The 1982 Milwaukee Brewers vs the 2021 Toronto Blue Jays - by Moses

1982 Milwaukee Brewers

Pitching Staff

1.  Mike Caldwell (RHP) - age 33

2.  Pete Vuckovich (RHP) - age 29

3.  Don Sutton (RHP) - age 37

4.  Moose Haas (RHP) - age 26

5.  Bob McClure (LHP) - age 30

6.  Randy Lerch (RHP) - age 27

7.  Doc Medich (RHP) - age 33

8.  Jim Slaton (RHP) - age 32

9.  Dwight Bernard (RHP) - age 30

10.Jerry Augustine (LHP) - age 29

11.Jamie Easterly (LHP) - age 29

12.Rollie Fingers (RHP) - age 35 

Batting Order vs Lefties

1.  Paul Molitor (3B) bats right - age 25

2.  Robin Yount (SS) bats right - age 26

3.  Cecil Cooper (1B) bats left - age 32 

4.  Gorman Thomas (CF) bats right - age 31

5.  Ted Simmons (C) bats both - age 32

6.  Don Money (DH) bats right - age 35

7.  Ben Oglivie (RF) bats left - age 33

8.  Charlie Moore (RF) bats right - age 29

9.  Jim Gantner (2B) bats left - age 29

Batting Order vs Righties  

1.  Paul  Molitor (3B) bats right - age 25

2.  Robin Yount (SS) bats right - age 26

3.  Cecil Cooper (1B) bats left - age 32

4.  Ben Oglivie (LF) bats left - age 33

5.  Gorman Thomas (CF) bats right - age 31

6.  Ted Simmons (C) bats both - age 32

7.  Roy Howell (DH) bats left - age 28

8.  Charlie Moore (RF) bats right - age 29

9.  Jim Gantner (2B) bats left - age 29

Bench

1.  Ned Yost (C) bats right - age 27

2.  Ed Romero (2B/SS) bats right - age 24

3.  Marshall Edwards (OF) bats left - age 28

4.  Mark Brouhard (OF) bats right - age 26

5.  Larry Hisle (DH/PH) bats right - age 35

2021 Toronto Blue Jays

Pitching Staff

1.  Robbie Ray (LHP) - age 29

2.  Hyun Jin Ryu (LHP) - age 34

3.  Alek Manoah (RHP) - age 23

4.  Jose Berrios (RHP) - age 27

5.  Steven Matz (LHP) - age 30

6.  Ross Stripling (RHP) - age 31

7.  Tim Mayza (LHP) - age 29

8.  Tayler Saucedo (LHP) - age 28 *

9.  Ryan Borucki (LHP) - age 27

10.Kirby Snead (LHP) - age 26

11.Adam Cimber (RHP) - age 30

12.Trevor Richards (RHP) - age 28

13.Julian Merryweather (RHP) - age 29

14.Nate Pearson (RHP) - age 24

15.Anthony Castro (RHP - age 26

16.Bryan Baker (RHP) - age 26 *

17.Jordan Romano (RHP) - age 28  

Batting Order vs Lefties

1.  George Springer (CF) bats right - age 31

2.  Marcus Semien (2B) bats right - age 30

3.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B) bats right - age 22

4.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right - age 23

5.  Teoscar Hernandez (DH) bats right - age 28

6.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right - age 27

7.  Randal Grichuk (RF) bats right - age 29

8.  Alejandro Kirk (C) bats right - age 22

9.  Santiago Espinal (3B/2B) bats right - age 26

Batting Order vs Righties

1.  George Springer (DH) bats right - age 31

2.  Marcus Semien (2B) bats right - age 30

3.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B) bats right - age 22

4.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right - age 23

5.  Teoscar Hernandez (RF) bats right - age 28

6.  Corey Dickerson (LF) bats left - age 32

7.  Reese McGuire (C) bats left - age 26

8.  Cavan Biggio (3B) bats left - age 26 *

9.  Jarrod Dyson (CF) bats left - age 36

Bench

1.  Danny Jansen (C) bats right - age 26

2.  Breyvic Valera (2B/3B) bats both - age 29

3.  Santiago Espinal (3B/2B) bats right - age 26

4.  Corey Dickerson (OF) bats left - age 32

5.  Jarrod Dyson (OF) bats left - age 36

* - currently in Minors

      

      In this comparison of teams from yesteryear to today we see many parables between both rosters as they both had the dominant offensive statistics.in MLB for the years studied (1982 and 2021)

  Both were teams that had an incredible scoring ability, evidenced by both teams hammering more than 200 Home-Runs in the season in the years studied.  The Brewers were known as the 'Harvey Wallbangers' in 1982 for their hitting proficiency, showcasing Molitor as the catalyst for the offence to get things started and steal bases at a healthy rate.  After Molitor the pitcher had to take on A.L MVP Robin Yount, perhaps the greatest hitting shortstop in the history of the game.  Cecil Cooper batted third and was a left-handed machine in hammering out hit after hit.  Then the pitcher had to take on deep threats Gorman Thomas and Ben Oglivie both 40 HR a year power.  Ted Simmons was arguably the greatest switch-hitting catcher of all-time and many looked at Jim Gantner as a plugger and a team player, Charlie Moore as a good defensive rightfielder, and Don Money and Roy Howell held the fort as the teams' DH tandom.  They were simply dynamite offensively and they almost won the World Series that year of 1982 losing a tight seven game affair against the St. Louis Cardinals and Ozzie Smith.  The Brewers Starting Pitching was strong (maybe not to this years' 2021 Toronto Blue Jays standard) and showcased Mike Caldwell, Pete Vuckovich, Don Sutton (picked up at the trade deadline), Moose Haas, Bob McClure, (and swingman Jim Slaton).  They had poor relief aside from Rollie Fingers (perhaps the best closer in the game that year) and Jim Slaton a swingman who was 10-6 with seven starts. 

  The 2021 Toronto Blue Jays  are a special team for many reasons.  The 2021 Toronto Blue Jays showcase power like perhaps no team before them.  They have a collective 7 men (once Springer belts his twentieth Home-Run of the year) with 20+ Home-Runs on the year.  Vladdy Jr., Semien, Teoscar, Bichette could each have 30+ Home-Runs should Bichette get hot over the last 6 games of the season.  Even leaving Vladdy Jr. and Marcus Semien out of the equation the offence is still powerful showcasing the exploits of Gurriel Jr., Grichuk, Alejandro Kirk, Reese McGuire, Bichette, Hernandez (and Cavan Biggio upon his return for the playoffs).  The Jays pitching this year has been strong from the starters.  Ray, Ryu, Manoah, Berrios, and Matz (and even Ross Stripling could be worked into the equation) are all capable starters.  Romano is arguably the best closer in the American League and has shown he's got the poise for the job.  With Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards in the mix alongside Julian Merryweather, Nate Pearson, Bryan Baker, and Tim Mayza (with another three lefties at the ready) the bullpen just needs to settle.

Starting Pitching

Advantage Toronto Blue Jays (9-8)

Relief Pitching

Even (7-7)

  

Catchers

Milwaukee Brewers - Ted Simmons 8/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Alejandro Kirk/Reese McGuire/Danny Jansen 6/10

Advantage Milwaukee Brewers

1st Basemen

Milwaukee Brewers - Cecil Cooper 8.5/10 

Toronto Blue Jays - Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 9.5/10

Advantage Toronto Blue Jays

 

2nd Basemen

Milwaukee Brewers - Jim Gantner 6/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Marcus Semien 9.5/10

Advantage Toronto Blue Jays

3rd Basemen

Milwaukee Brewers - Paul Molitor 9/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Santiago Espinal/Cavan Biggio 6/10

Advantage Milwaukee Brewers

Shortstops

Milwaukee Brewers - Robin Yount 9.5/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Bo Bichette 8.5/10

Advantage Milwaukee Brewers

Leftfielders

Milwaukee Brewers - Ben Oglivie 8/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 8/10

Even

Centerfield

Milwaukee Brewers - Gorman Thomas 8/10

Toronto Blue Jays - George Springer 8/10

Even

Rightfield

Milwaukee Brewers - Charlie Moore 6/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Randal Grichuk 7/10

Advantage Toronto Blue Jays

DH

Milwaukee Brewers - Don Money/Roy Howell 6.5/10

Toronto Blue Jays - Teoscar Hernandez 9/10

Advantage Toronto Blue Jays

Bench

Milwaukee Brewers - 7

Toronto Blue Jays - 7

Even

  The reality is that it will be history who decides who the better team was.  Should the Jays make the playoffs this year they'll be remembered as perhaps the greatest offence of today's' age like was said of the 'Harvey Wallbangers' of 1982.

The 2021 Toronto Blue Jays - by Moses

Manager - Charlie Montoyo

Pitching Staff

1.  Robbie Ray (LHP)

2.  Hyun Jin Ryu (LHP)

3   Steven Matz (LHP)

4.  Jose Berrios (RHP)

5.  Alek Manoah (RHP)

6.  Ross Stripling (RHP)

7.  Ryan Borucki (LHP) 

8.  Tayler Saucedo (LHP) *

9.  Kirby Snead (LHP) * 

10.Trevor Richards (RHP)

11.Adam Cimber (RHP)

12.Anthony Castro (RHP)

13.Tim Mayza (LHP)

14.Julian Merryweather (RHP)

15.Nate Pearson (RHP)

16.Bryan Baker (RHP)

17.Jordan Romano (RHP)

Batting Order vs Righties

1.  George Springer (CF) bats right

2.  Corey Dickerson (RF) bats left

3.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. (1B) bats right

4.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right

5.  Marcus Semien (2B) bats right

6.  Teoscar Hernandez (DH) bats right

7.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right

8.  Reese McGuire (C) bats left

9.  Breyvic Valera (3B) bats both

Batting Order vs Lefties

1.  George Springer (CF) bats right

2.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right

3.  Vlad Guerrero (1B) bats right

4.  Teoscar Hernandez (DH) bats right

5.  Marcus Semien (2B) bats right

6.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right

7.  Randal Grichuk (RF) bats right

8.  Alejandro Kirk (C) bats right

9.  Breyvic Valera (3B) bats both

Bench

1.  Danny Jansen (C) bats right

2.  Cavan Biggio (3B/2B) bats left *

3.  Santiago Espinal (3B/2B) bats right *

4.  Corey Dickerson (OF) bats left

5.  Jarrod Dyson (OF) bats left  

* - on 40 Man Roster

The 2021 Toronto Blue Jays - by Moses

      This years' Toronto Blue Jays is primed to become a playoff team for years' to come.  Just as recently as ten days ago we were five games out of a wildcard spot.  At this point we're the number one wild card team, however, we're competing against four other teams for one of the two spots.  As recently as three weeks ago we were 9.5 games behind the Yankees (and now they're behind us by 1 game in the race for a wild card spot).  The Jays carry their own destiny by winning outright as perhaps the best baseball story of the year.  A team dominated by offence and starting pitching.  The pitching staff has five solid starters in Ray, Ryu, Matz, Berrios, and Manoah.  The offence is led by Vlad Guerrero Jr., Marcus Semien, Teoscar Hernandez, Bo Bichette, George Springer, Randal Grichuk, Alejandro Kirk, Corey Dickerson, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.  A total barrage will probably occur over the next three weeks in Toronto for the Jays.  Should Guerrero Jr. break the 50 Home-Run plateau this year my prediction is for the Jays to win the first wild card spot and carry through hot into the playoffs.