If the Jays had any chance of the wild card, it ended this past weekend when they lost two out of three against the Wild Card leading Boston Red Sox.  The Jays went into the series only seven games back of the Red Sox.  Unfortunately, they lost Friday night 8-4.   Thus, making them eight games behind Boston.  On Saturday they bounced back and completely annihilated the Red Sox 11-0!  It was the 3^rd time in less than a week that the Jays scored more than eleven runs (two against the Sox).   They were now back to where they started, seven games behind Boston.   Sunday’s game was pretty much a make or break game.  If they won, their six games behind.  If they lost, they were back to eight games.  Well as we know, they fell to the Red Sox 6-5 in eleven innings.  Brandon League gave up a home run to Lowrie in the 11^th.  So now they are eight games behind Boston with 32 games left and three teams ahead of them in the Wild Card race.  Here are the standings:

          This could’ve been a lot different if Toronto would’ve swept the Boston series.  If Toronto would’ve won all three, they would be only five games behind.  Here is what it would have looked like had they swept.

Minnesota             74         56             -

Boston                  73         57                      1                 

NY Yankees          70         60             4

Toronto                69         61             5

          Wow!  What a difference two wins make!   Minnesota would be in first and the Jays would only be five back.  But, that is the beauty of baseball.  It is a game of what “if’s” and “how it could’ve been”.   Maybe the Jays should start looking towards next season.  I still think the Jays should trade (or put on the waiver wire) a few players and let some rookies play.  A few examples would be David Eckstein and John McDonald.  Both are shortstops and Riccardi has acknowledged that he would like to upgrade that position.  Eckstein for obvious reasons as apparently Cito Gaston has something against the little man.  John McDonald would probably give you a ‘B’ prospect.

          In other news, the Blue Jays acquired Jose Bautista (Bautista, J, click on this to display Bautista’s stats) from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday for a player to be named later.  That player was announced today.  It is Catcher Robinson Diaz.  I find this a little odd because Bautista was banished to the minors by Pittsburgh and Diaz was suppose to be one of the higher rated prospects of the Blue Jays.  At the beginning of the season Diaz was ranked first ahead of Curtis Thigpen in the Catcher position.   Unfortunately he did not have a good season as it was limited because of an ankle injury.  The surprising thing about Jose Bautista is that his 12 home runs would be tied for the team lead on the Blue Jays.   Riccardi acquired him because he knows that Rolen will probably never play a full season again and they need a quality back up third baseman.  Bautista can also play the outfield.

          On Tuesday the Blue Jays travel to Tampa Bay to play the Rays.  Perhaps the Jays will sweep and everyone will think they have a chance to win the division.  Think again.

Thanks for reading and bye for now.