Photo credit: Victoria News
John Schneider reveals what Blue Jays need to improve on
John Schneider got to watch his team come through with an 8-2 win on Thursday. This win came against the Tampa Bay Rays in an Opening Day game that had fans extremely excited.
Over the last two years, there have been specific areas where the Blue Jays struggled. As Schneider has described at length, 2022 was a rough year for offense. However, in 2023, it was the team's pitching that struggled. Heading into this season, the team is trying to be as well-rounded as possible. After all, the American League is stacked, and being a complete team is the only way they can compete.While talking to reporters after yesterday's game, Schneider made it clear that he believes this is the most complete Blue Jays roster he has managed thus far. He even made sure to single out the players whom he believes are making massive improvements. Needless to say, Schneider is motivating his guys during a pivotal moment in the season.
"We can pitch and we can catch the ball — you can say that pretty confidently. What I think this year's version will be is that and then, a pretty damn good offensive team when you're looking at the top of our lineup and then guys that are regularly playing, whether it's (Daulton) Varsho or Kirky, that are better than probably what they showed last year."
With an 8-2 win on Thursday, the Blue Jays will now be heading into the final three games of their series against the Rays, with all of the momentum. That said, only time will tell whether or not they can win at least three out of four games.
"The 2024 Blue Jays began the process of carving out a new identity as what manager John Schneider described as «a pretty complete team» Thursday evening, pounding the Tampa Bay Rays in an 8-2 victory on Opening Day."
As for what the team can improve on, Schneider was honest about where his team's shortcomings lie. For now, baserunning and situational awareness seem to be the biggest things to watch out for.
"There are obviously things we need to get better at, whether it's baserunning or situational things. But we don't want it to be, OK, two years ago it was offence and then last year it was pitching, and now we're going to go back to offence. It's got to happen together. We were searching for that the entirety of last year. But I think it's a pretty complete team right now."
Today's game between the Blue Jays and the Rays will start at 6:50 PM Eastern Standard Time. Fans in Canada will be able to catch the game over on Sportsnet.
Source: Blue Jays' Opening Day performance provides blueprint for rest of season
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