2016 ALDS Preview: Rangers vs Blue Jays
This is one of the series everyone wanted to see. It’s a rivalry reborn even though its almost exactly a year after it happened. If you haven’t figured, it is between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers. To describe the rivalry, it would be more appropriate to say it through certain words: the bat flip, the punch, the slide, etc. They clearly don’t like each other, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a fun series to watch. The Blue Jays have a 4-3 edge in the season series this year, which goes to show that they play hard and tough games as evidenced by the record. But lets look at the teams.
Blue Jays
Pitchers
Joe Biagini
Brett Cecil
Marco Estrada
Scott Feldman
Jason Grilli
JA Happ
Francisco Liriano
Aaron Loup
Roberto Osuna
Aaron Sanchez
Marcus Stroman
Ryan Tepera
Despite their bullpen being good in the Wild Card Game, there is still concern. Osuna is a very good closer, but has not been all that solid of late and was injured in the last game. Grilli has lots of experience, but like Osuna, has struggled for a bit. Biagini has struggled of late as well, but he has been a nice surprise as a Rule 5 pick. Tepera, Feldman, Loup, and Cecil have all been solid this season, but Loup especially after he was sent down to the minors for a bit to work some things out. Estrada, Liriano, and Sanchez round out the rotation with Stroman as this is a very good rotation. Heck, even Happ who is included here is very good too.
Catchers
Russell Martin
Dioner Navarro
Martin is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, but he also can do some damage with the bat. Navarro was picked up mid-season and provides depth.
Infielders
Darwin Barney
Josh Donaldson
Justin Smoak
Devon Travis
Troy Tulowitzki
Edwin Encarnacion
Donaldson is an MVP candidate this year as he is regarded as one of the best players in the league. Tulowitzki is a very good shortstop as he hits for average, power, has some speed, and overall a good defensive player. Travis has been a solid player for them as he is good defensively and puts up quality at bats. Encarnacion is one of their best power threats as obvious after the Wild Card game with his home run. He can play first base, but is best being the designated hitter. Smoak is a left handed bat that will very likely play first base if they continue into the next round as he has a good glove. Barney is outstanding with his glove and has some speed as he looks to come in likely for defensive purposes.
Outfielders
Jose Bautista
Ezequiel Carrera
Kevin Pillar
Michael Saunders
Melvin Upton Jr.
Pillar is one of the best defensive players in the game as he puts together Superman like highlights in the field. He is fun to watch with his glove. Bautista is one of the most feared sluggers in the game, but he also has a cannon of an arm in right field. Saunders is one of the most underrated players in the game who finally found his power stroke this season. Carrera is a speedy player who is also great with the glove. Upton Jr. was once a top prospect with his five tool caliber, however, he hasn’t lived up to the expectations. He has had a good season and could be valuable in this game.
Stats to consider
Team offense in 2016: .248 221 home runs
Team pitching in 2016: 3.78 ERA
Vs Rangers
Team Offense in 2016: .280 9 home runs and 35 RBIs
Team Pitching in 2016: 2.83 ERA
Rangers
Pitchers
Tony Barnette
Matt Bush
Alex Claudio
Yu Darvish
Jake Diekman
Sam Dyson
Cole Hamels
Jeffery Jeffress
Keone Kela
Colby Lewis
Martin Perez
Barnette, Bush, Claudio, and Diekman have all been reliable relivers. Dyson has become outstanding and he has some support from Kela and Jeffress who have been very good this year. Darvish, Lewis, Perez, and Hamels make up a very good rotation here, but Hamels has struggled of late.
Catchers
Robinson Chirinos
Jonathan Lucroy
Lucroy is one of the best catchers in the game, probably behind Buster Posey, but he is still very good. Chirinos is a very good backup.
Infielders
Elvis Andrus
Adrian Beltre
Mitch Moreland
Rougned Odor
Jurickson Profar
This infield is awsome as all of these players should be starters. Andrus has a lot of experience, but is still a solid hitter and good base runner. Beltre may be getting old, but he is still a very good athlete and a leader on this team. Moreland has a lot of pop but plays a good first base. Odor is one of the more underrated players, but he is one of the best in my opinion. Profar is the lone man out here as he deserves a starting spot. Just a bad luck of the draw I guess
Outfielders
Shin-Soo Choo
Ian Desmond
Carlos Gomez
Jared Hoying
Nomar Mazara
Ryan Rua
Carlos Beltran
Choo was once one of the best players in the league but injuries and age caught up to him. Desmond converted to the outfield this year and revitalized a promising career. Gomez did the same as Desmond, but he has more upside. Hoying provides depth. Mazara is a future superstar as he played well in Choo’s absence. Rua should be a starter soon as he is talented as all get out. Beltran provides production and leadership as this maybe his last chance at glory.
Stats to consider
Team offense in 2016: .262 215 home runs
Team pitching in 2016: 4.37 ERA
Vs Rangers
Team Offense in 2016: .219 7 home runs and 19 RBIs
Team Pitching in 2016: 4.45 ERA
Prediction
These two teams have some great offense and awesome pitching. This will be a closer series than some will predict, but honestly I just can’t go against the Rangers since I feel like they are more of the complete team here. I have the Rangers winning but it will be a close series. Rangers are 36-11 in one run games and if it gets to that point in this series, Blue Jays will have some issues. Keep in mind with that.