by | Oct 1, 2022 | FRONT STREET

George Springer crushed a three-run homer to pace the Blue Jays in their 9-0 win over the Red Sox on Friday night.

MLBbro George Springer Moves Up All-Time Lead Off Home Run List Against MVP Pitching

MLBbro George Springer Moves Up All-Time Lead Off Home Run List Against MVP Pitching

by | May 28, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

The Toronto Blue Jays have been under the radar this season based on the fact that all eyes have been on their division rivals, the New York Yankees and their hot hitting superstar Aaron Judge. Usually, teams sitting third at 24-20 are not considered the first choice for national broadcast features.

This week was a little bit different when the Blue Jays took on the Los Angeles Angels. The draw for the game was a head-to-head matchup with the top two vote getters for last year’s American League MVP award for the second time in their respective careers. The eventual winner, Shohei Ohtani was on the marquee for the Angels while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. represented the Blue Jays.

But it was MLBbro George Springer, that set the tone for this contest in the first inning and as he has so many times in the past, sparked his team to a much needed 6-3 victory to keep pace with the leaders in the American League East.

Springer’s respect for the reigning AL MVP is evident in his words via the Toronto Star.

“He’s an MVP for a reason,” Springer said of Ohtani, whose ERA jumped from 2.82 to 3.45 after the loss. “He’s always electric. His split is probably the best pitch in the game. He can plus and minus his fastball and he can do so many things. It’s always, I don’t want to say fun to face a guy like that, but it’s always a challenge.” 

That’s a humble quote for a player that made history with this home run. Springer matched Ian Kinsler for fourth place all-time for leadoff home runs in a career with 48. Only Craig Biggio, Alfonso Soriano and the all-time MLBbro icon, Rickey Henderson, rank above him. 

 

The Blue Jays need even more offensive production from Springer going forward. Toronto’s pitching has been solid this year, but the Blue Jays’ everyday lineup has lacked the consistency needed to compete against the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in the division.

This is an issue that Springer believes can be addressed. 

“It’s a process, it’s not all going to happen overnight,“ said Springer, who finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. “It’s going to take multiple games like this to feel right. I think you’re starting to see guys have really good-at-bats. You’re starting to see innings get strung together. We scored three in the third and those were just good at-bats and getting hits with runners in scoring position.”

Springers production at the leadoff spot is the best in the business. His combination of power and speed at the top of the Blue Jays lineup is a rare advantage for a team to have. The former World Series MVP’s impact has been particularly evident over the last couple of games dating back to last weekend. Against the Houston Astros, Springer deposited two homers into the seats, including a leadoff 376-foot shot to open the game.

 

 

With George Springer passing the career 200-home run mark this season, our MLBbro is still at a peak level to easily move up to the second spot all-time behind Henderson. After the Toronto bats slowed for the last month, it looks like George Springer has collaborated with Vladimir Guererro Jr. to sound the alarm for the offense at least for the last couple of games.