GDB 84.0: Blue Jays look to lock down their first series win since mid-June

The Toronto Blue Jays are one win away from taking a four-game set from the New York Yankees, a phrase many did not think would be possible after the past two weeks the Blue Jays have gone through.

After getting swept by the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Guardians before facing the Red Sox again, the Jays limped into a home series against the Yankees on a one-game winning streak and a fresh team after a rainout game in Boston that will now be made up in August. The team put up a strong effort on Thursday, getting to starter Carlos Rodon early (even in the first inning!) but followed it up with a bullpen implosion the next day, a 16-5 defeat that turned things around quickly for a team looking to fight their way back to .500 baseball.

Yesterday’s 9-3 win was another step in the right direction and the Jays will be looking to finish the series off on a positive note before the Canada Day game tomorrow afternoon.

The Jays bats have been impressive, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer starting to barrel the ball in a way that is greatly helping this Jays squad. Guerrero Jr. heads into today’s game with home runs in three straight contests and six in his last eight games. The team has lacked consistency at the plate all season long and with Bo Bichette still looking to find his swing, having Guerrero Jr. and Springer batting well goes a long way. Bichette gets the day off today while Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who is also having a strong start to the first half of the year, slots into shortstop today.

The Jays will send Kevin Gausman to the mound today to face the Yankees. The right-hander has been a shade of his Cy Young-worthy campaign last season but has found a rhythm lately, heading to the mound with a 3.65 ERA through his last seven starts.

He has two starts against the Yankees already this season, both of which are on the opposite ends of the quality side. His first outing lasted 1 1/3 to the tune of five earned runs early in the season and his second start back on April 17th saw him go five innings, allowing just four hits and one run through 101 pitches.

Opposite Gausman for the Yankees will be right-hander Gerrit Cole, who faces the Jays for the first time this season since coming back from an elbow injury. Through two starts, he owns a 9.00 ERA and has allowed eight earned runs off ten hits through eight innings of work. The right-hander will look to right the ship against the Blue Jays today.

First Pitch: 1:37 pm EST

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590

1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) SS

2. Spencer Horwitz (L) 2B

3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B

4. Justin Turner (R) DH

5. George Springer (R) RF

6. Daulton Varsho (L) LF

7. Danny Jansen (R) C

8. Ernie Clement (R) 3B

9. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF

1. Anthony Volpe (R) SS
2. Ben Rice (L) 1B
3. Aaron Judge (R) RF
4. Alex Verdugo (L) LF

5. Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
6. J.D. Davis (R) DH

7. Austin Wells (L) C
8. DJ LeMahieu (R) 3B

9. Trent Grisham (L) CF