Wow.
At one point last week, it looked like I picked the wrong teams to win. Fortunately, the Dodgers stormed back and the Rays avoided embarrassment.
And now, a team from California meets a team from Florida at a stadium in Texas.
Anyway…
Los Angeles over Tampa Bay
Interesting fact: When the Rays captured their first AL pennant in 2008, the Democratic candidate won the U.S. election.
Just saying…
ER
Lots of opinions following the Jays’ playoff exit.
Ms. DiManno had a positive take, despite the ugly conclusion. Meanwhile, Mr. Simmons felt the team’s embarrassing performance proved they are far from being a legit contender. And Mr. Kelly applauded the Jays, but slammed the analytical micromanaging.
As for me, I’m thrilled.
All I wanted/hoped for was 25-35 wins. That’s it. Wasn’t thinking about the playoffs.
They ultimately got 25 wins, added seven more victories and played two postseason matches.
Sweet, savoury gravy!
2020 will be a season that cannot be compared or contrasted to any other year. It was a unicorn, pure and simple.
The Jays continued their development and showed us how great they can be when everything lines up. Far from perfect – and that was reinforced against the Rays – but as I have said multiple times, we should embrace the pain and patiently let the story play out.
More importantly, this team gave me a much-needed distraction.
When Teoscar Hernandez hit a homerun, when they came back from an eight-run deficit and beat Philadelphia, when they had us calculating magic numbers and when Caleb Joseph asked for two claps and a Ric Flair, I wasn’t thinking about the fucking pandemic.
Yes, they were playing in Buffalo; and yes, the cardboard cutouts and fake crowd noise could not be ignored; and yes, they needed to pause to bring attention to a very important social issue (Black Lives Matter/Jacob Blake); and yes, masks and face coverings were in plain sight.
But when the game was being played, things were calm in my mind. I didn’t feel the anxiety – crushing at times – that COVID-19 has caused.
Much like the Jays’ bullpen, there was relief.
Of course, I could write about the hot button topic that surrounded the Jays’ short playoff drive: The decision to start Hyun Jin Ryu in game two. But given that everyone else has shared their opinions, it would be pointless to add to the noise.
Then again…
If things worked out, many would say the Jays won despite management. If things didn’t work out – what ultimately happened – management would be ruthlessly criticized. Essentially, the narrative was all set before game one started.
Besides, it’s too easy to play the hindsight card.
Whatever…
I’m grateful to have the escape and pleased the young players got a small taste of big-league success. Shortened season or not, experience is experience.
Don’t know what 2021 will look like, but hoping things will be safer for matches to be played in Toronto. Maybe with a few fans too. Safety comes first though.
This was the first time in nearly 30 years that I didn’t watch a live baseball match at Skydome. I had seen at least one game every year since 1992. Not the worst thing to deal with. Still, it’s unfortunate and upsetting.
So, thank you to the Federal Government for making the right decision. Thank you to the cities of Buffalo and Rochester for taking care of my favourite baseball team. And thank you to the Jays for the gravy and the distraction.
ER
So, I was right about Atlanta. Everything else was a disaster.
Was too captivated with San Diego and Oakland. The Tampa Bay/New York series could have gone either way.
Anyway…
ALCS: Tampa Bay over Houston
NLCS: Los Angeles over Atlanta
ER
Eight teams. Four bubbles. Round two. Away we go.
ALDS
New York over Tampa Bay
Oakland over Houston
NLDS
Atlanta over Miami
San Diego over Los Angeles
ER
Definitely Not JaysTalk 