The Toronto Blue Jays should have been able to dominate the Minnesota Twins in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card series, but the hitting and pitching both failed them. Now, they are going to have to win the next two games or go home early in the MLB postseason.
The Blue Jays have many things to fix between the time before Wednesday's Game 2, and if they fail, it would be another letdown of a season.
The Blue Jays have traded and acquired countless talents, and so far, they have looked good this postseason. While also getting swept last postseason, many are starting to question the management's decisions.
Blue Jays to blame for Game 1 loss, No. 3: Brandon Belt
Brandon Belt was a top-of-the-lineup guy for the Blue Jays, hitting in the No. 2 hole. However, the veteran failed to reach base on Tuesday, and the lineup behind him could have used some runners on base in the close game. His failure to have productive at-bats cost the team dearly.
Belt finished the game 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He didn't look good at all and must change something between now and Game 2, as he plays a crucial part in the Blue Jays' success. And a series loss, even on the road, to the Twins would be quite disheartening.
The lack of quality plate appearances on Tuesday against Minnesota was made worse by the fact that Belt getting on base could've resulted in runs that Toronto desperately needed. Vladimir Guererro Jr. and Bo Bichette, the 3-4 hitters in the lineup. combined to go 3-for-8 on the day, which could've driven in Belt had he gotten on.
His failure to do so at the top of the order proved quite costly in the loss.
Blue Jays to blame for Game 1 loss, No. 2: George Springer
George Springer was the only Blue Jays player to get five at-bats in Game 1, including the last at-bat of the contest, and he failed to do anything. As the lead-off hitter, he must be able to at least reach base. But he, instead, went hitless in five at-bats, which, as was the case with Belt, hindered the rest of the lineup.
Again, Guerrero Jr. and Bichette had a combined three hits during this game, and if Springer reached at least once, they might have been able to create more than one run.
Springer played a massive role in the lack of scoring by the Blue Jays. At the same time, though, the lineup itself was a problem and does not set Toronto up for the best chance at success.
Having Bo Bichette bat lead-off, with Springer hitting fifth and Matt Chapman hitting fourth would be a much more productive order for this club. This team has so much potential, but it has been getting wasted constantly, including last season when they got swept 2-0 in the AL Wild Card series by the Seattle Mariners.
Blue Jays to blame for Game 1 loss, No. 1: Kevin Gausman
Kevin Gausman has been a solid pitcher in 2023, but he has completely failed the Blue Jays. And now it seems like it will be a hard fight uphill after his early exit from the game.
Gausman only went four innings, and in those four innings, he was lackluster to say the least, giving up three hits, three walks, and three earned runs. All of the earned runs came off two home runs by Royce Lewis, but he still wasn't finding the zone and was far from his normally sharp efforts on the bump.
In the loss, Gausman threw 73 pitches, of which only 43 were strikes, and he was unable to consistently show high-end control. As a result, he got lit up like a Christmas tree when he made any mistakes. His performance wasn't horrendous in itself, but the worst aspect was lasting just four innings.
Because Gausman was unable to go deep in the game, despite the fact they should have shoved him out longer, now the bullpen has been ravaged. The Blue Jays have to now hope their starters can go the distance.
After Gausman was taken out, Toronto had Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Chad Green, Génesis Cabrera, and Jordan Hicks all pitch, which depleted the bullpen for Wednesday's Game 2.
Game 2 will see Jose Berrios face off against Sonny Gray in a must-win game. But due to the bullpen being so heavily used in the series opener, even if the Blue Jays force a Game 3, the task would be much more difficult. Gausman's short-lived start on Tuesday put Toronto in a bind not just in Game 1 but for the remainder of the wild card.
