GDB 68: Blue Jays look to take the series against the Brewers in afternoon contest

It’s another similar series for the Blue Jays – lose the first game, win the second one, and look to take the third one. The narrative played in their last series against Oakland this past weekend and it lives again here in Milwaukee, where the Blue Jays will send Chris Bassitt to the mound to send the team back home with a win.

While the Jays bats have been limited to just four runs the past two days, the club hasn’t lost a series since the four-game set against the Tigers back in late May and seems to be picking up momentum at the right time after a slow start to the season. A win today puts the Jays back at .500 ball and doing so against the NL Central-leading Brewers is not a bad place to start.

The Jays collected nine hits in yesterday’s contest and may have found a new leadoff candidate in Spencer Horwitz, who produced two knocks last night while also bringing home the game’s second run on a bloop single to right-centre last night. Bichette also produced two hits on the day while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was kept off the scoresheet, a rare site for the first baseman who bounced back in a big way this past month. As well, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier left last night’s game with what the Blue Jays are describing as a ‘knee contusion’ after fouling a ball off his leg earlier in the game so it will be interesting to see if that injury develops into something further.

On the mound, Bassitt is riding a hot streak that has seen him post a 2.51 ERA through his last seven outings, striking out 40 batters in the process. He has allowed three or fewer runs since the start of May and will be looking to build upon his last outing against Oakland where he went eight innings and allowed just one run in the eventual loss.

Opposite Bassitt will be right-hander Tobias Meyers. The 25-year-old rookie has made eight appearances this season (seven starts) and owns a 4.15 ERA on the season. The Jays will be looking to get to Meyers early, as his last start against the Chicago White Sox saw him plate five earned runs through 4 1/3, with the Brewers starter having not thrown more than five innings in a single game all year. Expect the Brewers bullpen to be put into action early this game as well if history continues.

Following today’s game the Jays will fly back home to Toronto to take on the Boston Red Sox for a three-game set starting Friday.

First Pitch: 2:07 pm EST

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590

1. Spencer Horwitz (L) 1B

2. Davis Schneider (R) LF

3.. Bo Bichette (R) SS

4. Daniel Vogelbach (L) DH

5. George Springer (R) RF

6. Alejandro Kirk (R) C

7. Daulton Varsho (L) CF

8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) 2B

9. Ernie Clement (R) 3B

1. Bryce Turang (L) 2B

2. William Contreras (R) C

3. Christian Yelich (L) DH

4. Willy Adames (R) SS

5. Sal Frelick (L) RF

6. Jake Bauers (L) 1B

7. Jackson Chourio (R) LF

8. Oliver Dunn (L) 3B

9. Blake Perkins (S) C