Coming off <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-toronto-blue-jays-smash-tigers-11-4-series-opener">an 11-4 thumping of the Detroit Tigers Thursday,</a> the Toronto Blue Jays will look to maintain momentum in Game 2 of the four-game series at Comerica Park on Friday.  
While the Blue Jays now stand alone atop the American League – for the first time since 2015 – after last night&#8217;s win, it’s not time to sit back on the wins they’ve already banked. 
The club will be looking to get greedy and build on its existing lead in the standings. Detroit isn’t a divisional opponent, but they are one-and-a-half games back of Toronto in the American League, a race that also includes the Houston Astros, who sit one game back. 
Finishing not just atop the division, but also in one of the AL’s top two spots, is of the utmost importance for this Blue Jays club. Doing so would secure a coveted bye to an American League Division Series, skipping a volatile three-game wildcard set. Blue Jays fans know all too well the dangers of such a series after suffering 24-hour sweeps in their last three playoff appearances.  
That’s what makes this four-gamer against the Tigers – the final series between the two teams this season – so important. Gaining separation from a team that is also in the running for a bye is crucial.  
Based on the two teams recent track records, this series couldn’t have come at a better time for the Blue Jays. They are an MLB-best 15-4 in July, while the Tigers are mired in their worst slump of the season having lost nine of their last 10 games.  
Jose Berrios will take the hill for Toronto, having struggled in so far in July. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 7.11 ERA over 19 innings in his four starts this month. Berrios will look to overcome <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-jose-berrioss-underlying-numbers-are-a-potential-cause-for-concern">concerning process indicators</a> – including declines in strikeout rates and stuff – against a Tigers team that is sixth in the major leagues in runs (495) and eighth in wRC+ (106).  
Meanwhile the Blue Jays will face Keider Montero, who is having a solid sophomore campaign, pitching to a 4.28 ERA over 69 1/3 innings in a swingman role. Prepare for a ton of contact, as the 25-year-old righty has minuscule strikeout and whiff rates (14th and ninth percentile, respectively). Add that the Blue Jays have the lowest strikeout rate of any team in the last eight seasons and we have a recipe for a lot of balls in play.  
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Location: Comerica Park – Detroit, Michigan
First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. EST
Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
Toronto Blue Jays &#8211; Jose Berrios: 6-4 record, 3.87 ERA, 121 IP, 102 SO, 42 BB
Detroit Tigers &#8211; Keider Montero: 4-2 record, 4.28 ERA, 69 1/3 IP, 50 SO, 25 BB
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
Blue Jays:
<ol>
<li>Nathan Lukes – CF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>George Springer – DH<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Bo Bichette – SS<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Addison Barger – RF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Alejandro Kirk – C<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Joey Loperfido – LF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Ernie Clement – 2B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Will Wagner – 3B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
</ol>
Tigers:
<ol>
<li>Colt Keith – DH</li>
<li>Gleyber Torres – CF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Riley Greene – LF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Spencer Torkelson – 1B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Wenceel Perez – RF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Zach McKinstry – 3B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
<li>Dillon Dingler – C</li>
<li>Parker Meadows – CF</li>
<li>Javier Baez – SS</li>
</ol>
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Coming off <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/instant-reaction-toronto-blue-jays-smash-tigers-11-4-series-opener">an 11-4 thumping of the Detroit Tigers Thursday,</a> the Toronto Blue Jays will look to maintain momentum in Game 2 of the four-game series at Comerica Park on Friday.  

While the Blue Jays now stand alone atop the American League – for the first time since 2015 – after last night's win, it’s not time to sit back on the wins they’ve already banked. 

The club will be looking to get greedy and build on its existing lead in the standings. Detroit isn’t a divisional opponent, but they are one-and-a-half games back of Toronto in the American League, a race that also includes the Houston Astros, who sit one game back. 

Finishing not just atop the division, but also in one of the AL’s top two spots, is of the utmost importance for this Blue Jays club. Doing so would secure a coveted bye to an American League Division Series, skipping a volatile three-game wildcard set. Blue Jays fans know all too well the dangers of such a series after suffering 24-hour sweeps in their last three playoff appearances.  

That’s what makes this four-gamer against the Tigers – the final series between the two teams this season – so important. Gaining separation from a team that is also in the running for a bye is crucial.  

Based on the two teams recent track records, this series couldn’t have come at a better time for the Blue Jays. They are an MLB-best 15-4 in July, while the Tigers are mired in their worst slump of the season having lost nine of their last 10 games.  

Jose Berrios will take the hill for Toronto, having struggled in so far in July. The 31-year-old right-hander has a 7.11 ERA over 19 innings in his four starts this month. Berrios will look to overcome <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-jose-berrioss-underlying-numbers-are-a-potential-cause-for-concern">concerning process indicators</a> – including declines in strikeout rates and stuff – against a Tigers team that is sixth in the major leagues in runs (495) and eighth in wRC+ (106).  

Meanwhile the Blue Jays will face Keider Montero, who is having a solid sophomore campaign, pitching to a 4.28 ERA over 69 1/3 innings in a swingman role. Prepare for a ton of contact, as the 25-year-old righty has minuscule strikeout and whiff rates (14th and ninth percentile, respectively). Add that the Blue Jays have the lowest strikeout rate of any team in the last eight seasons and we have a recipe for a lot of balls in play.  

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Location: Comerica Park – Detroit, Michigan

First Pitch: 7:10 p.m. EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
Toronto Blue Jays - Jose Berrios: 6-4 record, 3.87 ERA, 121 IP, 102 SO, 42 BB

Detroit Tigers - Keider Montero: 4-2 record, 4.28 ERA, 69 1/3 IP, 50 SO, 25 BB
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
Blue Jays:
<ol>
 	<li>Nathan Lukes – CF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>George Springer – DH<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Bo Bichette – SS<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Addison Barger – RF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Alejandro Kirk – C<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Joey Loperfido – LF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Ernie Clement – 2B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Will Wagner – 3B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
</ol>
Tigers:
<ol>
 	<li>Colt Keith – DH</li>
 	<li>Gleyber Torres – CF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Riley Greene – LF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Spencer Torkelson – 1B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Wenceel Perez – RF<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Zach McKinstry – 3B<span data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}"> </li>
 	<li>Dillon Dingler – C</li>
 	<li>Parker Meadows – CF</li>
 	<li>Javier Baez – SS</li>
</ol>

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