GDB 82.0: The Blue Jays look to continue winning ways against a reeling Yankees squad

Photo credit:© John E. Sokolowski - USA Today

2 days ago

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The Toronto Blue Jays are gaining some momentum as of late, winning their last two games (minus the Boston Red Sox rain game that was moved to later this year). The club put up nine runs on Wednesday against the Red Sox to win the second game of the series and the bats were alive again against the Yankees yesterday, with the Jays getting to opposing pitcher Carlos Rodon early to the tune of eight runs before the second inning was over.

In paticular, George Springer had a fantastic game – 3 for 3 with two home runs and six RBIs – and was easily the star of the show. He was all over Rodon’s fastball and hit consecutive no-doubt homers to the left side of the field, with his swing coming alive against one of the Yankees top arms. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also got into the home run fun, with the righty-batter turning a potential walk into a round tripper when home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak called him back to the plate on a borderline 3-1 pitch.

José Berríos and the Blue Jays bullpen were also stellar in the contest, with the Jays starter going seven innings and allowing just two hits on the day. The group held Juan Soto and Aaron Judge out of the hit column and the only blemish on Berríos’s day was a two-run home run to Trent Grisham that just squeaked over the left field wall. Zach Pop and Bowden Francis followed the Puerto Rican product and both tossed scoreless innings, limiting the damage to the two runs and helping the Jays seal a home win.

Today, the Blue Jays will be countering with Yusei Kikuchi. The southpaw has struggled after a hot start to the year and was tagged for eight hits and four runs in his latest outing against the Cleveland Guardians. Kikuchi owns a 6.32 ERA through his last seven starts but on a positive note, the left-hander has held the Yankees in his previous two starts against New York earlier this season. The 33-year-old has allowed just eight hits through 11 1/3 innings with one earned run while striking out 16 batters and will be looking to carry that momentum into this series.

Opposite Kikuchi will be former Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman, who toes the rubber for the 17th time this season. The New York product has had a solid year on the mound, authoring a 3.15 ERA with a 6.6 K/9 through 91 1/3 innings, and has been a bright spot in their rotation this season. With his familiarity of the Rogers Centre after spending parts of six seasons North of the border, it will be an interesting matchup for the Blue Jays hitters.

First Pitch: 7:07 pm EST

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590

Starting Pitchers:

Name	Team	GS	W	L	ERA	xERA	ERA-	FIP	WHIP	K/9	BB/9
Yusei Kikuchi	TOR	16	4	7	4.00	3.89	102	3.53	1.33	9.29	2.16
Marcus Stroman	NYY	16	7	3	3.15	4.40	81	4.88	1.26	6.60	3.94