GDB 120.0: Blue Jays look to snag series from Los Angeles Angels
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
By Zach Laing
Aug 13, 2024, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 14, 2024, 17:33 EDT
The Will Wagner era in Toronto has arrived.
The rookie made his MLB debut Monday night with the Blue Jays, turning in a tremendous performance going three-for-four at the plate with a double, an RBI and four total bases, helping the club beat the Angels 4-2. Acquired by the team in the Yusei Kikuchi deal, Wagner lit up the Triple-A level in seven games with the Bisons, slashing .400/.526/.600 for a 1.116 OPS across 31 plate appearances, walking five times, striking out four, hitting two doubles and adding a home run.
He’s carried that momentum over to the big club in his first appearance, providing a nice spark and a great story amid a difficult 2024 season for the team. His performance, as well as a career day on the mound from Bowden Francis, were just what the Jays needed. Francis went seven innings Monday, striking out eight batters, walking none and allowing just one earned run off a third-inning home run to Mickey Moniak.
The Blue Jays will send Kevin Gausman to the mound Tuesday night, hoping to build off of Francis’ performance, as the Angels counter with Carson Fulmer.
First pitch: 9:38 p.m. EST.
TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590, BSW.
Odds via Bet365:
Moneyline: TOR -130; LAA +110.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +115; LAA +1.5 -130.
Over/Under: o9 -105; u9 -105
Spread: TOR -1.5 +115; LAA +1.5 -130.
Over/Under: o9 -105; u9 -105
*Odds at the time of publishing. Odds subject to change.
Starting pitchers:
| Name | Team | GS | W | L | IP | ERA | xERA | ERA- | FIP | WHIP | K/9 | BB/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kevin Gausman | TOR | 23 | 10 | 8 | 132.1 | 4.42 | 5.08 | 109 | 4.15 | 1.27 | 8.23 | 2.65 |
Carson Fulmer | LAA | 5 | 0 | 2 | 67.1 | 3.74 | 4.32 | 90 | 4.38 | 1.20 | 8.55 | 4.01 |
Lineups:
BLUE JAYS:
- G Springer (R) RF
- D Varsho (L) CF
- V Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- S Horwitz (L) DH
- E Clement (R) 3B
- W Wagner (L) 2B
- L Jiménez (R) SS
- J Loperfido (L) LF
- B Serven (R) C
ANGELS:
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Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.