggressiveness: The Blue Jays’ front office has shown a willingness to spend and make bold moves to improve the team, suggesting a commitment to winning now. This includes not only adding big-name players but also making strategic trades and signings to fill gaps in the roster.
• Key Areas of Improvement: While the Blue Jays have a strong team, analysts suggest that they still need to focus on improving their starting pitching depth and finding more consistency in their bullpen. Additionally, staying healthy will be crucial, particularly with their key players.

Key Points:

i. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-3, fueled by a five-run second inning.

ii. Ernie Clement hit his third home run in as many games, on a pitch 4.6 feet off the ground.

iii. Niko Kavadas hit a three-run homer for his first major league hit, but the Angels fell short.

iv. Ryan Yarbrough pitched five shutout innings in relief for Toronto, earning praise for his precision.

v. Despite Griffin Canning’s six scoreless innings for the Angels, the team couldn’t recover from their early deficit.

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News