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Minnesota Twins vs Toronto Blue Jays Series Preview

By Scott Wessels

May 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) exchanges a high-five with right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Michael Saunders (21) exchanges a high-five with right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto: After reaching last year’s ALCS, the Blue Jays were full of hope entering 2016. Led by reigning MVP, Josh Donaldson, and the bat-flipper himself, Jose Bautista. But the Blue Jays have been streaky this year.

They have lost at least three in a row 4 times this year, and won back-to-back games or have gone on a winning streak (at least 3 games) 6 times times already in the young season.

Offense: Unlike last year, when you could peruse the AL stat leaders and see 3, 4 Blue Jays in every offensive category, only Edwin Encarnacion (5th in RBI with 30) is among the 2016 leaders. Donaldson, Bautista, Chris Colabello (PED suspension), and even Encarnacion, are all down across the board compared to last year’s offensive explosion.

Toronto ranks 4th in MLB in strikeouts (Twins are 8th), and many experts think they are trying too hard to match last year’s power numbers. Left fielder Michael Saunders (.311 / 6 HR / .911 OPS) has been a pleasant surprise with his start, batting usually in the 7-hole.

Player(s) to Watch: Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson. Tulo has shown sparks here and there of finding his stroke (April: .169 AVG / .618 OPS / 4 HR vs partial May: .233 AVG / .760 OPS / 4 HR) after getting dropped in the batting order. He’s a lifetime .350 hitter against current Twins pitchers.

Donaldson, despite his struggles this year, is still the heart of the Blue Jays. His lifetime .396 average versus current Twins pitching includes a .357 AVG / 1.329 OPS split against game one starter Ervin Santana.

Pitching: Toronto ranks 5th in the AL in ERA (3.73), and their batting average against (.248) is nearly 35 points lower than Minnesota’s. Roberto Osuna has blossomed into a reliable reliever (8/9 in save situations), collecting a stellar (1.69 ERA / 1.00 WHIP / 18 K / 4 BB) line for a closer.

Player to Watch: J.A. Happ. Happ has been killing the opposition softly and efficiently. He doesn’t strike out a lot of guys (only 5.72/9, lowest among Jays starters) and has given up 6 home runs (second-worst on team). He’s been keeping his pitch count down, and he’s inducing an incredible 33% of double possibilities into actual converted GIDP’s (11/33). By comparison, in 2011 while pitching for Houston, Happ converted 11/104 for the entire season.

Next: Minnesota Breakdown

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