If you follow the Jays faithfully, your baseball season probably wasn’t exactly relaxing.
• Also read: Here’s how the Jays can make the playoffs
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The team was one of the most unpredictable in Major League Baseball.
If you bet a little, your wallet probably didn’t like the year: unthinkable defeats at crucial moments, unexpected victories that you have to redeem, average players turning into superstars, superstars turning into average players… A strange year!
And yet there they are, the Blue Jays! They are one of the clubs that take the risk of participating in the playoffs. It shows the resilience and talent of this spectacular team.
She’s also playing pretty much her best baseball of the season and is finally finding some stability. And all of this at the best possible time.
If the Jays make the playoffs, they will be feared. Especially with so much momentum.
For those getting deeper into baseball as the playoffs begin and want an update on the team’s strengths, here’s a line on each player’s season from this special edition:
Alejandro Kirk (recipient)
The short, pot-bellied receiver wasn’t as good offensively as expected, but was never beaten. When it comes down to it, he’s never easy to beat.
Danny Jansen (recipient)
As one of the league’s best defensive catchers, he was on pace to have a 30-plus home run season. But a broken finger ruined everything. It could return to the series.
Brandon Belt (designated hitter)
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I didn’t believe it and it’s stuck in my teeth. Ex-Giants fame, he’s been more than good this year at 35 as a seasoned veteran in the heart of the lineup as a left-handed hitter.
George Springer (right field)
He hasn’t made his $22.5 million salary, but he can be the best in the world on any given night and that’s great to see.
Kevin Kiermaier (midfield)
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He was very solid and reliable as a left-handed hitter and restarted his career in Toronto at the age of 33 after spending more difficult years in Tampa Bay with an oversized contract.
Daulton Varsho (outfielder)
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An incredible young talent who failed to shine in his first season in Toronto. Very disappointing year.
Whit Merrifield (outfielder)
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A stunning and versatile veteran who made the All-Star game at age 34.
Cavan Biggio (outfielder and infielder)
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Terrible start to the season. I thought he was going to leave the big leagues for good and boom…magical end to the season.
Bo Bichette (shortstop)
Another dream season and great progress in defense.
Davis Schneider (2nd goal)
Mustachioed, who is shaping up to be the biggest surprise of the year, with a .400 scoring average.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (first baseman)
Less powerful, but still dangerous and effective. He is the one you want to see batting when it matters most.
Matt Chapman (3rd goal)
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Magical start to the season, very, very, very difficult end to the season.
Santiago Espinal (2nd goal)
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An interesting end to the season offensively, something he missed this year.
Kevin Gausman (starting pitcher)
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He is the best and is having the best season of his life: 237 strikeouts in 185 innings.
Chris Bassitt (starting pitcher)
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He doesn’t look good, doesn’t throw hard, but he’s an artist on the mound. Only 58 walks were allowed in 192 innings. One of the most reliable pitchers in baseball for 4 years.
Jose Berrios (starting pitcher)
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Very big season after a difficult year. One of the reasons the Jays risk making the playoffs.
Yusei Kikuchi (starting pitcher)
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Same as Berrios, but left-handed. A very nice comeback after a terrible season in which he couldn’t throw a catch.
Hyun Jin Ryu (starting pitcher)
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A welcome return after an absence of almost 2 years. He was solid in 50 innings and can help in the playoffs.
Jordan Romano (number 1 reliever)
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The Canadian pitcher was one of the best relievers in the league. But at the end of the season it was sometimes complicated.
Erik Swanson (replacement reliever)
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The guy you want in the 8th inning. Not as dominant as expected, but very solid.
Jordan Hicks (substitute player)
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The former Cards guy also throws fire with the Jays and no one hits him. I have doubts about the playoffs, he can throw too many balls.
Tim Mayza (substitute)
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Left-handed people don’t yet understand how to hit balls.