GDB 131.0: Can the Toronto Blue Jays down the surging Washington Nationals?

There’s no such thing as easy wins.

The Jays learned that the hard way this weekend dropping two of three games against the Cleveland Guardians. And now, the Jays will welcome the surging Washington Nationals to town.

They’ve been on a run since the all-star break going 25-16, but their success predates that, too, to late June when Xander Bogaerts said “C’mon man. We’re playing the Nationals.”

Since then, they’ve gone 31-23 with the ninth-most wins in the major leagues. Not bad at all.

Even with the Jays’ top three pitchers in the rotation taking the mound over the next three night, they can’t take the Nationals lightly.

First pitch: 7:07 p.m EST — Sportsnet, Sportsnet 650.

Toronto Blue Jays: 71-60, 10.5 GB, 2.5 WCGB, +55 DIFF.

Washington Nationals: 61-70, 24.0 GB, 8.0 WCGB, -93 DIFF.

Moneyline: TOR -250; WAS +210.

*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.

TOR: Kevin Gausman RHP – 9-8, 25 GS, 150.1 IP. 3.23 ERA, 132 ERA+, 2.86 FIP, 1.157 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, 11.7 SO/9.

WAS: Josiah Gray RHP – 7-10, 25 GS, 135.2 IP. 3.85 ERA, 111 ERA+, 4.91 FIP, 1.445 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 7.8 SO/9.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the Cleveland Guardians.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.