The Toronto Blue Jays are in an 0-2 hole in the American League Championship Series, mostly because the Cleveland Indians are outplaying them.
But Jose Bautista believes there are greater forces at work.
The Blue Jays have struggled mightily at the plate in Games 1 and 2, scoring a total of one run on just 10 hits combined. Bautista hasn’t helped their cause, going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. Yet in explaining why his team can’t get the bats going, the Toronto outfielder took a different route, insinuating that things haven’t been on the up-and-up.
Bautista kept his answer vague, mysteriously referring to the “circumstances” the Blue Jays have had to “deal with as hitters.” But it’s pretty obvious he’s talking about the umpires, as he and his teammates have been visibly upset with ball and strike calls on several occasions in this series.
Bautista’s excuse is a pretty lame one, as Cleveland’s pitchers — led by starters Corey Kluber and Josh Tomlin and ace reliever Andrew Miller — have been excellent in this series. And the Indians’ Twitter account didn’t let Bautista off the hook.
Cleveland’s intrepid account didn’t stop there, making a reference to the rumor that the team stole the Boston Red Sox’s signs during the American League Division Series.
Twitter battles and conspiracy theories aside, Bautista and the Blue Jays must quickly overcome these “circumstances,” as Game 3 is set for Monday night in Toronto.
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
