GDB 83.0: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has five home runs in his past seven games

Photo credit:© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

2 days ago

With a win against the New York Yankees on Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays can procure, at worst, a series split.

The big news coming into Saturday’s game is that the Blue Jays designated Tim Mayza for assignment. The left-handed reliever was the team’s longest tenured player, having been on the team since 2017 and was drafted in 2013. After being an elite reliever last season, he had an ERA above 8 in 24.2 innings pitched.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been on an incredible tear in recent times, hitting five home runs in his last seven games. For the season, he’s slashing .291/.371/.456 with 12 homers in 356 plate appearances, along with an 11 BB% and a 16.3 K%. Since May 1, Guerrero Jr. is slashing .328/.395/.520 with nine homers in 220 plate appearances for a 161 wRC+. Re-sign him NOW.

Due to left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortés Jr. being on the mound for the Yankees, both Spencer Horwitz and Addison Barger are out of the lineup. This season, Horwitz is slashing .333/.477/.490 with two homers in 65 plate appearances with a higher BB% (16.9%) than K% (10.8%). After a hot start in his second call-up, Barger has been held hitless in his last three games, picking up one hit in his last 18 plate appearances.

George Springer returns to the lineup, a good sign as he’s hit three home runs this past week. He was hit in the hand with a pitch and was removed from the game after picking up two RBI. Hopefully, Springer makes an impact in this game.

First pitch: 3:07 PM ET

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN 590