The Jays start a three-game series in Cleveland tonight. A series win would help out a lot.
Starting pitchers:
Tonight: 6:40 Eastern start time. Spencer Miles (2.92 ERA) opening, with Spencer Arrighetti (7.36 ERA in 7.1 innings with the Jays, 4.60 ERA in 17 games with the Astros) being the bulk man.
Wednesday: 6:40 start time. Dylan Cease (9-5, 2.33) vs. Joey Cantillo (9-7, 3.70).
Thursday: 1:00 Eastern start. José Soriano (11-7, 3.45) vs. Someone, likely Tanner Bibee (5-14, 3.88). They have TBD listed,
but he’s the likely choice.
The Jays are 1.5 back of the Guardians for the final Wild Card spot. They would also have to pass the Orioles (who are one game ahead of the Jays) and get ahead of the Rangers (with whom they are tied). The Twins are a couple of games back of the Jays, but a win streak could put them back in the race.
A series win would put them just half a game back. A series loss would put them 2.5 games back, which wouldn’t be insurmountable. A sweep would put them 1.5 games ahead of the Guardians.
The Guardians are 8-2 in their last 10 games. They had a 7-game win streak until losing 2 of 3 to the Royals.
The Guardians have a pretty terrific back end of the bullpen:
- Cade Smith has 35 saves and a 2.36 ERA in 58 games. Batters are hitting .203/.276/.315 against him. In his last ten games he has a 1.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 9.2 innings.
- Matt Festa has a 3.61 ERA, 7 holds, he hasn’t given up a run in 9 games,
- Colin Holderman has a 2.75 ERA, 11 holds. He had a rough time in his last appearance giving up four runs.
- Tim Herrin has a 3.14 ERA. He’s a lefty. He has 15 holds, and hasn’t given up a run in his last seven appearances.
- Hunter Gaddis has a 3.11 ERA, 27 holds. Batters are hitting .235/.312/.341 against him.
- Erik Sabrowski has a 3.66 ERA, 23 holds. He didn’t give up a run in August. He’s from Edmonton.
And they have some bats:
- Steven Kwan leads off and has been great this past month: .347/.450/.406.
- Rookie outfielder, Chase DeLauter, had a great August too: .363/.440/.538.
- Jose Ramirez didn’t have a great August, hitting .272/.354/.383 with just 1 home run.
- SS Brayan Rocchio hit just .181/.233/241 in August.
On the Jays side, having a hot August were:
- George Springer: .321/.370/.488 with 2 home runs.
- Alejandro Kirk: .341/.412/.534 with 5 home runs.
- Brett Batemen: .333/.384/.410.
On the less than hot side:
- Ernie Clement: .208/.228/.260 with 1 home run.
- Vlad: .221/.259/.299 with 1 home run.
- Nathan Lukes: .225/.263/.393 with 5 home runs.
