Game #12 Toronto Blue Jays (6-5) @ Boston Red Sox (6-5)

 

Game #11 - Toronto Blue Jays (6-5) @ Boston Red Sox (6-5) - game recap

 

George Springer drove in 3 runs and scored another in a 6-2 win over the Red Sox

After a rough, humbling series in NY against the Mets, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 3-game skid as they continued the road trip in Boston. Vlad and the team took care of a huge distraction, inking a 14-year deal that will keep Vlad in a Blue Jays uniform for the better part of the remainder of his career for a mere $500 million. The next big priority has to be inking Bo Bichette, who is slated to become a free agent at the end of the season. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Alan Roden was in LF, Nathan Lukes was in CF and George Springer was in RF. Anthony Santander served as DH. Will Wagner was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 3rd on a sac fly by Andres Gimenez that scored Bo Bichette
• A batter later, George Springer singled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Rafael Devers that scored Ceddanne Rafaela
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Springer singled scoring Gimenez
• Richard Fitts pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 4BB 4K 102 pitches (67 for strikes)
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 7th as Springer singled scoring Gimenez
• Two batters later, Will Wagner singled home Springer
• Jose Berrios pitching line: 7IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 2K 88 pitches (55 for strikes)
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Triston Casas singled scoring Rafaela
• The Blue jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Nathan Lukes singled scoring Anthony Santander. Wagner was thrown out at third on the play for the 3rd out and it was ruled he was tagged ouylt before Springer crossed the plate, thus erasing a second insurance run
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Red So 2

My Take:

• Jose Berrios threw 7 strong innings, giving up a run on 3 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2. After giving up a leadoff double to start the game, Berrios retired the next 6 red Sox batters. Then he erased the walk he allowed to start the 3rd inning with a pickoff at 2nd base. Berrios was efficient too with just 70 pitches thrown to start inning #7. The Blue jays were smart to lock him up through the 2028 season. 
• The bullpen bent, but it didn't break, Trevor Hoffman retired every batter he faced, but Yimi Garcia wasn't as sharp on a cold night in Boston\
• Offensively, it was the George Springer show, The wily veteran drove in three runs and scored another. Vladdy, soon to  be the richest player on the team, was 2-4 with a run scored.
• Every Blue Jays batter except Alan Roden and Alejandro Kirk either scored a run or drove in a run and all but Roden and Andres Gimenez had a hit
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the win streak to 2 games. Easton Lucas starts against Red Sox lefty Garrett Crochet

Game #11 Toronto Blue Jays (5-5) @ Boston Red Sox (6-4)

 

Game #10 - Toronto Blue Jays (5-5) @ New York Mets (6-3) - game recap

 

Tyler Heineman scored the only Blue Jays run, forced in on a basrs loaded hit by pitch, in a 2-1 loss to the Mets

After blowing a late lead and getting walked off thanks to an inept bullpen, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season. Bowden Francis got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. The Blue Jays opted to keep Alejandro's bat in the lineup as DH against a lefty. Davis Schneider was in LF and Anthony Santander was in RF. Ernie Clement was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Mets opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Pete Alonso singled scoring Hayden Senger
• A batter later, Juan Soto scored on a sac fly by Brandon Niimo
• The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 5th the painful way as Tyler Heineman was forced in when Andre Gimenez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded
• David Peterson pitching line: 4.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 5BB 3K 91 pitches (53 for strikes)
• Bowden Francis pitching line: 5.1IP 6H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 90 pitches (58 for strikes)
• Edwin Diaz pitched a scoreless 9th for his 2nd save of the season
• Final score: Mets 2 Blue Jays 1

My Take:

• Bowden Francis kept up the solid start to the season for the Blue Jays starting pitching, who have all pitched into the 6th inning, with the exception of Max Scherzer, who only made it through three innings before his ailing thumb caused a tight lat muscle, Jose Berrios in the season opener and Easton Lucas in a spot start, the starters have been getting extra outs. Max Scherzer's absence makes the starting pitchers getting deep into games that much more crucial and it means Yariel Rodriguez might need to make the odd start - the team would prefer he remain in the bullpen. Today, Francis battled his way in and out of trouble all day, giving up a pair of runs on 6 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. It was only the 3rd inning where the Mets scored off him, cashing in 2 on 2 walks, a single and a sac fly. He looks like he has found a home in the rotation.
• The bullpen was solid tonight, allowing a hit and a walk over the last 2.2 innings. Brandon Little bounced back after a rough appearance yesterday with a 1-2-3 8th inning and 2 strikeouts
• Offensively, it might have been the worst effort of the season with the Blue Jays unable to take advantage of an effectively wild Davd Peterson, who walked five batters, gave up three hits and hit Andres Gimenez with the bases loaded, a batter he never should have faced after tweaking something a couple of batters prior. The game ended in frustrating fashion with Vlad hitting into a fielder's choice on the first pitch with runners on 1st and 2nd after Mets closer Edwin Diaz hit a couple of batters
• Baseball can be a perplexing sport at the best of times. The Blue Jays came into the series with a 5-2 record having swept the Nationals, outscoring the Nats 14-7. After getting swept by the Mets (and outscored 10-3), the Blue Jays now face a tough 4-game series at Fenway park followed by a rematch with the O's in Baltimore next weekrnd.
• At this point, the Blue Jays could use a distraction, like a surprise lifetime contract with Vlad. Rumor has it the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. are very close to inking what is expected to be a 14-year deal worth $500 million. Vlad was very adamant about not negotiating in-season, but perhaps his slow start to the season and seeing the empty stadium in Toronto changed his mind.
• Up next, the Blue Jays head to Boston to continue the road trip. The Red Sox won the season series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays 53-52. Easton Lucas starts against Red Sox righty Richard Fitts

Game #10 Toronto Blue Jays (5-4) @ New York Mets (5-3)