GDB 86.0: Blue Jays look to even the series against the Astros

Photo credit:© Dan Hamilton - USA Today

2 days ago

Canada Day didn’t go as planned, as the Blue Jays dropped the opener to the Houston Astros.

For the second time this season, they are eight games below .500 with a 38-46 record. The bats have been going in recent times, scoring 70 runs in their past 15 games, where they have a 5-10 record. The bullpen just hasn’t been good enough.

To make matters worse, the Jays have had to rely on prospects more often than one would assume they’d like too. On Tuesday, the Blue Jays placed Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the 10-day Injured List due to a left knee sprain, and will be “week-to-week.” To replace him, the Blue Jays recalled Leo Jimenez.

This a tough loss for the Jays, as Kiner-Falefa has slashed .292/.338/.420 with seven homers in 281 plate appearances for a 117 wRC+ and a 2 fWAR. The 2024 season has by far been his best season of his career, and he’s been one of the Blue Jays best hitters.

Canadian-born Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was out of the Blue Jays lineup on Monday after being hit in the hand by Gerrit Cole on Sunday. Well, he’s returned to the lineup, which is great because he’s been one of the league’s best hitters since the start of May.

Spencer Horwitz returns to the second spot in the lineup, and the young first baseman/second baseman is slashing .305/.446/.458 with two homers in 74 plate appearances for a 164 wRC+. Ernie Clement and Addison Barger are also in the lineup for the Jays on Tuesday.

First pitch: 7:07 PM ET

TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN 590