Jays Watch: Farrell rates Farrell
By KEN FIDLIN, QMI Agency
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  Blue Jays skip John Farrell says managing has given him a broader perspective on the game. (SCOTT HALLERAN/Getty Images/AFP)
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A month into his new job, John Farrell is more convinced than ever that he took the right path, leaving his post as pitching coach with the Red Sox, to become the Blue Jays manager.
“It’s been better than I thought,” said Farrell. “Moving away from being a pitching coach into this position gives me such a broader perspective and a greater appreciation of the game. I love it.
“It might give me an ulcer in the future but I love what the game is about and honestly I’ve learned more in the last 2 1/2 months than I would ever have learned remaining as a pitching coach.”
Farrell was asked to rate his first month in his new job.
“About 13 and 14,” said Farrell, parroting his team’s April record.
“(The players) clearly have played better than I’ve managed. We’ve dealt with a lot of different things as we’re all aware of but the way we’ve come out and played every day and been in all but a couple of games is a testament to how prepared these guys are.”
Pen is mightier
A month in, the Blue Jay bullpen has been the backbone of the pitching staff, picking up a starting staff that has yet to settle into its groove.
In 28 games, Jays relievers have worked 96 innings, or a little more than 3 1/3 innings per game, limiting opponents to a 2.71 ERA and a WHIP (walks plus hits/inning) of 1.028.
That ERA is almost two runs better than the starters, who have a combined ERA of 4.56. On this trip the pen has been particularly stingy. In the seven games the pen has worked 25 innings, allowing nine hits and just three runs, all on solo homers. The only damaging blow on the trip to this point was a homer by Texas’ Mitch Moreland off Octavio Dotel to break a 6-6 tie last Wednesday.
The Toronto pen is working on a streak of 9 1/3 hitless innings since Robinson Cano touched Shawn Camp for a homer in the eighth inning Friday.
