Cherry unhappy with how Blue Jays’ AL Division Series is playing out

TORONTO – Don Cherry thinks Major League Baseball may have an agenda against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The popular hockey commentator isn’t pleased with how the American League Division Series has played out so far — Toronto is down 2-0 to the Texas Rangers in the best-of-five set — and he noted a few reasons why on his Coach’s Corner segment Saturday night.

“I think they’re getting stiffed. Nobody will say it,” Cherry said before specifically pointing out the fact that Roger Centre’s retractable roof remained closed for Game 1 despite fair Toronto weather and making note of home plate umpire Vic Carapazza’s controversial strike zone during Game 2.

Cherry also had an issue with a replay review that was upheld in the 14th inning of Game 2 that eventually led to Texas’ winning run in a 6-4 Blue Jays loss.

Replays showed that Toronto shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had applied a tag to Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor as Odor slid back in to second base. But Odor’s foot appeared to bounce off the bag as Tulowitzki tried to get his glove down. Whether or not Odor got his foot back on the bag fast enough or if Tulowitzki tagged him in time was debatable.

Cherry didn’t think so, however.

“The guy off second base, he’s off that far,” Cherry said, motioning a couple inches with his fingers. “They go and look at it and they say it’s all right.

“We’re getting stiffed. You know why we’re getting stiffed? Because they do not want a Canadian team in the final. That’s my opinion.”

The Blue Jays, in the post-season for the first time since 1993 when they beat the Philadelphia Phillies to complete back-to-back World Series championships, are facing elimination in the ALDS with Game 3 to be played in Texas on Sunday night.

Cherry doesn’t think a comeback is likely.

“They’ll win one or two games. I can’t see them winning three,” he said.