Blue Jays get some encouraging signs in hunt for consistency

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When the Blue Jays swept the doubleheader from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, it felt like I was watching the team I expected to see all year long. Kevin Gausman was excellent in his start in the first game while Jose Berrios looked good in the nightcap. The bullpen was solid in holding the leads. The defence was strong. Offensively, they got a huge day from Bo Bichette with six hits and seven RBI on the day including a three-homer performance in game No. 2. George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Teoscar Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. all contributed throughout the two games. The Jays looked like the Jays!

The team has been very streaky all season long. So, it is premature to believe that they have found themselves completely. It was great to see Bichette carry the offence. It’s been a bit of a down season for him both offensively and defensively. If he can carry this newfound success through the rest of the season and into October, it could make all of the difference. The Jays needed another big bat to get hot and Bichette is it. The offence has been the most inconsistent part of the club all year. The better the offence, the better the pitching will be. Pitchers are always more aggressive and successful when they get run support. It provides a margin for error that usually motivates them to attack the opposition without fear of giving up too many hits or home runs. By throwing strikes and attacking hitters, pitchers are much more effective than when they nibble the corners and try to miss bats. 

The darn fifth spot in the rotation showed its ugly head again on Tuesday. Mitch White, acquired at the deadline from the Dodgers, emerged as the answer in that role after Yusei Kikuchi had