Letting catchers do the thinking, Cecil thriving

TORONTO — Brett Cecil stopped shaking and started dealing.

For much of the past three years, the Blue Jays’ reliever has essentially called his own game. He often shook off the catcher’s signs until he got the one he wanted.

Nobody complained. Cecil evolved into one of the top left-handed relievers in the game, posting a 2.67 ERA in 189 outings from 2013-15.

This year, things changed. His trademark curveball flattened out. By July 20, his ERA was 6.75. And shortly thereafter, pitching coach Pete Walker issued new marching orders.

“Pete suggested that I take all the thinking out of the pitching and let the catchers handle that, and just execute the pitch they call to the best of my ability,” Cecil said. “Don’t shake off. Don’t worry about setting guys up or anything like that. So far, it’s been working.”

Entering Monday’s action, Cecil had held opponents scoreless in 13 consecutive outings.

His ERA over his past 25 games was 1.53. In that stretch of 17 …

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