TORONTO -- When we talk about consistency, we’re typically talking about the offense.
Yes, the Blue Jays’ 13-0 loss to complete an ugly sweep in Tampa over the weekend was a mess in just about every way, but it didn’t matter if there was a ‘13’ or a ‘100’ in the Rays’ run column. When you score just two runs in three games, nothing good is going to happen.
What frustrated manager John Schneider most were the “careless mistakes," those unforced errors that the Blue Jays simply didn’t need to make. That’s why Anthony Santander's at-bat to end the game carried a little weight, even if all it accomplished was keeping people in the sun for an extra two minutes. Santander struck out, but he saw 11 pitches and fouled off six of them. The bar may be so low that it’s buried underground, but at least that was better than Toronto’s four-pitch inning earlier in the game, which sent Chris Bassitt right back into the scorching sun.
“That’s just him. He’s competing,” Schneider said. “Again, this is not about effort. It’s just about staying mentally locked in and navigating the ups and downs of what every single game is going to present to you. I think that’s where the inconsistencies come from.”
The Blue Jays’ 2-1 win over the Rangers on Monday afternoon was more about Kevin Gausman’s eight innings of dominance, not an offensive outburst, but they took a step back in this direction. For the first time in Jacob deGrom’s great career, he didn’t even record a strikeout.
Santander, perhaps more than any other player on this roster, can bring consistency to this lineup. We know the Blue Jays are capable of winning -- even winning big -- so consistency is how this season will be measured.
One step towards inconsistency? A No. 3 hitter -- or No. 5, where Santander was in Monday's lineup against the Rangers -- with an OPS of .594 after an 0-for-4 game. We know that Santander is a notoriously slow starter, but we’re on June’s doorstep now. There’s not much time left for patience.
Injuries have been part of Santander’s story. He banged up his shoulder in Anaheim earlier this month when he dove into the stands for a foul ball, and soon after returning, his left hip flared up. There have been points where the switch-hitting Santander hasn’t been able to swing from the right side, and he’s openly said that he’s playing below 100% without a drop of hesitation in his voice.
“Unfortunately, I got hurt when I disconnected from my hips,” Santander said. “I pivoted and hyperextended. The positive is that this is going to help me to stay more quiet and try to not hurt myself.”
This is a point Santander kept coming back to. While he said he’s more worried than frustrated -- understanding that injuries are a part of the game he plays -- he’s stretching to find the positive in this, which isn’t surprising given the personality that has made him beloved across the league. It does sound like this runs counter to Santander’s strengths, though.
“I always swing hard,” Santander said, cracking a smile. "When I’m struggling and swing hard, I don’t make good contact, so this is going to help me be more calm, be more straight to the ball and put the ball in play.”
While this is a positive from the negative, Santander has always been at his best when he’s hitting for power. In arguably his best season last year, Santander hit just .235 with a .308 on-base percentage, but more than balanced that out by launching 44 home runs. Big swings, even if they leave some empty at-bats in between, are part of what’s made Santander a great hitter.
One positive, without argument, is that Santander feels his approach is getting back to where it needs to be, which is crucial for a “rhythm” hitter, like Santander always describes himself.
“When you’re struggling a little bit, you chase too much,” Santander said. “I’ve been chasing a lot, so I’ve just tried to slow it down and square myself. I know they’re just going to throw me pitches on the edges of the zone. I’ve been able to be more relaxed my last few at-bats. I’m able to be on time and see the ball much better.”
We know that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s big days will come. The supporting cast will have their moments, too, but a reliable heart of the order is the key to consistency here, making Santander more important than even when the season began.