What a year for the Blue Jays. Inches away from a World Series, sign the biggest free agent pitcher on the market and he’s an ace. Have perhaps the best first baseman in the American League but he forgets how to hit.
Now as the trade deadline nears the thing the Red Sox feared would happen to them, is happening to Toronto: too many games back, too many teams to pass, not enough time.
Over the last 30 games the Jays have gone 12-18 while the Sox posted a 23-7 record. That’s not all Angels and Mets.
Toronto will be another test. The Jays swept Boston in Fenway for three games in June. And they won 2 of 3 in Canada. But the tables have turned. Caleb Durbin has more homers than Vlad. The Sox, not the Jays, sit in third place in the division.
Trey Yesavage shut down Boston in April for 5.1 innings while not allowing a run. In June it was 7.1 innings and 3 runs. That start against the Sox was his longest of the year. He’d shut down the Astros and Mets while allowing Seattle’s weaker offense to score 3 runs. The Padres, who are a mess, knocked him out in the second inning. Patrick Sandoval will make his third start for the Red Sox. He’s totaled 9.1 innings with 6 runs (5 earned), 10 Ks, and 2 walks across the first two.
One of the best pitching matchups this weekend will be in Boston. Dylan Cease was the Jays big addition and he’s been worth every penny. His first start against the Sox this season was rough – 5.2 innings, 4 runs – while his second – 5.0 innings, 0 runs – was stronger. He was ambushed by the Rays for 5 runs last time out tough so maybe there’s a playbook to follow. He also has six games with double digit strikeouts. Sonny Gray wasn’t an All-Star but might pick up some Cy Young votes. He hasn’t’ allowed more than 1 run in any start in more than a month. He’s the number 2 except that Garret Crochet has been irrelevant this year so he’s actually the ace of the staff. After briefly considering trading Gray, it’s not impossible to imagine the Sox without him.
Kevin Gausman used to fill the role now occupied by Cease. He’s fallen on some hard times as of late. Over his last five starts he’s allowed 6, 1, 7 (4 earned), 3, and 5 (4 earned) runs. His last start against the Rays was just 3.1 innings. The Red Sox don’t have anyone listed but hope that Ranger Suarez is ready to return from the IL. Soreness and illness kept hims from facing the Orioles even if his major injury was over.
Vlad Jr. has 6 home runs. At the end of July.
All-Star top vote getter Ernie Clement is slashing .297/.321/.425
Myles Straw has a .592 OPS despite looking like Babe Ruth when he faces Boston.
Where would the Jays be without Kazuma Okamoto? He’s leading the team with 22 homers.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday, July 24: Trey Yesavage (3.78 ERA / 4.06 FIP) vs. Patrick Sandoval (4.82 ERA / 3.00 FIP)
Saturday, July 25: Dylan Cease (2.67 ERA / 2.39 FIP) vs. Sonny Gray (2.48 ERA / 3.66 FIP)
Sunday, July 26: Kevin Gausman (4.51 ERA / 3.68 FIP) vs. TBD (— ERA / — FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Friday, July 24: 7:15 PM ET on Apple TV
Saturday, July 25: 4:10 PM ET on NESN
Sunday, July 26: 1:35 PM ET on NESN
