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One stat shows difference in Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels

By David Hill

Jul 22, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Raimel Tapia (15) is congratulated by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (13) after hitting an inside the park grand slam during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Raimel Tapia (15) is congratulated by left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (13) after hitting an inside the park grand slam during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels both entered the season with high expectations. Both teams were expected to be in the playoff hunt, with the Blue Jays particularly considered a potential World Series caliber team. The postseason was calling, and both teams were expected to answer.

Instead, both teams had been a disappointment, firing their managers in an attempt to jumpstart the season. The Blue Jays, at least, still hold a playoff berth; the Angels have managed to waste another year of Mike Trout’s prime and another year of Shohei Ohtani being a unicorn.

Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels heading in different directions

The difference between the two teams was notable on Friday. Ohtani managed to look mortal on the mound, allowing six runs on six hits and a walk over his 6.1 innings despite striking out 11 batters. As the Angels’ offense has been non-existent this month, scoring all of 37 runs in July, it led to an 8-1 loss.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have not had any such issues in the lineup. That was evident on Friday as well, as they annihilated the Red Sox 28-5. The 28 runs that the Blue Jays scored in nine innings were just nine shy of the Angels’ total for the month.

It speaks volumes to the differences between the teams. The Angels have one of the best players of his era in Trout and the type of player that has not been seen for generations in Ohtani. And they still cannot find any semblance of offense despite having two of the game’s biggest stars.

Yes, the Blue Jays have struggled. Winning teams do not fire their manager unless there are problems. But they are far more likely to reach the postseason, both this year and going forward, than the Angels are. Days like Friday show why that is the case.

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The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels are heading in two different directions. Their showings on Friday were just a microcosm of 2022.

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