Blue Jays fans question analytics after loss to Minnesota Twins

It’s a feeling Blue Jays fans are getting all too familiar with, disappointment. But after Thursday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins, fans and pundits alike are questioning the team’s reliance on analytics.

Jose Berrios was dealing, only allowing three hits through three innings, striking out five Twins in the process. But after walking a batter in the fourth, Berrios, who is in the middle of a seven year $130 million contract was pulled from the game.

Scott Bullett, who now runs the Bullett Proof Baseball academy in Niagara, played four seasons in the majors in the 90s, but during his playing days, analytics weren’t a big part of the game. He believes that back then, baseball was simpler, with coaches relying on traditional strategies. Bullett says relying heavily on analytics cost Blue Jays the game.

Taylor McKee teaches at Brock University, in the Sports Management department. He says there’s a place for analytics in baseball, but at some point you have to trust the players.

Mike Wilner, who has been covering the Blue Jays for decades, wasn’t shocked by the pitching change. He believes that the decision was driven by statistics and strategy rather than the game’s momentum. He says the pitcher was having a phenomenal game and should have kept going for longer.

Although the decision was disappointing, Wilner doesn’t think it cost the Blue Jays the game or the series. He points out that the team didn’t score any runs, and even if Berrios had stayed in and pitched four more scoreless innings, they would still have needed to score a run to win.

Like last year, Jays fans are left debating what went wrong in a two game sweep.

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