GDB 8.0: Toronto Blue Jays look for new life opening three-game set against New York Yankees

Three games, two losses, two hits, one home run, one win.

The Toronto Blue Jays had, well, a rough series against the Houston Astros, whose pitching staff carved up Toronto hitters for three days straight. The Jays’ pitching staff couldn’t find a way to counter, instead coughing up 19 runs in three games. Yeah, not great.

Friday afternoon, the Jays get a chance to move on, paying visit to Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees. These early-season series are crucial in the long run of the season, so finding a way to rectify some wins this weekend should be of upmost importance.

The Jays will send out Yusei Kikuchi to the mound, while Stroman takes it for the Bronx Bombers. Saturday will see Kevin Gausman start opposite Clarke Schmidt, while the finale on Sunday will pit Bowden Francis against Luis Gil.

First pitch: 1:05 p.m. EST. TV & Radio: Sportsnet.

Weather: “A broken line of showers is moving through around gametime. A brief delay or late start is possible if a heavier shower happens to pass over the ballpark. Chilly with winds blowing out to center at 15-20mph.” – Kevin Roth, Rotogrinders.

Moneyline: TOR +130; NYY -154.
Spread: TOR +1.5 -161; NYY -1.5 +130.
Over/Under: o8.5 -115; u8.5 -105.

Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

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@thenationnetwork.com.