TORONTO — With 38 games to play in a season that will not be remembered for on-field success, theare holding open auditions. Opportunity and playing time abound for young athletes who want to prove they can play a strong part in the next competitive Blue Jays season, which optimists will argue could occur as soon as 2020, and realists will contend isn’t a likely scenario until 2021.
Wednesday was Reid-Foley’s 13th major-league start over the last two seasons. And it was the seventh time he’s failed to complete five innings. While MLB teams are relying on their bullpens more than ever, seldom letting a starter go through a lineup three full times, it remains a near necessity that a starting pitcher get at least 15 outs before the end of their outing. And over his brief big-league sample, Reid-Foley’s been unable to do it more often than not.
But while Reid-Foley’s pitches were accurate, they weren’t featuring swing-and-miss action, which allowed Texas hitters to battle deep into counts. Reid-Foley’s pitch count surpassed 50 with two out in the second inning, as the Rangers persistently fought off pitches around the edges of the strike zone until they got something over the heart of the plate.
The third was much smoother, as Reid-Foley retired the side on 16 pitches. But the fourth began with a 10-pitch battle with Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who worked a walk and seemingly forced the Blue Jays starter to empty his gas tank. Reid-Foley walked the next hitter as well on only five pitches and was out of the game a batter later, having missed the zone with 10 of his final 14 pitches.
ArdenZwelling Clock ticking? Who is gonna push him out of the job? Kay?
ArdenZwelling Another loss?
ArdenZwelling Attitude problem?