<p>While the Toronto Blue Jays took Wednesday off, NHL teams didn&#8217;t as that league&#8217;s trade deadline fast approaches.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Surely, George Springer must&#8217;ve been keeping up with the news.</p>
<p>But today, the Jays are back in the mix, taking on the Detroit Tigers—a game in which Bowden Francis will pitch for Toronto. One of the more intriguing names in camp this year, Francis got his first taste of the big leagues last season, throwing 36 and a third innings, operating as a swingman for the team.</p>
<p>He fared more than well, posting a 1.76 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and a .826 WHIP across the 20 games he appeared in, and Francis will be positioned to be an impact arm again this season. Francis didn&#8217;t start any games last season, but he pitched over three innings in four of his outings. His ability to operate as a long arm out of the bullpen is a huge boon for the Jays, and last year, he showed he could handle some of that workload.</p>
<p>What&#8217;s more is, with Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman both working their way through some ailments; it&#8217;s even more important for Francis to be ready to deliver this season.</p>
<p>Opposite of Francis will be righty Kenta Maeda, who signed a two-year deal with the Tigers this past winter.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>First pitch:</strong> 4:05 p.m. EST — Radio: MLB.tv.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a></p>
<p>Moneyline: N/A<br />
Spread: N/A<br />
Over/Under: N/A</p>
<p><em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em></p>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers (2023 statistics):</strong></h2>
<p>TORONTO — RHP Bowden Francis</p>
<p>DETROIT &#8211; RHP Kenta Maeda</p>
<table style="width: 591px;">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 118px;" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 15px;" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 41px;" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 44px;" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9</p>
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div>
</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Bowden Francis</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">36.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">1.73</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.71</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">41</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.86</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">0.83</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 44px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">8.67</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">1.98</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Kenta Maeda</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">MIN</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">20</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">6</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">8</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">104.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.23</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.77</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">100</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">4.02</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.17</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 44px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">10.09</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.42</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<p><strong>TORONTO:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) RF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/cavan-biggio-624415" target="" rel="noopener">C Biggio</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-vogelbach-596129" target="" rel="noopener">D Vogelbach</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/danny-jansen-643376" target="" rel="noopener">D Jansen</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/isiah-kiner-falefa-643396" target="" rel="noopener">I Kiner-Falefa</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-escobar-500871" target="" rel="noopener">E Escobar</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (S) 3B</span></li>
<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/spencer-horwitz-687462" target="" rel="noopener">S Horwitz</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 1B</span></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>TIGERS:</strong></p>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBD</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
<p>Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.</p>
<p><iframe title="Spotify Embed: Blue Jays Nation Radio" style="border-radius: 12px" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" loading="lazy" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&#038;sp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&#038;utm_source=oembed&#038;utm_medium=desktop&#038;nd=1"></iframe></p>
<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i></p>
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While the Toronto Blue Jays took Wednesday off, NHL teams didn't as that league's trade deadline fast approaches.



Surely, George Springer must've been keeping up with the news.

But today, the Jays are back in the mix, taking on the Detroit Tigers—a game in which Bowden Francis will pitch for Toronto. One of the more intriguing names in camp this year, Francis got his first taste of the big leagues last season, throwing 36 and a third innings, operating as a swingman for the team.

He fared more than well, posting a 1.76 ERA, 3.86 FIP, and a .826 WHIP across the 20 games he appeared in, and Francis will be positioned to be an impact arm again this season. Francis didn't start any games last season, but he pitched over three innings in four of his outings. His ability to operate as a long arm out of the bullpen is a huge boon for the Jays, and last year, he showed he could handle some of that workload.

What's more is, with Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman both working their way through some ailments; it's even more important for Francis to be ready to deliver this season.

Opposite of Francis will be righty Kenta Maeda, who signed a two-year deal with the Tigers this past winter.

<hr />

<strong>First pitch:</strong> 4:05 p.m. EST — Radio: MLB.tv.

<a href="https://www.betano.ca/sport/baseball/north-america/mlb/1662r/"><strong>Odds via Betano:</strong></a>

Moneyline: N/A
Spread: N/A
Over/Under: N/A

<em>*Odds available at the time of writing. Odds subject to change.</em>
<h2><strong>Starting pitchers (2023 statistics):</strong></h2>
TORONTO — RHP Bowden Francis

DETROIT - RHP Kenta Maeda
<table style="width: 591px;">
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="align-left fixed " style="width: 118px;" data-col="0" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Name</th>
<th class="align-left " style="width: 50px;" data-col="1" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">Team</th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 27px;" data-col="2" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">GS
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 22px;" data-col="3" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">W
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 15px;" data-col="4" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">L
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 41px;" data-col="5" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">IP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 40px;" data-col="6" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">ERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 50px;" data-col="7" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">xERA
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 47px;" data-col="8" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">ERA-
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 36px;" data-col="9" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">FIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 55px;" data-col="10" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">WHIP
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 44px;" data-col="11" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">K/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
<th class="align-right " style="width: 46px;" data-col="12" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">BB/9
<div class="th-tooltip undefined">
<div class="arrow-down"></div>
<div></div>
</div></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Bowden Francis</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">TOR</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">0</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">36.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">1.73</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.71</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">41</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">3.86</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">0.83</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 44px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">8.67</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">1.98</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="align-left fixed" style="width: 118px;" data-col-id="Name" data-stat="Name">Kenta Maeda</td>
<td class="align-left" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="Team" data-stat="Team">MIN</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 27px;" data-col-id="GS" data-stat="GS">20</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 22px;" data-col-id="W" data-stat="W">6</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 15px;" data-col-id="L" data-stat="L">8</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 41px;" data-col-id="IP" data-stat="IP">104.1</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 40px;" data-col-id="ERA" data-stat="ERA">4.23</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 50px;" data-col-id="xERA" data-stat="xERA">3.77</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 47px;" data-col-id="ERA-" data-stat="ERA-">100</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 36px;" data-col-id="FIP" data-stat="FIP">4.02</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 55px;" data-col-id="WHIP" data-stat="WHIP">1.17</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 44px;" data-col-id="K/9" data-stat="K/9">10.09</td>
<td class="align-right" style="width: 46px;" data-col-id="BB/9" data-stat="BB/9">2.42</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<strong>TORONTO:</strong>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--home">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/george-springer-543807" target="" rel="noopener">G Springer</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) RF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/cavan-biggio-624415" target="" rel="noopener">C Biggio</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 2B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-vogelbach-596129" target="" rel="noopener">D Vogelbach</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) DH</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/danny-jansen-643376" target="" rel="noopener">D Jansen</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) C</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/kevin-kiermaier-595281" target="" rel="noopener">K Kiermaier</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) CF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/daulton-varsho-662139" target="" rel="noopener">D Varsho</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) LF</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/isiah-kiner-falefa-643396" target="" rel="noopener">I Kiner-Falefa</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (R) SS</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-escobar-500871" target="" rel="noopener">E Escobar</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (S) 3B</span></li>
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player"><a class="starting-lineups__player--link" href="https://www.mlb.com/player/spencer-horwitz-687462" target="" rel="noopener">S Horwitz</a><span class="starting-lineups__player--position"> (L) 1B</span></li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<strong>TIGERS:</strong>
<blockquote>
<ol class="starting-lineups__team starting-lineups__team--away">
 	<li class="starting-lineups__player">TBD</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">Need to bide the time until first pitch?</h2>
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.

https://open.spotify.com/show/00f5Twxj4i9KG1WXzdOiG1?go=1&amp;sp_cid=b3195c716641dffe5ac518f4b2755cdc&amp;utm_source=embed_player_p&amp;utm_medium=desktop&amp;nd=1

<hr />

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at</span></i> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"><span style="font-weight: 400;">@zjlaing</span></a><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.</span></i>

<hr />

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