Know Thine Enemy 2009: Toronto Blue Jays

It wasn’t long ago that the Toronto Blue Jays were expected to be in the position now occupied by the Tampa Bay Rays as the third wheel atop the American League East.  While there is some strong young talent in Toronto, J.P. Riccardi’s five year plan is...

Know Thy Enemy: 2008 Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are being picked as the team to upset the Red Sox and the Yankees. At least Bob Ryan thinks so. I think otherwise and here is why. Vernon Wells is not the same player of old and the pitching has to stay healthy which I do not think it will. Most...

2007 Saves per Inning Pitched

Every year, I run a feature here at Fire Brand called Saves per Inning Pitched (SIP). It’s a little statistic I made up that in the general scheme of things, probably means nothing. But I like doing it because it tells me what teams utilize their closer as a...

Glaus and Wells power Jays past Sox

Troy Glaus tied the game with a solo-homerun in the seventh inning at 4-4 and Vernon Wells hit a two-run shot in the top of the ninth off of Hideki Okajima ousting the Boston Red Sox 6-4. Wells hit his 16th homerun of the season against Okajima who had not given up a...

Sox bats provide no run support for Beckett, lose 2-1 to Toronto

Josh Beckett (12-3) pitched well enough to earn his 13th win throwing for 8 innings, giving up seven hits, two runs, two walks, and eight strikeouts, but it was not enough as the Boston Red Sox (55-36) only pushed across one lone run as Blue Jays rookie starter Jesse...

Sox let one slip, lose to Jays 6-5

Despite a rough start from Julian Tavarez the Boston Red Sox (54-35) still had a chance to win, but Kyle Snyder surrendered two runs in the sixth to the Toronto Blue Jays (44-45) who eventually won 6-5 despite a ninth inning rally by Boston. First time All-Star...

Know Thy Enemy 2007: Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to take the next step. The team that leapfrogged the Red Sox for second place at the deep end of last season is now focusing their attention on a first place crown and a much awaited playoff appearance. Life for Toronto...