TORONTO -- Wonderful things can happen when you don’t rush to give up the first run of the ballgame.
The Blue Jays finally flipped that script and struck first against the Mets Monday thanks to Juan Soto, who whiffed on a bouncing ball from George Springer which allowed Springer to race all the way around the bases and score.
The 2-1 win at Rogers Centre halted a six-game losing streak for the Blue Jays. This is what mattered most from the victory:
1. Trey Yesavage controlled the game
In Yesavage’s past five starts entering Monday, he’d put up walk totals of five, six and seven. Even with his ability to wipe out mistakes, that just won’t work.
The most important number from Monday’s win was the big, beautiful “zero” in the walk column for Yesavage. On the good days this season, we see a pitcher beginning to understand the value of trusting his defense, which did an excellent job Monday night. There will still be days where Yesavage racks up 12 strikeouts, but on the other days, this needs to be the approach.
“Mindset leads to mechanics” manager John Schneider said. “I think your body follows what your brain is telling you to do. When that’s all synced up, it’s pretty good, but I think it’s about the mindset and not being afraid to say, ‘OK, here we go.’”
This all seems to suit Yesavage so well, too. He’s so straightforward, so direct to the point about everything he does.
“I’d rather go out there and give up solo homers than walk the house. That’s what happened today, and I’m happy with it,” Yesavage said.
Yesavage ended the night with a 3.34 ERA, and if he can keep these walks to even a reasonable level, that number should continue to drop as his elite swing-and-miss stuff takes over again. With nearly half a season still remaining, Yesavage could easily force his way back into the AL Rookie of the Year conversation alongside teammate Kazuma Okamoto.
2. A vote of confidence for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Over his career, stretching back to the Minor Leagues, Bo Bichette has probably been asked about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. more than he’s been asked about himself.
Bichette knows Guerrero as well as anyone, too, teammates since they were teenagers. Asked about Guerrero’s struggles this season, Bichette wasn’t having any of it.
“It’s the same story every year, wondering why Vladdy is not hitting .400, leading the league in OPS and all of this,” Bichette said as he returned to Toronto for the first time since signing with the Mets over the offseason. “I know he’s not doing what he’s capable of, but you guys have heard me talk about him before. Every single year, he ends up doing something that reminds you guys how good he is. Baseball is tough. He’s one of the best in the world.”
The good news for Guerrero? He hit some balls very, very hard, including outs at 111.1 and 107.1 mph, followed by another flyout pulled to left field before rolling a single through the right side in the eighth. Talk of “process” won’t excite anyone, nor should it, but these were clearly better swings than we’d seen from Guerrero during Toronto’s recent six-game losing streak.
This version of the Blue Jays can scrap out some wins and dance around .500. To make a real run back above .500 and beyond, it needs to be led by Guerrero.
3. Luis Urías … sticking around?
With a double and a run scored, it was another solid day for veteran infielder Luis Urías, who’s been with the club for just over a week. His time hasn’t been without flaw, but given Monday’s news that Addison Barger will remain on the IL for at least “weeks” with a back issue, the door is wide open for Urías here.
At this point, Urías’ main competition for a roster spot may be Davis Schneider, who is back down in Triple-A once again to work on his offensive game. The return of Jesús Sánchez from his sprained ankle could eventually force a conversation, too, but rookie Sean Keys would also be on that bubble and Urías has the advantage of being playable at multiple spots on the infield.
The Blue Jays don’t need him to be spectacular, only solid and reliable, which is exactly what Urías was in Monday’s win.