2021 Game Ninety-Seven: Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 1 (F/7)

 

I honestly want that shirt tighter

For at least a little while this afternoon -- after Robbie Ray allowed but a lone run and struck out eight in six innings (a 3.04 ERA on the year!), and both Randall Grichuk and George Springer dinged dingers -- the Blue Jays were a mere 3.5 games behind the Oakland Athletics for the final AL Wild Card spot. Is this largely because the Athletics still were still in the middle of their game (a comprehensive walloping of the Astros), rather than at its end? I mean, arguably, sure. And the back end of the Blue Jays/Red Sox doubleheader unfolds as we speak (and how that audit stands who knows save heaven [Hamlet reference]). But for all the nonsense trade deadline takes that abound from people who should definitely know better -- trade Robbie Ray! trade Marcus Semien! because we don't understand how any of this works! what is a qualifying offer! -- that's how far back the Blue Jays were, two days before the trade deadline: 3.5 games. As mentioned previously, I have begun to limit the amount of JaysTalk (both official and unofficial) I take in because it it is just objectively bad stuff, but also I think part of the problem is that what I am listening to when I go out for runs these days is the FanGraphs Audios of a better vanished time (of FanGraph Audios), with all the Carson Cistulli and Dave Cameron one could hope for. It may not surprise you to learn that two fellows now employed by the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres, respectively, would have more interesting things to say about baseball than contemporary Twitter takeists, but it's true!  Love those guys (mostly Carson).

KS