The Toronto Blue Jays tried to shake things up after suffering two straight losses to end their series against the Milwaukee Brewers this week.
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On Friday, Blue Jays manager John Schneider turned to relief pitcher Braydon Fisher to get the start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Fisher pitched through the first inning, giving up one hit and no earned runs.
Starting pitcher Eric Lauer replaced Fisher in the second inning. He gave up five hits and three earned runs in five innings pitched. Lauer was the losing pitcher in a 6-3 defeat to the Diamondbacks in front of 32,747 fans at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Lauer didn’t like coming into the ballgame in the second inning, believing it’s much different to come out of the bullpen to pitch after the Blue Jays used Fisher as an opener. He suggested it messes with his pre-game routine because it changes up his usual habits as a starter.
“To be real blunt, I hate it. I can’t stand it,” Lauer said, via Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. “Hopefully it’s not something that we will continue doing, but that’s above my pay grade.”
Per The Athletic, Schneider defended his decision to use an opener, saying it was a “pretty traditional opener.”
One can’t blame Schneider for trying something different as the Blue Jays have struggled out of the gate this spring. Toronto ranks No. 24 in pitching ERA (4.44) this season.
With the Blue Jays rotation giving up too many runs, the defending American League champs have fallen to 7-12. Toronto is at the bottom of the AL East and trails the Tampa Bay Rays by four games for first place in the division.
With that being said, Schneider and the Blue Jays might want to consider consulting Lauer and the rest of the rotation before throwing off their routine. The results on Friday weren’t good for a team now on a three-game losing streak before playing Game 2 against Arizona on Saturday.
For more on the Blue Jays and the MLB head to Newsweek Sports.
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