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.

Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Prospects - by Moses

Top 20 Minor League Pitchers in the Toronto Blue Jays Chain 

(13 Starters / 7 Relievers)

Starters

1.  Alek Manoah (RHP) age 23

2.  Nate Pearson (RHP) age 24

3.  Simeon Woods Richardson (RHP) age 20

4.  Zach Logue (LHP) age 25

5.  Jacob Waguespack (RHP) age 28

6.  Anthony Kay (LHP) age 26

7.  Joey Murray (RHP) age 24 

8.  Nick Allgeyer (LHP) age 25

9.  Connor Overton (RHP) age 27

10.Maximo Castillo (RHP) age 22

11.Elvis Luciano (RHP) age 21

12.Paxton Schultz (RHP) age 23

13.Nick Fraze (RHP) age 23

Relievers

1.  Taylor Saucedo (LHP) age 28

2.  Kirby Snead (LHP) age 26

3.  Brandon Eisert (LHP) age 23

4.  Jacob Waguespack (RHP) age 28

5.  Dany Jimenez (RHP) age 27

6.  Bryan Baker (RHP) age 26

7.  Marcus Reyes (LHP) age 26

2021 Toronto Blue Jays Projected Statistics and Imminent Call-Up - by Moses (a.k.a Stacey Marc Goldman)

Imminent Call-Up - Gabriel Moreno;  Moreno is a Double A Catcher who is batting .388 to start the year, and has tallied 40 RBI's to go along with 8 Home-runs to date this year in only 116 At-Bats.  His OPS is 1.128 and he knows how to draw walks with a decent strikeout to walk ratio.  Moreno is also adept at throwing out base-runners evidenced by his career throw out rate at 35% which is higher than any catcher in the Blue Jays chain (43% CS this year).  He makes very few errors and would compliment Jansen and McGuire very well in the development of our young arms, throwing out runners, and batting .280+ (if and when he is called up to the big leagues).  Similar to last year when the Jays brought up Alejandro Kirk (and he had tremendous success at the big league level) the Jays could see huge dividends with Moreno.

Manager - Charlie Montoyo

Projected Team Record for 2021;  96 - 66  (1st Place in the A.L East)

Pitching Staff           G   GS   CG  Saves   IP       H   BB    SO   W   L  ERA   WHIP

1, Hyun Jin Ryu      33   33      4       -     202.2  169   53    148   15    5   2.65    1.096 

2. Steven Matz        33    33     3       -     193.2  177   61    193   14    8   3.57    1.233

3. Robbie Ray         32    32     2       -     187.1  142   60    227   13    8   3.26    1.076  

4. Alek Manoah      22    22     1       -     132.0    99   38    144    9     4   2.70    1.043

5. Ross Stripling     33    19     0      0     128.1  120   35    107    7     6   4.12    1.174

6. Trent Thornton  30    10     0      0       91.2    81   32      81    6     4   4.12    1.232

7. Tim Mayza         55      -      -      0       60.1    57   23      60    3     4    3.51    1.285

8. Travis Bergen     35     1     0      0       41.2    38   14      42    4     3    2.99    1.195

9. A.J. Cole              35     -      -      2       40.1    35   13      35    3     3    2.70   1.194*

10.Joel Payamps     57     -      -      0       62.1    58   20      43    2     3    3.54    1.230   

11.Tyler Chatwood 54     -      -      3       59.2    49   23      65    2     3    3.67    1.214

12.Jordan Romano 55     -      -    25      62.1    45   16      70     7     3    1.90   0.983

13.Rafael Dolis        53    -       -     7       52.1    42   20      58     2     2    3.64   1.183 

14.Anthony Castro 40     -       -    3       44.1    33   15      47     1     3    2.73   1.080

15.Ryan Borucki     52     -      -     1       57.2    45   17      65    6      3    2.47   1.086*

16.Carl Edwards Jr.33    -      -     0       31.1    27   10      23    0      1    3.26   1.209 

17.Jeremy Beasley  29    -      -      2       27.2    22    9       30    0      1    2.79    1.119 

18.J. Waguespack   25    -      -      0       26.2    20    5       22    1      1    2.54   0.992@    

19.J.Merryweather 23   -       -      5       24.1    13    3       29    1      1    1.77   0.678#

 

Batting Order vs Righties

Player                                   AB Runs  2B 3B HR  RBI SB CS  AVG OBP SLG% OPS

1. Cavan Biggio (3B/RF)    500   80     25   3   13    67   12   3    .257  .330  .426      .756

2. Bo Bichette (SS)              550  102    34   4   25    90   31   3    .288  .335  .507      .842

3. Rowdy Tellez  (DH/1B)  317   46     17   0   19    53     0   1    .303  .347  .517      .864 

4. Vlad Guerrero Jr. (1B)  533  110    38   1   47   122    4   3    .309   .415  .653   1.068

5. Teoscar Hernandez (LF)457  81     24   2   33     87  14   3     .275   .325  .533    .858

6. George Springer (CF )   350  76     23    2   23    77    7   4     .290   .380  .564   .944#

7. Marcus Semien (2B)       534  97     37   2   33     93  22   6     .289   .367  .560     .927

8. Randal Grichuk (RF)     561  85     26   1   18     89   6    3     .266   .320  .445     .775

8. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.(LF) 526 70     26   3   13     61  10    3    .277   .324   .420    .744

9. Reese McGuire (C)         212  27     13   0    5     31    1    2     .287  .340   .435     .775

Batting Order vs Lefties

1. Marcus Semien (2B/3B)

2. Bo Bichette (SS)

3. George Springer (CF/DH)  #

4. Vlad Guerrero Jr. (1B/DH)

5. Teoscar Hernandez (LF/RF) 

6. Randal Grichuk (RF/CF)

7. Gabriel Moreno (C)          225 37   13   2    6     38     3    1  .285  .351  .447   .798 @

8. Santiago Espinal (3B/inf) 277 35   13   1    2     30     5    2  .233  .289  .337   .626

9. Jonathan Davis (OF/DH) 245 33   11   1    3     31     9    3  .257  .307  .369   .676

Bench

1. Danny Jansen (C)            277  32  12   0    6   31      1    2    .191  .268  .327  .595

2. Alejandro Kirk (C/DH)   227  30  13  1   12   40      0    1   .283  .337  .456  .793 #     

3. Joe Panik (2B/3B)            245  34  13  1    2    30      2    3   .243  .290  .375  .665

4. Kevin Smith (2B/3B/OF)110   16   6   1    5    18      0    1   .287  .337  .468  .645   

5. Forrest Wall (OF)            155  20  10  2    2    18      4    2   .272  .325  .379  .704    

                                    

+ - Trade Pending (including projected stats upon trade)

@ - Pending Call-up

* - currently on 10-day injured reserve list

# - currently on 60-day injured reserve list

Catcher

1.  Gabriel Moreno - bats right @

2.  Reese McGuire - bats left  

3.  Alejandro Kirk - bats right #   

4.  Danny Jansen - bats right

1st Base

1.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. - bats right

2.  Rowdy Tellez - bats left

3.  Cavan Biggio - bats left

4.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - bats right

2nd Base

1.  Marcus Semien - bats right

2.  Cavan Biggio - bats left

3.  Joe Panik - bats left

4.  Santiago Espinal - bats right  

3rd Base

1.  Cavan Biggio - bats left

2.  Santiago Espinal - bats right

3.  Joe Panik - bats left

4.  Cullen Large - bats both@

SS

1.  Bo Bichette - bats right

2.  Marcus Semien - bats right

3.  Santiago Espinal - bats right

4.  Joe Panik - bats left

Left-Field

1.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - bats right

1.  Teoscar Hernandez - bats right

3.  Jonathan Davis - bats right

4.  Forrest Wall - bats left@

Center-Field

1.  George Springer - bats right #

2.  Randal Grichuk - bats right

3.  Teoscar Hernandez - bats right

4.  Jonathan Davis - bats right

Right-Field

1.  Randal Grichuk - bats right

2.  Teoscar Hernandez - bats right 

3.  George Springer - bats right #

4.  Cavan Biggio - bats left  

DH

1.  Rowdy Tellez - bats left

2.  Alejandro Kirk - bats right #

3.  Teoscar Hernandez - bats right 

4.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. - bats right 

The 2021 Toronto Blue Jays - by Moses

 

  Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have entered the free-agent market this off-season picking up George Springer, Kirby Yates, and Marcus Semien (as they had last year in picking up Ryu), the Jays look poised to exact some damage to their opponents this year coming.  The fact is that we still have a good chance of landing Trevor Bauer this off-season to a long contract (4 or 5 years) making us a dominant team.

  Here is what the Jays will look like with Trevor Bauer in the rotation;

Pitching Staff                        G  GS CG SV  IP      H   BB  SO  W  L   ERA   WHIP

1.  Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP)      34  34    5    -   208.1 177  53  177  20  8    2.69     1.16

2.  Trevor Bauer (RHP)       34  34    4    -   205.2 140  43  220  17  5    2.45     0.93

3.  Taijuan Walker (RHP)   30  30    2    -   183.0 155  45  134  13  8    3.53     1.17     

4.  Robbie Ray (LHP)          25  25    2    -   155.0 145  42  170  12  8    3.44     1.20  

5.  Nate Pearson (RHP)       25  25    1    -   150.2 110  33  210  15  3    2.33     0.95  

6.  Matt Shoemaker (RHP) 30  14    0    0  115.1 110  30    67    6  7    3.91     1.25     

7.  Anthony Kay (LHP)       60   -      -    1    71.1  60   22    65    4  5    2.77     1.11

8.  Ryan Borucki (LHP)      57   -      -    1    60.2  53   30    74    3  4    2.53     1.23   

9.  A.J. Cole (RHP)              70   -      -    1    75.1  67   12    60    4  4    2.66     1.05   

10.Anthony Bass (RHP)      65   -      -    3    68.0  60   16    63    2  3    2.45     1.12 

11.Jeremy Romano (RHP)  71  -      -     7    72.1  53   12    80    3  3    1.91     0.91  

12.Kirby Yates (RHP)         55  -      -     42   57.0  40   13   90    1  4    1.99     0.93    

Batting Order vs Righties                         AB  R   HR RBI  AVG OBP  SLG OPS SB  

1.  Cavan Biggio (2B/OF) bats left           530 110  24   75    .291   .390  .480  .870  44  

2.  Bo Bichette (3B/SS) bats right             560 105 33   99    .303   .363  .545  .908  33                     

3.  George Springer (CF) bats right         550  93  35 105    .277   .355  .540  .895   6  

4.  Rowdy Tellez (1B) bats left                  469  81  40 110    .270   .371  .579  .950   0     

5.  Marcus Semien (SS) bats right            520  90  25  88    .267   .355  .469  .824   9    

6.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right    535  85  20  75    .300   .354   .458 .812   12    

7.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. (DH/3B) bats right 567 121 47 134  .308   .377   .634 1.011  3    

8.  Randal Grichuk (RF) bats right          457  75  17   69   .260  .330   .445  .775   5  

9.  Danny Jansen (C) bats right                420  55  12   53   .247  .320  .377   .697   0         

10.Alejandro Kirk (C) bats right              330  43  13   47   .277  .333  .435  .768   0   

11.Jonathan Villar (2B/SS/3B) bats both 367  46   5    33   .256  .318   .367  .685  33   

12.Joe Panik (2B/SS/3B) bats left             191  20   2    20    .251  .290  .333  .623   2 

13.Teoscar Hernanadez (OF/DH) right   477  77   27  80    .256  .299  .488  .787   12 

14.Jonathan Davis (OF) bats right          200   26    4   22    .270  .306  .367  .673   5 

The Toronto Blue Jays and Possible Moves - by Moses

   As I stated in a previous article on the Toronto Blue Jays, I strongly suggested that we should pick up a couple of top three starters in entering the '21 Campaign.  Well Trevor Bauer is looming as one of the hottest pitchers in the free-agent market.  Likely to be a good pitcher for at least another five years, the Blue Jays would be wise in signing him to a multi-year contract.  Say four years at $15 Mil U.S.D/year.  With the additions of the prior trades coming in, that would leave us with seven starting pitchers that most teams would employ as top three starters;

1.  Hyun-jin Ryu (LHP)

2.  Trevor Bauer (RHP)

3.  Corbin Burnes (RHP)

4.  Zach Plesac (RHP)

5.  Taijuan Walker (RHP)

6.  Robbie Ray (LHP)

7.  Nate Pearson (RHP)

  This may seem to be overkill but many teams have adopted the philosophy of having a couple of extra guys on the staff to accommodate any possible injuries over the course of the year (the Dodgers come to mind in this scenario) to their starters.  This isn't even including Matt Shoemaker (and I'm high up on him), or Chase Anderson.  That's how dominating this staff looks on paper. 

  In fact, although we're losing five pitchers to gain two arms (in the article prior's' trades), we're not losing any ground for our projected relief core for the '21 season, and we're picking up two solid starters in the proposed trades in Corbin Burnes and Zach Plesac.  Here is our projected relief core for '21 after the Bauer signing and fulfilling the two trades (in acquiring Burnes and Plesac);

Swingmen

1.  Robbie Ray (LHP)

2.  Nate Pearson (RHP)

Left-handed Specialists

1.  Ryan Borucki (LHP)

2.  Anthony Kay (LHP)

3.  Kirby Snead (LHP)

7th Inning Men

1.  A.J. Cole

2.  Shun Yamaguchi

3.  T.J. Zeuch

8th Inning Men

1.  Jordan Romano

2.  Anthony Bass

3.  Nate Pearson

Closers

1.  Rafael Dolis

2.  Jordan Romano

3.  Anthony Bass 

  If you thought that giving up five arms to make these deals is counter-productive, realize this;  When you can secure 600-700 Innings for your staff (among three starters) this is invaluable to breeding winning organizations.  The interesting placement may be with young phenom Nate Pearson.  Do you let him negotiate his early time in the Majors as a dominant swing-man, or do you let him come in the eighth or ninth to showcase his 103 MPH Fastball?  Plus, the Jays have Joey Murray (RHP), Maximo Castillo (RHP), Nick Allgeyer (LHP), and Simeon Woods-Richardson (RHP) as top prospects to rely on in future years for a deep pitching rotation for years to come alike what the Atlanta Braves had going on for the entire decade of the nineties.

 

Toronto Blue Jay Trades and Aftermath - by Moses

 Proposed Trades

1.  From Toronto;  Tom Hatch (RHP), Julian Merryweather (RHP), and Yennsy Diaz (RHP) to the Milwaukee Brewers for Corbin Burnes (RHP)

2.  From Toronto;  Ross Stripling (RHP), Derek Fisher (OF), and Forrest Wall (OF) to the Cleveland Indians for Zach Plesac (RHP)

3.  From Toronto;  Jacob Waguespack (RHP) and Reese McGuire (C) to the Atlanta Braves for Travis d'Arnaud (C/1B)

As a result of the trades (and losing free-agent closer Ken Giles) this is how our pitching looks entering 2021;

Starters                                G  GS QS   IP     H    BB  SO  W  L  ERA  WHIP Sv 

1.  Hyun-Jin Ryu (LHP)     33  33  20  207.1 180   53  173  20  7   2.77   1.145   -      

2.  Corbin Burnes (RHP)   32  32  20  204.2  163  73  256  15  6   3.05   1.167   -

3.  Taijuan Walker (RHP)  27  27  13  165.0  157  46  159  12  8   3.57  1.198    -

4.  Zach Plesac (RHP)         25  25 15  161.1  133  27  150  13  4   2.53  0.997     -

5.  Robbie Ray (LHP)         23  23   9  130.2  125  44  153   8   6   3.42  1.262     -

Swingmen                                 

1.  Nate Pearson (RHP)       32  15  7 110.1  93  35  135   8   5    3.55  1.191    0

2.  Chase Anderson (RHP) 25   6    2  63.1   65  23   43    2   3   4.12  1.317    0 

Lefty Specialists 

1.  Ryan Borucki (LHP)     62  -     -   71.1   54    20  77   2   3   2.17  1.056     2     

2   Anthony Kay (LHP)      57  -     -   61.2   53    17  67   3   4   2.84  1.103     1

3.  Kirby Snead (LHP)       33  -     -   27.1   25    10  20   0   1   3.35  1.218     0 

7th Inning Men

1.  A.J. Cole (RHP)             73   -   -   77.1  70    17  73  5   3   2.72   1.131    3 

2.  Shun Yamaguchi            55   -   -   65.2  60   22  70   3   4   3.21   1.198    1

3.  T.J. Zeuch (RHP)           54   1  0   63.0  60   23  45   0   3   3.91   1.225    0

8th Inning Men

1.  Jordan Romano (RHP)  71  -   -   79.0   53   12  93  5  2   1.91  0.855     7

2.  Anthony Bass (RHP)      65  -   -    69.2  61   15  60  3  4   2.79  1.084     3

3.  T.J. Zeuch (RHP)            54  1  0   63.0   60  23  45   0  3  3.91  1.225     0

Closer

1.  Rafael Dolis (RHP)         58 -     -    59.1  46  13   63   1  3  2.55  0.999     44  

2.  Jordan Romano (RHP)  71 -     -    79.0  53  12   93   5  2  1.91  0.855       7

Batting Order vs Righties                          AB   R  2B 3B HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS SB CS

1.  Cavan Biggio (2B/3B/OF) bats left      550  110 33   7   21    77   .310  .419  .477  .896  44   5

2.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right     591  94  43   4    24    93   .290  .347 .507  .854  13   4

3.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right                   523 121  47   5    33  100  .329  .378 .612  .990  33   6

4.  Rowdy Tellez (1B) bats left                  491  91   27    1    40  110  .288  .357 .607  .964   3    3

5.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. (DH/1B) bats right 511 120 33    1    43   134  .320  .389 .615 1.004 4    3

6.  Travis Shaw (3B/1B) bats left               383 51  15    1     23    63   .272  .325 .475  .800  1    2

7   Teoscar Hernandez (RF) bats right     573 90   25    4    37   103  .273  .340 .540 .880  21   7

8.  Randal Grichuk (CF) bats right          552 87   27    2    25     80  .255  .317 .446 .763   7    2

9.  Danny Jansen (C) bats right                403  67  22    0    10     50  .240  .310 .367 .677   0    1

Batting Order vs Lefties

1.  Cavan Biggio (2B/3B/OF) bats left

2.  Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (LF) bats right

3.  Bo Bichette (SS) bats right

4.  Vlad Guerrero Jr. (DH/1B) bats right

5.  Teoscar Hernandez (RF) bats right

6.  Randal Grichuk (CF) bats right

7.  Travis d'Arnaud (C/1B) bats right

8.  Rowdy Tellez (1B) bats left

9.  Jonathan Villar (3B/2B/SS) bats both

Bench                                                    AB  R  2B 3B HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS  SB CS    

1.  Travis d'Arnaud(C/1B)bats right 320 46  21   0   12   55   .320   .377  .520  .897    2     2  

2.  Jonathan Villar (3B/2B/SS) both  323 53  23   3     7   42   .263   .320  .420  .740  30   7  

3.  Joe Panik (2B/3B/SS) bats left      256 31  13   0    6    30   .267   .319  .367  .686    5    3      

4.  Santiago Espinal (2B/SS/3B) right110 12   5    0    1   10   .240   .290  .321  .611     3    1

5.  Jonathan Davis (OF) bats right    321 44   17  3    7   41    .281   .340  .420  .760    7    2  

The NHL of the 1970's - by Moses

      In 1972 the NHL sent their best players to play the U.S.S.R in an 8 game Summit Series.  Canada won on a late goal scored by Paul Henderson in game 8.  However, did anything really change after the series?  The Russians still weren't allowed to play in the NHL based on their heritage. It was John Ziegler as Commissioner, Alan Eagleson as counsel to the players association, and owner Harold Ballard who denied the NHLPA the clout to organize with foreign nations' players.  This played a large part in players in the NHL in the seventies being screwed out of millions of dollars.  As well, it preserved a protectionist view to only have players from Canada play in the NHL.  While things eventually evolved in the players favour, it was still an anti-union sentiment being spewed across the NHL in the seventies and we saw an influx of fighting in the NHL of the seventies as a result to accommodate American interests.  Had Harold Ballard honoured the Summit Series of 1972 Toronto would have gone out and brought in a couple of Russian Hockey players to play for the Leafs.  The team U.S.S.R of 1972 was as talented as our Canadian players.  While the tournament did open doors for international superstars such as Borje Salming, Kent Nilsson, Anders Hedberg, and Ulf Nilsson (from Sweden) and Peter Stastny, Anton Stastny, and Marian Stastny (from Czechoslovakia) among others, the doors of accepting any view with socialism involved were still nil.  This killed the idea of ensuring skilled players from a worldwide market.  Even though the World Hockey Association was established just after the 1972 Summit Series and accommodated the signing of players' from Europe and beyond, they were still considered the lesser of the two leagues in comparison to the NHL.

  Has anyone noticed how good the level of Hockey has become.  Every team has at least two superstars on them.  The players from the U.S.A, Europe, and Russia has increased infinitely in number in the last 30 years.  This is testament to the league taking a global approach.  Likewise this is true of the talent in the League being on such an upswing.  What I'd like to know is this; If a Portuguese-Canadian is told 'We can't play you because you're Portuguese.'  Is this mantra of never hire outside of Canada (that was employed before the '72 Summit Series) ever going to resurface?  If it does then you can count me out of negotiation for my Nation of Canada. 

Projected Totals for the 2018/2019 Toronto Maple Leafs - by Moses

Team Scoring

Player                                                     GP      G      A      PTS     +/-

1.  Mitch Marner                                    82      25     89      114     +35
2.  Auston Matthews                              68      50     47       97      +27
3.  John Tavares                                     82      43      52      95      +33
4.  Morgan Rielly                                   82      24      62      86      +40
5.  Kasperi Kapanen                              80      32      42      74      +33
6.  Nazem Kadri                                     77      26      40      66      +5
7.  William Nylander                              52      16     43       59     +17
8.  Patrick Marleau                                79      21      36      57      +15
9.  Zach Hyman                                      75      15      37      52      +26
10.Jake Gardiner                                    82      13     38       51      +30
11.Andreas Johnsson                              75      15     32       47      +15
12.Ron Hainsey                                       82       9      30       39      +40    
13.Tyler Ennis                                         80      11     26       37       +12
14.Connor Brown                                   70      10     25       35       +5                                         
                                                          
                                                                 Lines

                       LW                                       C                                     RW

1.        Andreas Johnsson               Auston Matthews           William Nylander

2.            Zach Hyman                      John Tavares                  Mitch Marner

3.         Patrick Marleau                   Nazem Kadri                 Kasperi Kapanen

4.            Tyler Ennis                     Frederik Gauthier              Connor Brown



                  Defence Pairings

1.  Morgan Rielly and Travis Dermott

2.  Jake Gardiner and Nikita Zaitsev

3.  Ron Hainsey and Calle Rosen *

4.  Igor Ozhiganov and Andreas Borgman *


Goaltending Statistics

Goalie                                  GP      W       L       OTL      Avg     Save %      Shutouts

1.  Frederik Andersen        67       45      17         5          2.33     0.928              6
2.  Garret Sparks                16        8        3          4          2.47     0.919              2        
3.  Ian Scott @


* - signifies currently with the Toronto Marlies

@ - signifies currently playing in the Juniors

The 2018/19 Toronto Maple Leafs - by Moses (a.k.a Stacey Marc Goldman)

  With the triumphant return of Auston Matthews, we see four lines that can compete with any organization in the NHL;

                                                           Lines

            LW                                             C                                             RW

1.  Zach Hyman                       Auston Matthews                     Kasperi Kapanen

2.  Andreas Johnsson                  John Tavares                           Mitch Marner

3.  Patrick Marleau                     Nazem Kadri                          Connor Brown

4.  Josh Leivo                           Frederik Gauthier                         Tyler Ennis


  What this writer would like to know of Leafs upper brass is who we'll acquire by the trade deadline.  Namely a top two defenceman.    

  With Auston Matthews and John Tavares, we have arguably the two best center-men in the game today.  Mitch Marner looks poised to lead the team in points and break the century mark as perhaps the best set-up man in the game today.  Matthews could very well top 50 goals this season (in a 68 game season - if he stays healthy the rest of the way), and Tavares still has a shot at 50 likewise.  Nazem Kadri playing alongside Marleau is a nice 3rd line option for further offensive production.  On the defence, we have Morgan Rielly leading the way, on to perhaps a Norris Trophy.  Ron Hainsey has been our best +/- player to date, and alongside Jake Gardiner gives us three defencemen who we can rely on for a deep playoff run.  Time will tell if Travis Dermott and Igor Ozhiganov can maintain solid defence with the Blue and White.  We also have stellar Toronto Marlies defenceman Calle Rosen who we can call up in a pinch.  

  What I'd like to know is what defencemen are available by trade today.  The assets that we can afford to part with are William Nylander, Nikita Zaitsev, and perhaps a high future draft pick.

Leaf lines (with and without Auston Matthews) - Stacey Marc Goldman (a.k.a Moses)

                 Leaf Lines (without Auston Matthews)

         Left-Wing                       C                         Right-Wing

1.  Zach Hyman             John Tavares             Mitch Marner

2.  Patrick Marleau        Nazem Kadri          Kasperi Kapanen    

3.  Andreas Johnsson     Par Lindholm           Connor Brown 

4.  Josh Leivo              Frederik Gauthier          Tyler Ennis

                    Leaf Lines (with Auston Matthews)

1.  Zach Hyman           Auston Matthews       Kasperi Kapanen

2.  Patrick Marleau        John Tavares              Mitch Marner

3.  Andreas Johnsson      Nazem Kadri             Connor Brown

4.  Josh Leivo              Frederik Gauthier           Tyler Ennis 

or

1.  Zach Hyman            Auston Matthews         Kasperi Kapanen

2.  Nazem Kadri              John Tavares                Mitch Marner

3.  Andreas Johnsson    Patrick Marleau            Connor Brown 

4.  Josh Leivo                  Par Lindholm                 Tyler Ennis   

Leafs Trade - by Moses

From The Toronto Maple Leafs;  William Nylander and Nikita Zaitsev to the Carolina Hurricanes for;  Dougie Hamilton

The Current Team (let's remember now, Auston Matthews is out for at least another 2 weeks)


Goalies

1.  Frederik Andersen
2.  Garret Sparks
3.  Ian Scott @

Defencemen

1.  Morgan Rielly
2.  Dougie Hamilton
3.  Jake Gardiner
4.  Ron Hainsey
5.  Travis Dermott
6.  Igor Ozhiganov 
7.  Calle Rosen *
8.  Martin Marincin
9.  Andreas Borgman *

Forwards

1.  Auston Matthews (C) +
2.  Mitch Marner (RW/C))
3.  John Tavares (C)
4.  Nazem Kadri (C/LW)
5.  Kasperi Kapanen (RW)
6.  Patrick Marleau (LW/C)
7.  Zach Hyman (LW)
8.  Andreas Johnsson (LW)
9.  Connor Brown (RW)
10.Tyler Ennis (Forward) 
11.Josh Leivo (Forward)
12.Trevor Moore (LW) *
13.Frederik Gauthier (C)
14.Carl Grundstrom (LW) *

Legend

@ - still playing in Junior

+ - on injured reserve

* - currently playing for the Toronto Marlies

The 2019 Toronto Blue Jays and Proposed Trades - by Moses (a.k.a Stacey Marc Goldman)

Proposed Trades

1.  From the Toronto Blue Jays;  Lourdes Gurriel to the Milwaukee Brewers for Eric Thames

2.  From the Toronto Blue Jays;  Teoscar Hernandez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Robby Ray


As a result here is our team for the upcoming year...

Pitching Staff

1.  Aaron Sanchez (RHP)
2.  Robby Ray (LHP)
3.  Marcus Stroman (RHP)
4.  Ryan Borucki (LHP)
5.  Sean Reid-Foley (RHP)
6.  Danny Barnes (RHP)
7.  Travis Bergen (LHP)
8.  Thomas Pannone (LHP)
9.  Ryan Tepera (RHP)
10.Ken Giles (RHP)

Batting Lineup vs Righties

1.  Kevin Pillar CF (Bats Right)
2.  Cavan Biggio 2B (Bats Left)
3.  Justin Smoak 1B (Bats Both)
4.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3B (Bats Right)
5.  Eric Thames DH/1B (Bats Left)
6.  Randal Grichuk LF (Bats Right)
7.  Dalton Pompey RF (Bats Both)
8.  Russell Martin C/3B (Bats Right)
9.  Bo Bichette SS (Bats Right)

Batting Lineup vs Lefties

1.  Kevin Pillar CF (Bats Right)
2.  Randal Grichuk LF (Bats Right) 
3.  Justin Smoak 1B (Bats Both)
4.  Vladimir Guerrero 3B (Bats Right)
5.  Kendrys Morales DH (Bats Both)
6.  Russell Martin C/3B (Bats Right)
7.  Devon Travis 2B (Bats Right)
8.  Bo Bichette SS (Bats Right)
9.  Dalton Pompey RF (Bats Both)

Bench

Catchers

1.  Russell Martin - R
2.  Danny Jansen - R

Utility Players

1.  Devon Travis 2B/3B - R
2.  Bo Bichette SS/2B/3B - R
3.  Cavan Biggio 2B/3B - L
4.  Aledmys Diaz SS/3B - R

1st Basemen, DH's, and Pinch Hitters

1.  Eric Thames - L
2.  Rowdy Tellez - L
3.  Kendrys Morales - B

Outfield

1.  Kevin Pillar (CF) - R
2.  Dalton Pompey (OF) - B
3.  Randal Grichuk (OF) - R 
4.  Dwight Smith Jr. (RF) - L
5.  Anthony Alford (OF) - R