Getting it Going: Series Tied Heads back to Toronto

Written By Joanna



The last two games of baseball where some of the best and most harrowing games I've ever watched. I felt nauseous all afternoon on Sunday because I wasn't ready to let this team go yet. I wanted the game to start, but the game starting meant that we were ever closer to the possibility of no more Blue Jays baseball for 2015.

There was a little too much of this:



Thankfully, the Blue Jays we've watched all season showed the hell up. Supreme offense,  excellent defense and great pitching.

Watching the playoffs as a neutral observer the last few seasons I've noticed that it is often the third or fourth pitcher in the rotation that makes the difference. Marco Estrada has been the difference all season for this team and he certainly brought it on Sunday night in a gutsy and sharp performance.

In the Post, Josh Donaldson praised Estrada:



R.A. Dickey was also great on Monday afternoon and was able to relax and get a good knuckle ball going when the offense torched Rangers' starter Derek Holland.

Gibby pulled Dickey and put in David Price out of the pen in the fourth. And for four and a half innings, people fretted about it.
Hearing Gibby's rationale, the move makes sense. Also, Marcus Stroman will be available on regular rest for Game Five as will the rest of the rested bullpen. This also lines Price up for the first game of the ALCS, should it get that far.

Of course, that still wasn't enough for some:


Oh. My. Gawd. If you've ever wondered what damage hack journalism and ridiculous questions in press conferences could produce, there you go.

This team is now right back into the series, headed back home after being down 0-2. The bats have woken up, the pitching seems in line and they are all stirring it up again. The Blue Jays actually look like the Blue Jays again.

But no, apparently Gibbons has destroyed a close club.  Some of the reporters present raked Gibbons over the coals for that game, so he's going to be a little defensive. He actually made light of some of the questions about Dickey being angry.

As per the tweet above, here is what the deal was: Choo had two hits on Dickey, Gibbons makes the move to put in Price. Gibby was tough about it and is aware of the consequences. Gibbons seems really good at the "man management" aspects of big league managing.

And judging by the team quotes after game, everyone seems on board. Per Arden Zwelling's Twitter:




Dickey himself was honest but classy in the post game conference.

(I just love hearing this guy talk, by the way. I'm jealous of his children who get stories read to them. There is a softness to R.A.'s whole being that is lovely. He needs to narrate books on tape. Dickey needs to be asked to talk about the Blue Jays forever. Shine on, Little Horsey.)


It just doesn't seem like they hate each other. They look a little weary, but it's been a long few days. It was also hot. Maybe Price is a bit subdued because he wants to make sure Dickey gets his moment.

Price was actually in the 'pen during Sunday night's game. This was described perfectly by LaTroy Hawkins, per Lott's Twitter:

"Damn right, I'm live."

Other bonus of having Price in the 'pen:

We're back in this, friends. Let's do the damn thing.


ETA: Christ Colabello is having himself a hell of a series. A piece on his long journey to the Blue Jays was in the New York Times this weekend.  

Ben Nicholson-Smith has a piece on him, too. 



I went to a signing earlier in the year. Colabello is a really nice guy. His dad was sitting just off to the side and it made me happy for his dad to be able to witness his kid's moment. So many people lined up to meet him after such a long road.
Joanna
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