Sportsnet's Buck Martinez has brutally honest opinion on Blue Jays' Bowden Francis
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Toronto Blue Jays / Sportsnet broadcaster Buck Martinez says he will return to the booth at the end of June after taking scheduled time off. Gives his candid opinion on the Bowden Francis situation.
First things first: Martinez, who is taking some extended scheduled time off from his regular analyst's role on the Sportsnet broadcasts, will return for a home stand against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre starting on June 30.
In the interim, studio analysts Joe Siddall (who called the three weekend games in Minnesota) and Caleb Joseph (who tags in for the St. Louis stop) will take turns filling the air alongside play-by-play voice Dan Shulman.
«I'm taking some scheduled time off,» Martinez told the Toronto Sun on Monday. «But I'll be back for that homestand (against the Yankees). And then I'll have a good chunk of July off for my 50th anniversary. My schedule is to do 100 games.»
Buck Martinez certainly is clear in what he thinks about the Toronto rotation minus Max Scherzer and the alarming struggles of Bowden Francis.
Buck Martinez on Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: He can't make another start
«(The Jays) are playing pretty good, but they can't start Bowden Francis another start,» Martinez said. «It's the one thing that's causing them so many issues. The fourth and fifth spots (in the rotation) have been the issues all season long.
«Unfortunately (Max) Scherzer can't pitch right now. It's just the way it is. «I'd be surprised if they start (Francis) again. He's just too inconsistent. It just highlights how difficult it is to be a long-term starter in the major leagues. It's the toughest position in baseball, to be a consistent starter. «Now hitters have made adjustments and he has to establish that he can throw on both sides of the plate.»
Martinez believes that if the struggles of Francis, combined with the bullpen days for the fifth spot in the rotation continue, the rest of the bullpen will wear down.
«It's already cost them Yimi Garcia (who is on the injured list with a shoulder issue) and it's going to cost them someone else,» Martinez said.
The former catcher has been impressed with the Jays recent surge at the plate, which largely has been the reason they've gone on a 9-1 run and sit in a three-way tie for the top AL wild-card spot prior to Monday's action.
«Everything has come together offensively,» Martinez said. «They've cut down their strikeouts. They're more patient. And they're realizing one or two guys aren't going to carry the team. They're getting contributions from everywhere in the order.»
Martinez isn't alone from the Sportsnet crew in terms of sharp commentary on the struggles of Francis.
«Teams are sitting all over his stuff,» an animated studio analyst Caleb Joseph said following the Phillies game. «They're not fooled one bit. Let me tell you this: You'd better find a way to locate or you're going to keep having outings like this. You don't get a million chances in this league.»
On Sportsnet 590, Kevin Barker was equally incisive the following day.
«For me, it's an easy one,» Barker said on Sportsnet 590 of Francis, who has allowed an MLB-high 19 home runs.. «Either he can pitch or he can't. Right now it's borderline (that he isn't) a big leaguer.»
Do you agree with Buck Martinez, Caleb Joseph and Kevin Barker?
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JUIN 10 | 148 ANSWERS Sportsnet's Buck Martinez has brutally honest opinion on Blue Jays' Bowden Francis Do you agree with Buck Martinez, Caleb Joseph and Kevin Barker? | ||
| Yes | 138 | 93.2 % |
| No | 10 | 6.8 % |
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