<p>Crunch time is coming.</p>
<p></p>
<p>We&#8217;ve seen the first shoe drop with the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/a-retrospective-look-at-santiago-espinals-blue-jay-tenure">trade of infielder Santiago Espinal to the Cincinnati Reds</a>, opening up a spot on the big roster. It&#8217;s presumably going to go to Ernie Clement, who has had an electric Spring Training in which he&#8217;s hit three home runs, slashed .375/.390/.700, posting a 184 wRC+.</p>
<p>Oh, and he&#8217;s only struck out once across 41 plate appearances, with the second-lowest K% among qualified hitters this spring. Yeah, not bad.</p>
<p>His ability to lineup all over the field has played a key, coupled with his work at the plate, undoubtedly led to Espinal&#8217;s departure. As the Blue Jays take on the Red Sox this afternoon, Clement will hit out of the three-hole.</p>
<p>Others still looking to stay in the mix will take the field Friday, too. Daniel Vogelbach will bat clean up, while Isiah-Kiner Falefa will hit fifth. Down the order, names like Nathan Lukes, Brian Severn, Addison Barger and Will Robertson will all hit as they look to position themselves within the organization.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>First pitch:</strong> 1:05 p.m. EST. TV: Sportsnet.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a></p>
<p>Moneyline: TOR -182; BOS +147.<br />
Spread: TOR -1.5 +118; BOS +1.5 -143.<br />
Over/Under: o6.5 -128; u6.5 +105.</p>
<p><em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em></p>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers:</strong></h2>
<p>TORONTO — RHP Mitch White</p>
<p>RED SOX — RHP Justin Hagenman</p>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<p><strong>TORONTO:</strong></p>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 1B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ernie-clement-676391" target="" rel="noopener">E Clement</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 2B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-vogelbach-596129" target="" rel="noopener">D Vogelbach</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/isiah-kiner-falefa-643396" target="" rel="noopener">I Kiner-Falefa</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/nathan-lukes-664770" target="" rel="noopener">N Lukes</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/brian-serven-661531" target="" rel="noopener">B Serven</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/addison-barger-680718" target="" rel="noopener">A Barger</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 3B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/will-robertson-683770" target="" rel="noopener">W Robertson</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) RF</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"> <strong>RED SOX:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-677800" target="" rel="noopener">W Abreu</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) RF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/pablo-reyes-622569" target="" rel="noopener">P Reyes</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/enmanuel-valdez-665839" target="" rel="noopener">E Valdez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/bobby-dalbec-666915" target="" rel="noopener">B Dalbec</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 3B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-contreras-676628" target="" rel="noopener">M Contreras</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eddy-alvarez-657193" target="" rel="noopener">E Alvarez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-kolozsvary-656627" target="" rel="noopener">M Kolozsvary</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/niko-kavadas-694359" target="" rel="noopener">N Kavadas</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 1B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/juan-chacon-691370" target="" rel="noopener">J Chacon</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) CF</span></li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<p>Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.</p>
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<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i></p>
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Crunch time is coming.



We've seen the first shoe drop with the <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/a-retrospective-look-at-santiago-espinals-blue-jay-tenure">trade of infielder Santiago Espinal to the Cincinnati Reds</a>, opening up a spot on the big roster. It's presumably going to go to Ernie Clement, who has had an electric Spring Training in which he's hit three home runs, slashed .375/.390/.700, posting a 184 wRC+.

Oh, and he's only struck out once across 41 plate appearances, with the second-lowest K% among qualified hitters this spring. Yeah, not bad.

His ability to lineup all over the field has played a key, coupled with his work at the plate, undoubtedly led to Espinal's departure. As the Blue Jays take on the Red Sox this afternoon, Clement will hit out of the three-hole.

Others still looking to stay in the mix will take the field Friday, too. Daniel Vogelbach will bat clean up, while Isiah-Kiner Falefa will hit fifth. Down the order, names like Nathan Lukes, Brian Severn, Addison Barger and Will Robertson will all hit as they look to position themselves within the organization.

<hr />

<strong>First pitch:</strong> 1:05 p.m. EST. TV: Sportsnet.

<a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a>

Moneyline: TOR -182; BOS +147.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +118; BOS +1.5 -143.
Over/Under: o6.5 -128; u6.5 +105.

<em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers:</strong></h2>
TORONTO — RHP Mitch White

RED SOX — RHP Justin Hagenman
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<strong>TORONTO:</strong>
<div class="starting-lineups__teams starting-lineups__teams--xs starting-lineups__teams--md starting-lineups__teams--lg">
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/vladimir-guerrero-jr-665489" target="" rel="noopener">V Guerrero Jr.</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 1B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/ernie-clement-676391" target="" rel="noopener">E Clement</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 2B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-vogelbach-596129" target="" rel="noopener">D Vogelbach</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/isiah-kiner-falefa-643396" target="" rel="noopener">I Kiner-Falefa</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/nathan-lukes-664770" target="" rel="noopener">N Lukes</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/brian-serven-661531" target="" rel="noopener">B Serven</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/addison-barger-680718" target="" rel="noopener">A Barger</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 3B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/will-robertson-683770" target="" rel="noopener">W Robertson</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) RF</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="starting-lineups__buttons starting-lineups__buttons--bottom">
<div class="p-button-group" role="group">
<div class="p-button p-button--regular starting-lineups__button"> <strong>RED SOX:</strong></div>
</div>
</div>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-677800" target="" rel="noopener">W Abreu</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) RF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/pablo-reyes-622569" target="" rel="noopener">P Reyes</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/enmanuel-valdez-665839" target="" rel="noopener">E Valdez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/bobby-dalbec-666915" target="" rel="noopener">B Dalbec</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) 3B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-contreras-676628" target="" rel="noopener">M Contreras</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eddy-alvarez-657193" target="" rel="noopener">E Alvarez</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/mark-kolozsvary-656627" target="" rel="noopener">M Kolozsvary</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/niko-kavadas-694359" target="" rel="noopener">N Kavadas</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 1B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/juan-chacon-691370" target="" rel="noopener">J Chacon</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) CF</span></li>
</ol>
<h2 style="text-align: left">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

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<i><span style="font-weight: 400">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i>

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