5 Reasons the Toronto Blue Jays can win the World Series
By Jason Evans
The Rotation
The Toronto Blue Jays rotation isn’t as bad as you may first think. When discussing this team, you obviously first think of the offense, but they can pitch a little bit too.
The Blue Jays needed an ace and they got one in the deal for David Price. Price is going to be a hired gun of sorts. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, and I don’t think that he’ll be staying in Canada long term, though you never know.
The Blue Jays didn’t have that guy at the top of the rotation who they could look to, and now they have it in the former Cy Young winner. for the American League, Price ranks third in ERA, sixth in WHIP, fourth in strikeouts, and is tied for seventh in wins.
Behind him in the rotation is veteran knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Dickey struggled the first two months of the season, but has really picked it up since. He hasn’t lost in a month. He has only walked 11 batters since July 4, which is quite a feat when you throw the knuckleball. He’s also posted an ERA of just 2.02 during that time.
Mark Buehrle is next in the rotation and he actually has one more win than Price does. Like Dickey, Buehrle struggled throughout the first couple of months of the season. Since June 1, he’s posted an ERA of just 2.14 along with a 6-1 record.
The Jays in a playoff series can go with Drew Hutchison as their other starter. He’s 10-2, but has an ERA of 5.42 and has given up 142 hits in 118 innings. He’s only passed six innings in a start twice since May.
Next: The Pen Is Mighty