NEWS

                  *Predictions are an inexact science and meant to be taken as such. So please, don't shoot the messenger

Overview:

The Blue Jays may have orchestrated a thrilling first-round win last week to advance to the Bronx/Manhattan Divisional Series, but the odds are definitely stacked against them now, as they get set to take on the division’s top seed in the Roughriders. Can the Jays keep flying? Or will Juan Ramos’ crew run away in a three-game set? We are getting set to find out. 

On Aug. 6, the first-year Jays outlasted their veteran opponents, topping the Beers 6-5 in a 10-inning elimination nail-biter. The Blue Jays got a huge performance from starter Joey McDonald, who authored a strong nine-inning outing in which he notched 11 strikeouts. McDonald did not factor into the decision, as Edikson Alcantrara, who entered in the top of the 10th, picked up the win when Francisco Candelario singled home the winning run in the form of Carlos Cruz in the bottom half of the inning.

But they will have their hands full this week, as they take on the most well-balanced team in the division. The Riders have a plethora of pitchers that should more than be able to handle a three game weekend – assuming it gets that far. The Riders may not have one definitive ace, but their rotational depth more than makes up for it. Preseason acquisitions Tony Zagoras and Alex Gounaris have served as the team’s workhorses this season, while lefthander Julian Monserrate has kept teams off balance from the other side of the rubber while pitching to a 2.25 ERA. Danny Vega has also proved to be effective this year, posting a 2.85 ERA primarily pitching out of the bullpen.

Offensively, the Riders can hit the longball, steal bases and consistently throw out lineups that are 9-10 hitters deep, which makes lives difficult for opposing hurlers. They will be shorthanded this weekend however, as Rocky Marmolejos – perhaps the best clutch hitter in the league – will be suspended for the first two games of the series. Even without him, though, the Riders have more than enough firepower to hang a bunch of runs on teams quickly.

The Jays have played the Riders tough this year, however. In a late April meeting between the two teams, they fell to Ramos’ club 5-1 and earned a 4-4 split in the other game.

Prediction:

Playoff baseball comes down to pitching, and nobody has more of it than the Riders. Even if the Blue Jays are able to steal an early game this series, it will be near impossible for them to beat the Riders if the series goes three games.

The Riders’ bats will make Jays pitchers pay on mistakes, their arms will keep the scores down, and their defense will ensure that they won’t be giving the Blue Jays extra outs.        

RoughRiders in 2 games