Blue Jays Missing the Good Fortune That Powered Their ALCS Teams

After Marcus Stroman left Wednesday night’s Blue Jays game in New York, but before he assured reporters that he’d be making his next start, it seemed for a brief time that the number three pitcher in the club’s rotation was Mat Latos.

Mat Latos!

Mat fucking Latos!

Now rather unceremoniously (though not incorrectly) designated for assignment, Latos was a free agent signed to a minor league deal on the eve of spring training, paying him just a $1.5 million salary in the majors. After three starts he sported a 6.60 ERA. He struck out 10, walked eight, and allowed 19 hits (including five home runs) through 15 innings. PITCHf/x data clearinghouse Brooks Baseball tells us “his fourseam fastball is straight as an arrow,” and that “his sinker is basically never swung at and missed compared to other pitchers’ sinkers, has surprisingly little armside run, results in somewhat more fly balls compared to other pitchers’ sinkers and has virtually no sinking action reminiscent of a true sinker.”

Brooks is kinder to his cutter, but the point remains. This was a grim situation. Latos as this club’s fourth starter would be a grim situation! And now they’ve decided to look beyond Mat Latos for answers.

How in the everloving fuck did the Blue Jays end up here?