The Toronto Blue Jays lead the majors in runs scored with 486. That’s a whopping 77 more than the next highest scoring team (New York Yankees).
The Jays have given up 404 runs for an AL best +82 run differential.
With the top batting team in baseball, it’s a puzzle why Toronto is sitting with an uninspiring 45-46 record.
Starting pitching and the bullpen take the brunt of the criticism with a 4.18 team ERA, 23rd out of 30 teams.
(Defensively, the Blue Jays have a .984 fielding percentage which is the MLB average)
The Jays are still in contention, 4 1/2 games back of the AL East leading Yankees, but they have struggled in the clutch.
More often than not, they either blow out teams or lose at the wire.
This is reflected in a 10-18 record in one-run games. In addition, Toronto is 6-36 when scoring 4 runs or less but sit 39-10 when scoring 5 or more runs.
The Jays need to act quickly this month to acquire an established pitcher or two. If they don’t, this can be interpreted by their loyal fans that mediocrity is okay.
Since 1993, the Blue Jays have not made the playoffs. With another flirt around .500 season taking place, there is no strong indication that the longest post season drought in the majors will end this year.
Considering their lethal offence, that is both a shame and a waste.
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Major League Baseball is a third wheel behind the NFL and NBA, but MLB has the best all-star game of any sport.
The 86th mid summer classic (AL 6-3 over the NL) took place in Cincinnati, a city that appreciates and understands the rich tradition of the game.
Because of their all-star victory, the American League champions will get home field advantage in the World Series and this is where the debate begins. Critics feel there is too much at stake for an event that is a showcase of the top stars.
Historically, stats suggest that home field in baseball is less significant than football, basketball or hockey, so why all the fuss? Is it really that vital which League has bragging rights and an extra home game in the Fall Classic?
Controversy and opinion help elevate interest. There are some things in Major League Baseball worthy of consideration of change, but the all-star game format is just fine the way Bud Selig designed it.
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Novak Djokovic has quietly moved into the top 10 all-time. Yes, Djokovic is 8th in Grand Slam tennis titles with nine, following his 3rd Wimbledon win.
I doubt he will catch the man he beat in the final, Roger Federer, but it s clear the 28 year old from Serbia will continue to climb the list (barring an unforeseen circumstance).
Federer has 17 Grand Slams to his credit followed by Pete Sampras and Rafael Nadal with 14. Nadal is fading and is an old 29 due to injuries.
Djokovic is in peak physical condition and is playing like he’s in the prime of his career.
If Djokovic can win an average of two majors per year over the next three years, (which is realistic at his level), then he would surpass Sampras by age 31 and still have time to gun for Federer, who is still going strong at 33.
Of note, Federer and Djokovic have played 40 times; each has 20 wins.
Federer is sitting with an amazing record of 37 Grand Slam semi-final appearances, making him undeniably the most consistent player ever, and arguably the most consistent athlete ever.
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Serena Williams is the same age as Roger Federer (both turn 34 this year) yet no one in women’s tennis is giving her a serious challenge.
Williams has a Serena Slam, winning each of the last four majors, and with a victory at the U.S. Open will become the first female since Steffi Graf (1988) to win all four majors in the same calendar year.
Williams remains hungry even though she has no true rival.
Serena sits with 21 grand slam titles which is 3rd all-time. She is just one one behind Graf and three back of Margaret Court.
The surface doesn’t matter to Williams who has won six times each at Wimbledon, the Australian and U.S. Open and three times at the French.
There’s a possibility she could tie Court’s record next year which keeps her motivation at an all-time high.
Serena, who has won the last three U.S. Opens, does not have Federer’s warm pleasant personality, but by the time her career is done, she will have a strong case as the best female athlete of all-time.
From the Quote Rack:
Joe Theismann compares a Redskins name change to ‘Caitlin Jenner’. Only if the ‘Skins join the Lingerie League.
In 1930, Clayton Kershaw’s great-uncle, Clyde Tombaugh, discovered Pluto. Fitting, because that’s where Kershaw’s curveball disappears to in the post-season.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Even Gregg Popovich is impressed with this exchange between a Fox Sports reporter and Zack Greinke.
“Matt Vasgergian: “Zack, you want to say a few words?” Zack Greinke: “No.”
What’s a bigger sign of the apocalypse? That the AL All-Star game had no starters from either the Yankees or the Red Sox? Or that the Cubs are over .500 at the All-Star break?
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
According to a New York Daily News item, Derek Jeter and supermodel girlfriend Hannah Davis split the bill for a pizza in Italy. What kind of people report on these things? The pizzarazzi?
Buffalo Sabres centre Ryan O’Reilly has been charged with DUI after his pickup truck ran into the wall of a Tim Hortons in Lucan, Ontario. Note to O’Reilly: That’s not what they mean by “drive thru.”
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Ryan O’Reilly crashed his vehicle into a Tim’s Horton’s allegedly under the influence. They didn’t have to go far to find cops to arrest him.
Russell Wilson’s new sweetie sang the anthem at the MLB All Star game. It was suggested that he could hand off the microphone to her.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
And in case you missed it:
A study says that standing at work could be bad for people’s health. Which comes right on the heels of a study that says sitting at work may be bad for people’s health. Which can only lead to the conclusion that work is bad for your health.
Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va. http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller