I just feel so bad for the pitching staff thus far. They are throwing great games but getting no help at the plate at all. Then the piss-poor umping gets magnified because YES, in a one run game blown calls DO mean something.
- markmark

I've said it for years, that because the Jays are a Canadian franchise and therefore receive lesser ratings on the major networks in the States, that they rarely receive the benefit of the doubt and get (frank)ed on calls... The strike zone in the first two games is a prime example. Even in Game 3 vs Texas, Odor clearly swung (check swing) and was called for a ball which eventually lead to their rally to go ahead 6-5. It (frank)ing stunk.

MLB is big business and you know damn well that they're concerned with the bottom line and the Jays being in the World Series is simply bad for business.

Are you saying that Trouba has a great shot at being the next tom kurvers?

*Seriously though, the more I think about it, the more I don't want the leafs to trade any first round picks. It always blows up in our faces. Everytime.
- mykokes

Im not suggesting we trade any first. Just saying weve done it before

I'm just kidding sensy. I hate Jays fans too. Ken Pagan the most, but the kneejerk chickenlittle spazbags are a close second.
- 1979AD

Jose back to the leadoff spot

I've said it for years, that because the Jays are a Canadian franchise and therefore receive lesser ratings on the major networks in the States, that they rarely receive the benefit of the doubt and get (frank)ed on calls... The strike zone in the first two games is a prime example. Even in Game 3 vs Texas, Odor clearly swung (check swing) and was called for a ball which eventually lead to their rally to go ahead 6-5. It (frank)ing stunk.

MLB is big business and you know damn well that they're concerned with the bottom line and the Jays being in the World Series is simply bad for business.
- As_I_See_It

Actually its not bad for business, jays have a higher tv rating overall then most teams.
i dont believe the conspiracy, the jays have just sucked at the plate
Theyll win tonight

Jose back to the leadoff spot
- senstroll

That's good to see. Tulo 4th too. Not sure we've seen that all season.

Actually its not bad for business, jays have a higher tv rating overall then most teams.
i dont believe the conspiracy, the jays have just sucked at the plate
Theyll win tonight
- Fakepartofme

Not in the US. Not in the ALCS, let alone World Series. Why do you think the Cubs/Dodgers series gets the prime time spot at 8:00pm when both series are playing that day?

US ratings. Fact.

That's good to see. Tulo 4th too. Not sure we've seen that all season.
- 1979AD

I like it also

Not in the US. Not in the ALCS, let alone World Series. Why do you think the Cubs/Dodgers series gets the prime time spot at 8:00pm when both series are playing that day?

US ratings. Fact.
- As_I_See_It

If an umpiring conspiracy dictated by MLB could ever be proven, that would be the end of MLB.

They're not going to assume an existential risk to make sure the Jays don't make the WS. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have been in the WS in recent years. They can't even fill their own stadium in the playoffs and nobody gives a poop about them.

If an umpiring conspiracy dictated by MLB could ever be proven, that would be the end of MLB.

They're not going to assume an existential risk to make sure the Jays don't make the WS. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have been in the WS in recent years. They can't even fill their own stadium in the playoffs and nobody gives a poop about them.
- 1979AD

Then perhaps you can explain this?...

http://www.espn.com/blog/...gnificant-through-2-games

Im not suggesting we trade any first. Just saying weve done it before
- Fakepartofme

ANd I'm agreeing with you.

ANd I'm agreeing with you.
- mykokes

It's a trap!

Then perhaps you can explain this?...

http://www.espn.com/blog/...gnificant-through-2-games
- As_I_See_It

Did you read the first two lines?

"The Cleveland Indians have a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays on the strength of their pitching.

But their catching may have a little something to do with it too."

I read the whole article earlier and couldn't find a single piece of evidence to the theory that the MLB is instructing their umpires to ensure the Jays don't make the world series. Am I missing something?

You may want to read this too: http://www.cbssports.com/...gainst-blue-jays-in-alcs/

last year was a poop show, it was painful.

this year I feel like there is hope, even if we end up 20th or whatever.

the future actually looks promising.
- Lucas Neilson

Got to admit though, watching last year was like having a substitute teacher...didn't really care just kinda waited for the class (games/season) to be done.

That was soooo much easier on the nerves than years before of actually expecting/hoping to have a winning team and losing all the (frank)ING time.

Did you read the first two lines?

"The Cleveland Indians have a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays on the strength of their pitching.

But their catching may have a little something to do with it too."

I read the whole article earlier and couldn't find a single piece of evidence to the theory that the MLB is instructing their umpires to ensure the Jays don't make the world series. Am I missing something?

You may want to read this too: http://www.cbssports.com/...gainst-blue-jays-in-alcs/
- 1979AD

Conspiracy aside, it just stings when it's one run games. Open the scoring up by 3-4 more runs and this isn't even mentioned.

FWIW, if you put together ESPNs analysis with FanGraphs' value of missed strike call being 1/7th a run = 1 run.

Did you read the first two lines?

"The Cleveland Indians have a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays on the strength of their pitching.

But their catching may have a little something to do with it too."

I read the whole article earlier and couldn't find a single piece of evidence to the theory that the MLB is instructing their umpires to ensure the Jays don't make the world series. Am I missing something?

You may want to read this too: http://www.cbssports.com/...gainst-blue-jays-in-alcs/
- 1979AD

You've watched the games and saw the highlights, right? There were NUMEROUS OBVIOUS BALLS that were called strikes on the Jays. When poop is that far off the plate, it doesn't matter how good a catcher is at framing.

The fact that there are articles with statistical evidence that support the disparity of called strikes should be alarming enough... AND IT'S BY ESPN WHO IS NOTORIOUS FOR PISSING ON CANADIAN TEAMS FROM ALL SPORTS.

prompting columnist Steve Simmons to write, "Though he says he’s not worried about his goaltending, Mike Babcock is worried about his goaltending."

Simmons is the epitome of an objective journalist.

Conspiracy aside, it just stings when it's one run games. Open the scoring up by 3-4 more runs and this isn't even mentioned.

FWIW, if you put together ESPNs analysis with FanGraphs' value of missed strike call being 1/7th a run = 1 run.
- markmark

This is known as "framing" throughout the rest of the season and thought to be a catcher's skill. That's the point the ESPN analysis is making - that Perez out-framed Martin through the first two games.

You've watched the games and saw the highlights, right? There were NUMEROUS OBVIOUS BALLS that were called strikes on the Jays. When poop is that far off the plate, it doesn't matter how good a catcher is at framing.

The fact that there are articles with statistical evidence that support the disparity of called strikes should be alarming enough... AND IT'S BY ESPN WHO IS NOTORIOUS FOR PISSING ON CANADIAN TEAMS FROM ALL SPORTS.
- As_I_See_It

You mean like this one that supports the exact opposite?

http://www.cbssports.com/...gainst-blue-jays-in-alcs/

Stop asserting that there's an anti-Canada conspiracy in MLB. Or at least find some solid evidence first. It makes us all look silly.

You mean like this one that supports the exact opposite?

http://www.cbssports.com/...gainst-blue-jays-in-alcs/

Stop asserting that there's an anti-Canada conspiracy in MLB. Or at least find some solid evidence first. It makes us all look silly.
- 1979AD

I think we all agree it's all Bettman's fault ...

Simmons is the epitome of an objective journalist.
- TheMussel

I don't know how he maintains employment.

I don't know how he maintains employment.
- BetterCallSaul

Everything about him sucks. I can't think of one positive thing about him.

For example: I hate Glenn Healey, but he played in the NHL which makes him some kind of authority on the subject matter of hockey

I can't say one positive thing about Simmons.

I disagree

Hey guys. Spending a good chunk of money getting some renos done at home. One of the projects is my basement man cave. I want to paint a Leaf logo or two. Any clue where I can buy stencils for these. Please and thanks. I'll hang up and listen.

Everything about him sucks. I can't think of one positive thing about him.

For example: I hate Glenn Healey, but he played in the NHL which makes him some kind of authority on the subject matter of hockey

I can't say one positive thing about Simmons.
- TheMussel

While I hate Simmons, I do enjoy the facial twitch fireworks. I do hate Healey more.

Hey guys. Spending a good chunk of money getting some renos done at home. One of the projects is my basement man cave. I want to paint a Leaf logo or two. Any clue where I can buy stencils for these. Please and thanks. I'll hang up and listen.
- systemtool

I've seen people get a projector with an image and project the outlines on the wall, and then paint over the light/shadowy portions.

You can even go so far as to pencil the outlines and then mask off the edges and lettering if you can't paint with a steady hand.