Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. FileArticle contentThe shocking announcement talented Toronto all-star shortstop Bo Bichette will be on the sidelines for two weeks or so has thrown the American League East pennant race into a tizzy, and Blue Jays’ fans ought to be concerned.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentLet’s not kid ourselves, Bichette is as good – if not better – than any shortstop in major league baseball, and he’s still unsigned for next season. He’s the Jays’ best hitter, their best clutch producer and his defence is vastly underrated as he gets to a lot of balls most shortstops would not.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe Blue Jays can get by for a week or two, as was the case Sept. 9 when they stole a game from Houston without much offence, but without Bichette, the Jays will need superlative pitching, especially from Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer.Article contentBieber pitched 4.2 innings on Sept. 9 against light-hitting Houston and gave up nine hits. Many of the outs were rockets as the Astros played ping-pong with the centre-field fence and Daulton Varsho.Article contentAs of Sept. 12, the Jays held a three-game lead over the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, and both of those clubs are staggering down the stretch. The Detroit Tigers pounded New York in a crucial series in the Bronx, and the Red Sox lost a road series to last-place Oakland.Article contentDespite bone-head decisions, like preventing hot-hitter George Springer from coming to the plate, in a 4-3 loss earlier this week – the result of a caught-stealing manager fiasco – the Jays can’t help but win the AL East. It’s not the AL East – it’s the American League Least.Article contentArticle contentBaseball IslandersArticle contentThe Charlottetown Islanders are drawing big crowds to Memorial Field for the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League (NBSBL) playoffs, and their starting pitching has been impressive. Starters Jordan Stevenson, Brody McDonald, Jake Beck and Ben MacDougall all came up with splendid performances in a four-game semifinal series sweep against Fredericton.Article content Charlottetown Gaudet’s Auto Body Islanders pitcher Jake Beck delivers a pitch in a New Brunswick Senior Baseball League regular-season game at Memorial Field in Charlottetown earlier this season. Beck earned the win with a complete-game effort in the Islanders’ 3-2 come-from-behind playoff victory over the Fredericton Royals on Sept. 9. The Islanders lead the best-of-seven semifinal series 3-0. Photo by Jason Simmonds /Guardian fileArticle contentAnd how about two of my favourites – Duncan Picketts and Josh Myers?Article contentIt looks like a Chatham-Charlottetown final but stay tuned. Chatham took a 2-0 series lead over Saint John into Game 3 on Sept. 12.Article contentNFL picksArticle contentThe Prophet’s NFL Week 2 picks:Article contentNew York Giants at Dallas: At home, it will be an easy Cowboys’ win over the sad-sack Giants.Chicago at Detroit: The Lions lost at Green Bay 27-13 but don’t let the score fool you. Detroit had the ball for 35 minutes. Most clubs win with that time of possession. Take the Lions by a TD.Seattle at Pittsburgh: The Steelers squeezed past the Jets in New York 34-32 in a game they deserved to lose. The Jets had the ball for 35 minutes. The Steelers’ D was iffy, and they had no run game, but QB Aaron Rodgers was and will be the difference.New England at Miami: The Fish is usually great early and at home, but that brutal performance last week raises many questions. How about a Patriots’ upset?
FIDDLERS FACTS: Blue Jays should win AL East
