Information » ely forgettable career as a backup QB. Ever

TORONTO – The debate over chemistry, whether it exists in baseball and, if so, to what degree it matters, will likely never be completely settled. The question gets asked often these days, whether these Blue Jays get along better this year than they did in 2013. The assumption seems to be that they do because theyre winning more than theyre losing. J.A. Happ, who along with Mark Buehrle are the only two current Jays to take part in an on-field world championship celebration, summed it up. “You just feed off each other,” he said. “The musics better. The jokes are better. Everythings better when youre winning. Thats kind of the way it goes. People start getting louder. You feed off that. You feed off peoples personalities.” Its a chicken and egg deal. Winning is the egg, which begets the chicken that is chemistry. More to the point, manager John Gibbons has settled into a number of roster combinations that are producing results. Helping him in this endeavour is a cadre of players who began the season at Triple-A Buffalo. “Weve got a handful of them,” said manager John Gibbons. “We brought [Steve] Tolleson up to be the second baseman against left-handers. Hes doing a great job with that. Of course Gose and Pillar, filling in for Colby, have been a pretty good combo there. Kratzys been up and down a couple of times, but hes fit in. Theyre all contributing.” Juan Francisco, signed off the scrap heap when the Milwaukee Brewers decided late in spring they didnt want to pay him despite an 18-home run season last year, is hitting .280/.370/.602 (.973 OPS) with eight home runs. Anthony Gose entered Mondays action with a slash line of .296/.457/.407. Three of his eight hits are doubles. Hes walked seven times against eight strikeouts, a small sample size, but a great ratio nonetheless. Gose has two stolen bases, but anyone whos watched him play knows hes created runs with his speed and prevented runs with his defence. After a slow start, Kevin Pillar looks up and sees a .304 batting average. Erik Kratz has three home runs in just 45 at-bats. Tolleson, in a small sample size, is hitting better than .300 and has posted a .946 OPS. Gibbons has also established batteries for all three of his catchers. Kratz has become J.A. Happs personal catcher. Josh Thole serves the same role for R.A. Dickey. Dioner Navarro is behind the plate for every Mark Buehrle start. “Hes able to give Navarro a little bit of a breather,” said Gibbons of Kratz. “Against left-handed pitching you can DH (Navarro). Thats where we feel were strongest.” Against right-handed starting pitching, Francisco plays third base and Lawrie second base. Lawrie heads over to third base, where hes most comfortable, when the opposition starts a left-hander. Tolleson plays second. The Jays have a fearsome late-game bench when the opponent starts a lefty. Adam Lind and Francisco are lingering, waiting for their names to be called. “As the game goes on, the only place youre vulnerable, you get to a certain point of the game theyre always going to have that lefty ready,” said Gibbons. “Teams that have enough lefties (in the bullpen), youre waiting on Lind or Francisco. But I think it makes us stronger.” The bullpen has settled down since the return of Casey Janssen, whos converted all seven save opportunities since his return from a strained oblique muscle. Gibbons is most pleased with the progress hes seeing from the rotation. “It all revolves around starting pitching, you know,” said Gibbons. “If starting pitchings good, youve got a chance. If its not, its tough. I dont care what kind of offence youve got, what kind of defence youve got - thats the key to any team in baseball. Check the May ERA of the four rotation mainstays to see the improvement. Drew Hutchison (including Monday night): 5 starts, 3.94Mark Buehrle: 2.16R.A. Dickey: 2.73J.A. Happ: 3.20 RASMUS PROGRESSING On the disabled list since May 13 with tightness in his right hamstring, Colby Rasmus is sprinting his way toward a rehab assignment. “He was out there running and shagging during early BP,” said Gibbons. “Well see in the next few days what happens.” Rasmus sprinted the infield cutout on Saturday and the warning track on Sunday. While hes eligible to return from the disabled list on Wednesday, Rasmus will be sent out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment before rejoining the Blue Jays. SANTOS PLAYING CATCH Sergio Santos played catch for the third-straight day on Monday afternoon. Hes recovering from a strained right forearm. “He feels pretty good,” said Gibbons. “No soreness at all. So like Colby, we dont know how long its going to be for him. Hes got to build up a little bit, of course.” Santos can be activated off the disabled list at any time - hes been out since May 10 - but hell throw at least two bullpen sessions before heading out on a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Theres no timetable for Santoss return to the Blue Jays. Tyler Duffey Jersey . -- Ricky Romeros comeback bid hit another road bump Tuesday in an ugly 18-4 Jays loss to a Detroit Tigers split squad. Jack Morris Twins Jersey . Louis Cardinals continued their offensive tear with a 9-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a four-game series. https://www.cheaptwins.com/1532t-tom-brunansky-jersey-twins.html . - Tiger Woods only made it through 10 holes Thursday — this time because of the weather, not his back. Trevor May Twins Jersey .Leicester won 25-21 in a heated European Rugby Champions Cup group match on Sunday.Toulon said on its website on Wednesday that it decided to open an investigation after Leicester complained about the behaviour of prop Martin Castrogiovanni and fullback Delon Armitage. Tom Kelly Twins Jersey . Johnny Manziel, college footballs most entertaining player with the reputation for pulling off magical plays, was selected with the No.The Wayward TalentClassic example: Randy MossThis years candidate: Colt LyerlaThe Wayward Talent tantalizes and terrifies NFL scouts all at once. They salivate over what he can do on the field, but they have concerns over whats happened off the field. In the 1998 draft, teams were so terrified of Randy Moss criminal record that they would forgo drafting a 66" receiver who could run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash. Moss fell to the Vikings, and the rest his history. Tight end Colt Lyerla may not be quite as talented, but he possesses some very impressive measurable and is alarmingly athletic [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOMDbl58wJ0]. At 64" and 242lbs, Lyerla ran a 4.61 40-yard dash—which is elite for a tight end that size. Prediction: 4th round. Unfortunately for Lyerla, his arrest for cocaine possession is going to affect his draft day stock. But his talent will likely make him an NFL fixture for quite some time as long as he cleans up his act. The Super-Skilled "Slacker" Classic example: Calvin JohnsonThis years candidate: Jadeveon ClowneyThe prospect with the surplus of skill typically has an off-the-charts 40-yard dash (in this case, 4.53), and sets a record of some sort (South Carolina University record for 13 sacks). In some cases, this potential draftee comes with supposed "work ethic issues" (perhaps lacking competition all your life inevitably leads to some slacking). Such is the case with Jadeveon Clowney. Despite his mind-blowing measurables, many prognosticators are calling for him to fall in the draft.Prediction: Goes 5th overall after a team close to the playoffs trades up to take him. His rumoured lack of work ethic will be mitiggated by the fact that hes a defensive end—a position that requires the exact combo of height, speed, and power that Clowney possesses.dddddddddddd. The System Quarterback Classic example: Tim CouchThis years candidate: AJ McCarrronIn college, the System Quarterback evolves into the product of a scheme put in place by the coaching staff. Legendary flameout Tim Couch couldnt hack it in the NFL because his one-read Air Raid offense at Kentucky didnt prepare him for the complicated offenses of the NFL. This year we have AJ McCarron, who won two national championships on the back of Nick Sabans iron-clad defense. Prediction: A 6th round selection, followed by a largely forgettable career as a backup QB. Every shot of McCarron toting a clipboard on the sideline will be accompanied by a shot of his fiancée Katherine Webb—followed of course by a breathless Brent Musberger. The Inspirational StoryClassic example: Michael OherThis years candidate: Marqise LeeThe Inspirational Story is based on an individuals unlikely path to NFL stardom. Like Michael Ohers story, as recounted in The Blind Side, Marqise Lee took the hard road to the NFL. Growing up, he spent time living on motel room floors, couches, and foster homes, narrowly avoiding gangs, and eventually begging his way into a prep school known for its athletics program.Now hes officially ready for the big time. Prediction: Late first round, to a playoff team like the New Orleans Saints, where Lee will take his inspirational story to the next level. Tune in for the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft today (Thursday, May 8) at 8 p.m. ET on TSN2 & TSN GO. Follow along with every pick on TSN.ca. ' ' '