Series recap: Blue Jays’ bullpen melt down in series against Brewers

The Toronto Blue Jays had a huge test over the weekend.

They hosted the Major League Baseball-leading Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series, dropping the first two games, but defeating the National League team in the season finale. Let’s take a look at what happened in the series.

For the first five innings, Friday’s game was a pitching duel between Shane Bieber and Freddy Peralta. The scoreless game saw its first run in the top of the sixth as Bieber gave up a solo shot, and after a single, he was pulled. It was all downhill from there, as the bullpen allowed the inherited run to score, with the Brewers scoring five runs in total that inning. In the end, the Jays fell 7-2.

Like Friday’s game, Saturday saw the two teams scoreless entering the sixth. This time, it was the Jays that took the lead, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a sacrifice fly. The Brewers tied it in the top of the seventh with a groundout RBI, leaving the teams tied at one heading into the ninth. Jeff Hoffman came in, gave up two solo home runs and another run, as the Jays fell 4-1.

Thankfully, the Jays were able to avoid the sweep on Sunday with an 8-4 victory. The Brewers put up a two-spot in the top of the first, but the Jays answered with three runs in the bottom of the first, in large part to a two-out, two-run double from Nathan Lukes. Toronto took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth, but it was an RBI double from Tyler Heineman and a two-RBI single from Myles Straw in the bottom of the fifth that gave the Jays the victory.

That said, they were in all three games because of their starting pitching. Bieber made his home debut, giving up two earned runs in five and one-third innings while striking out six. He was tagged with the loss, but it was a good start. Kevin Gausman also had a great start, giving up one earned run over seven innings, earning a no-decision. Max Scherzer also got a no-decision, but he gave up four earned runs in four innings of work, leaving the game with back tightness.

While their starters gave the Jays a chance to win all three games, their bullpen and offence didn’t. Starting with the bullpen, only three pitchers: Tommy Nance, Seranthony Domínguez, and Yariel Rodríguez didn’t give up a run in the series. Nance finished with two innings of work with three strikeouts.

Louis Varland’s streak of giving up at least an earned run continued on Friday, but he was able to pitch a scoreless inning in Sunday’s game. Justin Bruihl, who was optioned before Sunday’s game, gave up two earned runs in an inning, while their other lefty, Brendon Little, gave up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Lastly, Jeff Hoffman gave up two solo home runs and three runs in Saturday’s game, earning a loss. He rebounded on Sunday, getting all three outs to close out an 8-4 victory.

As much as the bullpen struggled over the weekend, their bats didn’t give them a chance to win either, at least until Sunday. Only one player with more than 10 plate appearances finished with a wRC+ above 100, as George Springer had a 111 wRC+ in 13 plate appearances. Myles Straw, Ty France, Ernie Clement, and Tyler Heineman all finished with a wRC+ of 100 or higher, with Straw posting a team-leading 356 wRC+ in eight plate appearances.

Addison Barger had an okay weekend, slashing .300/.364/.300 for a 93 wRC+. Bo Bichette had a 61 wRC+, Alejandro Kirk had 52 wRC+, and Daulton Varsho had a 50 wRC+, albeit he was pulled from Friday’s game after being hit in the hand with a pitch.

Lukes hit a big double in Sunday’s game, but ended with an 18 wRC+. David Schneider only received five plate appearances, getting a hit but striking out twice for a 6 wRC+. Andrés Giménez had a rough weekend, batting .100 in 10 plate appearances.

That leaves Guerrero Jr., who slashed .091/.154/.091 in 13 plate appearances. The Blue Jays’ starting first baseman just hasn’t looked right since returning from his six-game absence. Hopefully, he can get going this week.

Although the Jays dropped two of three, their lead of the American League East only dropped by one game as the New York Yankees fell to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. They have a three-game lead over the Yankees and a three-and-a-half game lead over the Boston Red Sox, with the tiebreaker over both teams.

We’re entering the crunch time of the season, and the Jays begin September with a three-game series in Ohio against the Cincinnati Reds. Looking ahead, they’ll play a crucial weekend series against the Yankees, followed by a home series against the Houston Astros and another one against the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays then hit the road, facing the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals, before hosting the Red Sox and Rays to end the season.