Series Preview: Swan Song for Stro-Show

Sadly, this appears to be the end for Stro-Show’s time with the Blue Jays. According to multiple reports, many scouts will be attending Marcus Stroman’s start against the Tigers. Those reports also state that this could very likely be the final start that Stroman makes in a Blue Jays uniform.

While this news shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, it’s still disheartening that the longest-tenured Blue Jay could be making his final start with the organization that drafted him back in 2012. Stroman’s current team comes into this series as losers of five of their last seven games.

Speaking of Stro-Show, he’ll surprisingly be making his ever career start at Comerica Park. Stroman has faced the Tigers four times in his career but all coming at the Rogers Centre. The 28-year-old was outstanding in his start against these rebuilding Tigers earlier this season.

The man who embodies the heart and soul of this team pitched seven scoreless-innings and created a season-high seven strikeouts against the Tigers. Coming into this series, the Tigers have struck out the 2nd-most times in the AL this month. Which means Stroman should be able to create similar success against these Tigers hitters. In what will likely be his last start with Canada’s team.

Jordan Zimmermann is currently on his worst-stretch of his entire career. Over his last two games, the overpaid 33-year-old has surrendered a combined 21 hits and 14 runs through just seven and a 1/3 innings pitched. Zimmermann has also yet to even earn a victory through his eleven starts this season as well.

While the former all-star did hold the Blue Jays for just one hit back on Opening Day, this Blue Jays lineup is almost completely different since that game. Which means the Blue Jays should be able to record better results against the overrated Zimmermann, and increase his current 7.01 ERA even further.

Obviously, the Blue Jays shouldn’t allow Trent Thornton to face the Red Sox anymore this season. Thornton lasted just an inning and a 1/3 in his latest start against the Red Sox. Once again, the Red Sox knew exactly which pitch Thornton was planning to throw to them.

Thankfully, the 25-year-old will now get to face a significantly less-dangerous lineup in this start. The Tigers currently own the 5th-worst OPS in the AL recorded this month. Facing the Tigers will hopefully help Thornton record similar results to his start against the “Trash Birds” before the all-star break.

Daniel Norris spent four seasons within the Blue Jays organization before being traded away for David Price back in 2015. This will be the first time that Norris will be facing the Blue Jays since that trade. After battling with cancer for the majority of last season, Norris hasn’t been able to translate his numbers this season to his outstanding success off the field.

The 26-year-old is currently pitching with a 5.14 ERA, 1.443 WHIP and he’s allowed five runs or more in three of his last four starts. Giving up home runs has been a major problem for Norris so far this season. He’s allowed at least one home run in ten of his last twelve games. The Blue Jays have recorded 52.3% of their runs this season via the home run. Which means they should have a very good chance at increasing that number in this game.

The Blue Jays haven’t officially announced who will be starting this game for them. But, it will likely either be another start from Jacob Waguespack or Ryan Borucki. Waguespack made his first start of the season last time out against the Red Sox. Where he went four and 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on six hits along with creating a pair of strikeouts.

For Borucki, he would be making his season-debut after he’s been on the IL since the start of the season with elbow soreness. Through his four rehab starts, Borucki has pitched a combined 18 innings and recorded a 3.00 ERA, 0.833 WHIP and a 9.5 SO/9. If the Blue Jays decide to go with Waguespack, then that would mean Borucki would open the series against the Indians back in the Six.

The Tigers haven’t announced who they’re planning to start this game for them, but it will likely be just a bullpen day for them. Ryan Carpenter has served as the opener for the Tigers so far this season. Although, he was absolutely destroyed in his latest outing.

Carpenter was charged for seven runs on seven hits in just three innings of work. The 28-year-old has also been asked to throw multiple innings in every game this season. So, the Tigers will likely have a very short leash on him if the Blue Jays start to hit him around early on in this game.