Yusei Kikuchi continued this team’s maddening trend of rotational pitchers struggling as the bullpen once again found itself under siege. Last night was no exception; 4.2 innings from four relivers that were able to at least keep the game relatively close. Toronto’s Japanese gambit failed to capitalize on hitters by missing half the time on his first pitch – a symptom that’s afflicted every starter thus far not named Alek Manoah. This better change and fast, or the Jays will find themselves losing by margins too daunting to overcome.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is far too talented to be this mediocre and fans wouldn’t mind seeing some fire in his belly. I’d much rather prefer he attack pitches aggressively and open up his natural bat-swinging ability than this ridiculous in-between purgatory of never taking a base on balls or doing anything of real value at the plate. Randal Grichuk became a casualty of the numbers and the needs of this team, and that was to have an outfield balanced with speed, power, and overall defensive sensibilities (also known as Toronto wishful thinking). While I’m sold on Springer and (mostly) with Hernandez, the verdict is still out on Lourdes and his long-term future until he absolutely proves he can handle himself with the coveted consistency of his rookie year multi-hit streak of insane possibilities that now seems like it was five years ago. Wait, it bloody well was..

I can’t fucking believe Aaron Judge turned down $213 million dollars at the age of 30.

That is all.

Old former MVPs never die, they move on to play for the New York Yankees. Without Josh Donaldson and his magnificent adventures with the 2015 Blue Jays, there’d be no marveling at what the Guerrero Jr/Bichette present day scenario might possibly bring a city aching for a championship. He’s older, he’s slower, and his best day are most definitely behind him, but there’s something indescribably inspirational watching him spend the twilight of his career in pinstripes and knowing that he’s still extremely capable of making fans jump out of their seats. The “Donaldson butterfly effect” is felt daily around these parts with fans reminded that his departure was not only sad but necessary to the future evolution of the franchise. Still, not a day goes by that I don’t recall his magical year when he was unequivocally the best player in the American League providing us all with indelible September memories to last a lifetime.

There’s no shame in losing to the Yankees. But there’s definitely some humiliation in lacking patience and plate discipline when they completely shut you down. The batting lineup had ZERO walks last night and hit a collective .151. The hallmark of a serious contender is responding to adversity with how you handle defeat. José Berríos and company have an early chance to show fans that they’re a resilient bunch in April by digging deep down and remembering what happened last September on the very last day of the season.

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