TORONTO – What a difference a week makes for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Last Friday, when they opened their season against the Texas Rangers, their starting lineup was arguably the deepest in the American League. Seven days later, the Blue Jays were back in Toronto in front of another big crowd, but after oblique injuries to Teoscar Hernandez and Danny Jansen, their lineup was significantly depleted this time.
Under those circumstances, it’s essential that would-be bench players step up, and that’s exactly what happened as the Blue Jays beat the Athletics 4-1 on Jackie Robinson Day at Rogers Centre.
First, though, there was another no-doubt home run from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who leads all of baseball with five homers after his first-inning solo shot. He’d later single and draw the first of what will presumably be many intentional walks this year. But these types of games aren’t exactly uncommon for Guerrero Jr., who belongs alongside Juan Soto and Mike Trout in any discussion about the best hitters in baseball.
Less certain was what the Blue Jays could expect from their supporting cast, but on that front Toronto couldn’t have hoped for much more. Making his first start of the season, Ross Stripling provided four scoreless innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen. It was exactly what the Blue Jays hoped to get from the right-hander, who stretched out as a starter in spring training.
There will surely be more opportunities for Stripling to start this year, whether because of injury or simply to give the other members of the starting rotation a breather. For now, he’ll return to the bullpen for some rest while the Blue Jays determine when they’ll need him next.
Offensively, the Blue Jays’ depth players were just as important Friday. Starting in place of Hernandez, right fielder Raimel Tapia singled twice for his first multi-hit game with the Blue Jays. He also showed off his speed in the second inning, scoring from first on a Santiago Espinal double to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.
Starting in place of Jansen, catcher Zack Collins delivered two hits of his own. He doubled in the fourth inning, but his sixth-inning at-bat may have been more impressive. Seeking to obtain the platoon advantage, the A’s walked Espinal intentionally so that the left-handed hitting Collins would have to face lefty Sam Moll. But Collins lined a fastball through the ride side for an RBI single that gave the Blue Jays a welcome insurance run.
In the first contest between the two teams since the Matt Chapman trade, it was Oakland’s side of the deal that made the biggest impact. Infielder Kevin Smith doubled and singled against his former team on a night Chapman went hitless in two at-bats with two walks.
A third member of the trade was nowhere to be seen, however. Kirby Snead, a left-handed reliever who appeared in four of Oakland’s first seven games, was placed on the restricted list before the game along with A.J. Puk and Austin Allen. While no further details were disclosed, unvaccinated players are not allowed to enter Canada and MLB rules state that they’re to be placed on the restricted list when their teams visit Toronto.
As with all trades involving prospects, it’ll take years to assess this one. If all goes well, it may even be a win for both sides. But where trades can benefit all involved, only one team can win on a given night. Thanks to the likes of Stripling, Tapia and Collins, the Blue Jays were the ones to come out ahead on Friday.
