FIDDLER’S FACTS: Lack of hitting, dizzy line-ups has Blue Jays in a funk

There have been some early first-round surprises in NHL playoffsPublished Apr 26, 2025  •  Last updated 28 minutes ago  •  4 minute readFred MacDonald – ContributedToronto Blue Jays’ fans are wondering if their club has enough lumber to stay in the American League East contention.After being swept in three straight games by Houston with only a combined eight hits, the jury is out. I have never been a fan of the Blue Jays’ management – The Three Stooges, and they’ve done nothing to change my mind.In a loss to Houston on April 22, manager John Schneider should have had Addison Barger and Anthony Santander in the line-up as each is a better fit versus Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco than against Houston power pitcher Hunter Brown, who blew Toronto hitters away the previous night.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 contentI’d put Barger in right field and leave him there for 20 or so games – give him a chance! I’d bat Alejandro Kirk eighth for the rest of the year when he plays. Right now, Kirk’s double-play bait and an easy out.I keep hearing Daulton Varsho is set for centre field and that is not a smart move. Leave George Springer in centre, and play Versho in left only – he has no arm, and runners will take the extra base if he’s in middle outfield. Santander has looked awful at the plate and with an obvious huge hole in his swing (gas in and a little up), I’d be surprised if he hits 25 home runs.Second baseman Andres Gimenez has played airtight defence, but he’s another that may have trouble hitting his weight – .189 heading into the weekend. He is carrying a huge contract Cleveland dumped on Toronto, so he’d better start hitting.Article contentToronto has solid pitching starters and bullpen, so I think a trade for some offence is necessary. Varsho has some pop in his bat, capable of 20 to 25 home runs, but he strikes out a lot. He may have to be in the line-up anyway if the hitting woes continue.Local baseballIn local baseball, the Chatham Honda Ironmen signed a pro pitcher, Julio Hernandez, from the Mexican professional league.Hernandez, 28, a strikeout pitcher with four years of pro experience will likely make his 2025 New Brunswick Senior Baseball League debut against defending champion Charlottetown Islanders here at Memorial Field on May 17. More on the Islanders next week.NHLWe’re only into the first week of the Stanley Cup playoffs and already there are a number of first-round surprises especially Montreal’s strong showing – two close losses in Washington, and Toronto’s hard-fought two home wins over a gritty Ottawa club.Article contentA short-handed Dallas team showed heart in two overtime wins over Colorado, and another eye-opener saw Florida dumping Tampa Bay at home for a 1-0 series lead.The surprises also apply in the many hockey pools underway around the province. It’s early but Ray Murphy holds a two-point lead in the annual Alley Stanley Cup pool, but I doubt that lead will hold up.The Coach’s Restaurant pool also got underway April 19. Since brother Tex was unavailable, Trent Birt landed a hockey sharpie in Gord Dwyer’s son, Jack, as my partner but I don’t think he read last week’s Fiddler column.Jack did a lot of advance scouting for his dad and the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, and he was instrumental in landing P.E.I.’s Dawson Sharkey from the hockey scrap heap – a 22-goal scorer with a nasty streak.Article contentIt’s only early but Angus and John Birt are among the bottom dwellers, and they have company in Bim Ford, Alan Walker and Ron Carragher. Remember, it’s only one week, so don’t panic.Also in the puck world, how about a welcome home to ex-UPEI hockey and soccer standout Cole MacMillan and his wife, Miranda, from Australia.Harness racingIn racing up-country, Merigo Magic goes April 26 at Mohawk, where he meets some of the best four-year-olds in Canada in the first leg of the Graduate at $25,000. James MacDonald handles Funtime Bayama for trainer Andrew Harris while Louie Roy has Merigo Magic versus a tough group with Chain Gang, Ian Moore’s Storm Shadow and Century Komodo.Don MacRae’s Bee Two Bee and Blue Hunt are in to go April 26.Article contentSee where Montague-born Austin Sorrie continues to lead the nation in wins at 118 wins – 20 more than Travis Cullen, Travis Henry and James MacDonald.Just as we headed to press, we received word that the late Kent Oakes has been voted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The induction is slated for Aug. 6 in TorontoChantilly, the unbeaten two-year-old from last year, was out for a qualifier April 25 at Mohawk. She has been nominated for the North American Cup against the best sophomore pacers in North America.Qualifiers get underway at Red Shores Charlottetown on April 26 at 10 a.m. Red Shores Summerside’s qualifying sessions have been moved from April 27 to April 28 at 6 p.m., due to the forecasted heavy rain.Fred MacDonald’s column appears every Saturday in The Guardian. He can be reached at fiddlersfacts@hotmail.com.Article content