BALTIMORE – John Schneider has been on long road trips before, as a player, minor league manager and member of Charlie Montoyo’s staff.
But after this 10-day ramble of eight games — and Wednesday’s rain postponement — in three American League cities with no days off, the new Blue Jays’ manager is looking forward to the CN Tower coming into view.
”It feels like 15 days,” Schneider chuckled before Wednesday’s game against the Orioles was rained out. “Three cities (Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Baltimore) is tough and three good teams. All fighting for a playoff spot.
“We’re looking to get back to start a good homestand (versus Cleveland and Baltimore after a day off Thursday).”
The Jays ended the trip with a record of 3-5. An hour and 10 minutes after Wednesday’s scheduled start at Camden Yards, the late afternoon rain had not abated. That was on top of a 78-minute rain-lightning delay Tuesday in an eventual 6-5 Orioles’ win.
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Wednesday’s game will be made up in a Sept. 5 doubleheader back here. There are still 13 Toronto-Baltimore matches to be played in the final 52 games.
JOSE CAN YOU SEE HOME?
One Jay who won’t mind moving his start to Friday at Rogers Centre instead of here was scheduled starter Jose Berrios. He has wildly differing results home and road, as in just two victories south of the border, none since June 10 at Kansas City. All four of his losses and five no decisions have also stacked up against six home wins.
In his Toronto comfort zone, the right hander has 13 consecutive victories, passing the late Roy Halladay’s club record, set when Berrios beat the Tigers July 31.
Schneider says it’s all “a bit perplexing.”
“Routine is obviously a little different on the road. But I think that’s kind of been his season, a little bit up and down, whether it’s home or road. He’s better at home, but I have no real explanation for it. His (overall) track record is good anywhere.”
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BO NOT BURNED
While many civilians were looking for shade the past few days around Camden Yards, Bo Bichette was an eager sun worshipper.
“Just like home,” the Orlando, Fla. native said to a teammate headed to the pre-game comfort of the dressing room AC.
The young shortstop elaborated on how he beats the heat.
“It’s second nature to me now, I love getting out here and sweating. After the game, it can drain you a little bit more, but it’s fine.”
Southern cities such as MLB’s two Texas franchises and Kansas City are often the toastiest towns, especially in the dog days of August, though Globe Life Field in Arlington now has a retractable roof.
Temperatures reached the high 80s here Monday when this three-game set with the Orioles began and hit 93 at first pitch Tuesday.
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“I’d say this is one of the hottest places it gets,” Bichette said before Wednesday’s cancellation. “You stay hydrated. That’s just baseball, it’s all about focus.”
It should be noted Bichette blasted two home runs a few hours after his comments.
His father, Major Leaguer Dante Bichette, was born in West Palm Beach. Fla., and gave Bo tips to deal with the sun, but Bo’s mother Mariana was most influential.
“She’s kind of a health nut and taught me how to deal with that kind of stuff. I like to get a tan, but maybe I should be using sunscreen more.”
Bichette did invest in some winter clothes for the Jays’ fan fest caravans to different parts of Canada, though the tours have unfortunately been COVID-19 casualties of late.
HOMER ON THE RANGE
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Schneider managed Bichette in double-A ball and is pleased he’s channeled his attack mode into a mighty swing of late. The two shots Tuesday gives him 17 this year, including eight go-ahead homers and, unlike Berrios’s luck, the last nine have come on the road.
“He’s using that (opposite) right-centre part of the field, for one thing,” Schneider noted. “We all know he’s aggressive and it’s how he can hone that it in to swing at the right pitch. I’ve told Bo a million times that if you are swinging at balls in the strike zone you’ll fair better than most. He’s taking a good swing at the right pitch right now.”
Bichette was chasing too many low deliveries before.
“It’s been a grind for him this year, he’s been open about that. If he can stay on that side of the field with authority, he’s in good shape.”
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BIRD SEED
Schneider was in a bit more informed about what happened Tuesday night when the grounds crew suddenly appeared to cover the diamond after he’d already committed reliever Zach Pop into the game. The Jays had just rallied on Bichette’s three-run blast. But with the long delay, Pop could not come back to even throw one pitch. Though it didn’t rain for several minutes after the cover was put on, high winds were forecast and both workers and umpires didn’t want people trying to tame the tarp during gusts, while the infield would be getting soaked. “Just unfortunate timing,” Schneider said for Pop … Pitcher Ross Stripling will try to work through his glute strain injury Friday in a rehab start in Buffalo … Reliever Tim Mayza (dislocated shoulder) has begun light catching, but is a few weeks away from returning.