How Connor Bedard is forcing a trade deadline buyer’s market

How Connor Bedard is forcing a trade deadline buyer’s market

The day after Auston Matthews hit the 500 point mark, I can’t help but reflect on one of the key events that led to the Leafs drafting him. That event was the Phil Kessel trade.
The Kessel trade was largely panned considering the return was Kasperi Kapanen, 1st and 3rd round picks, Scott Harrington, and Nick Spaling. They also had to give up a 2nd, Tim Erixon and Tyler Biggs in the process. This trade was never as bad as it was criticized for being as Spaling, Harrington, Biggs, and Erixon largely cancel each other out, and the 2nd for 3rd is pretty insignificant as well, but Kapanen and a 1st for Kessel was not the ideal return for the franchise player of the moment.
What made up the gap for the Leafs was the benefit of not having Phil Kessel in their lineup. No matter what your opinion is of Phil Kessel, you have to concede that the 2015-16 Leafs had a better chance of picking up a few more wins with him in the Leafs lineup than they did without him. Moving the Leafs up in the standings at all would have taken away Toronto’s shot at Matthews. No Matthews means that Toronto wou …

Read More

Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Stock up, Stock down after first 4 Raptors’ preseason games

Stock up, Stock down after first 4 Raptors’ preseason games

The Toronto Raptors can’t exactly claim to have had the most effective preseason in the world, but they have had some moments to look back on fondly. At 2-2, the path to this mark has been full of dominant wins and some concerning defeats. Things started great, with two straight wins against a rebuilding Jazz […]
Stock up, Stock down after first 4 Raptors’ preseason games – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

BJN Radio – Ep. 94: Winless in Seattle

The All-Star break can’t come soon enough.

The Blue Jays rolled into Seattle after a disappointing series in Oakland and things got even worse, as the Mariners pulled off a four-game sweep. Toronto is now tied with Seattle for the final Wild Card spot in the American League while the Baltimore Orioles are suddenly right on the heels thanks to an eight-game winning streak.
We talked about the mess that was the Seattle series, how the Blue Jays can pull themselves out of this funk, and whether or not firing Charlie Montoyo is the solution.
You can listen to the episode here…
POINTSBET IS LIVE IN ONTARIO

Read More

Author: Cam Lewis / Blue Jays Nation

3 takeaways after Raptors destroy 76ers in Summer League

3 takeaways after Raptors destroy 76ers in Summer League

Toronto Raptors fans can’t really ask for much more out of a Summer League debut. Not only did fans get to see young studs like Armoni Brooks and Christian Koloko put on solid performances against the rival Philadelphia 76ers, but they did so in what became a 97-77 victory. While it was far from a […]
3 takeaways after Raptors destroy 76ers in Summer League – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Read More

Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Toronto Blue Jays walk eight in 5-3 loss to Oakland Athletics

Yusei Kikuchi just can’t find his command.

He’s struggled all year walking batters left right and center in games, and last Thursday, it appeared he got things back under control.
Oh, what fools we all are.
The Jays needed a big start from the lefty on Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s having dropped a 5-1 stinker before. Instead, they got 2.1 IP where Kikuchi gave seven of the 14 batters he faced a free pass to first plate.
Five walks, two batters hit by pitches, and four earned runs allowed on two hits.

“It’s tough to play behind a guy who isn’t throwing strikes.” – #Bluejays manager Charlie Montoyo.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) July 6, 2022

While Trent Thornton was able to come into the came and right the ship with a solid 2.1 IP allowing just one hit and an earned run while walking one, the damage had been done. Toronto just couldn’t recover and by the end of the night, they tied a season-high walking eight batters by the end of the night.
As tough as the pitching was to watch, the offence was equally as frustrating as we had to watch the Jays outhit the A’s 10-4, but still lose by two runs. While Matt Chapman blew the doors off going 3 for 4 with a two run, 424-foot blast and Teoscar Hernandez smashed a solo home run, the Jays just couldn’t get it going.
In the top of the six, the Jays had a chance to get themselves back into the game. Alejandro Kirk stood at second with Hernandez at first when Chapman hit a deep single into left-center field. Jays 3B coach Luis Rivera inexplica …

Read More

Author: Zach Laing / Blue Jays Nation