John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays were scripted for a season of power and speed assembled to put up crooked numbers against opposing pitchers. However, through the first 17 games of the season, the Blue Jays have been anything but, struggling to score runs on a consistent basis.
The Jays have failed to cash in runners and hit with runners in scoring position on a regular basis. They are ranked last in the American League with 61 runs for an average of 3.5 runs a game. As a team, the Jays are batting .228 and have struck out 131 times, an average of 7.7 times per game.
Case-in-point during Saturday’s contest with the New York Yankees, the Jays clawed back to force the game into extra innings. With the winning run on second base, Rajai Davis impatiently strolled up to the plate and swung at the first pitch, popping up a lazy fly ball on the infield. The runner was stranded and the Jays eventually lost the game.
Obviously, the loss of Jose Reyes has crippled the offence, but the Jays need to find ways to generate runs and hit with ducks on the pond.
It appears evident the Jays will need to look outside the organization to ignite the offence as they desperately need a left handed bat. With all that is invested in this season, the Jays seem poised to make a move sooner than later.
My guess is reinforcements will be obtained within the next two weeks to kick start the anaemic offence. Perhaps it’s time to inquire about Justin Morneau.
Clayton Richer covers the Toronto Blue Jays for Rant Sports. Follow and interact with him on Twitter at @MLBHotCorner, Facebook, and Google Plus.
