GDB 135.0: Can Chris Bassitt find his game again for the Toronto Blue Jays?

Photo credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
By Zach Laing
Aug 28, 2024, 16:44 EDT
Chris Bassit of late isn’t the Chris Bassitt we’ve come to know.
In fact, since July rolled around, he doesn’t seem anything like himself. In nine starts, he’s gone 2-6 throwing 47 and two-third innings, posting a 6.80 ERA, allowing a .284 batting average and .838 OPS to opposing hitters. While he’s maintained a good walk rate of 8.8 percent, with a 22.8 strikeout percentage, he’s also fallen apart at the seams at times. He’s allowed four or more earned runs against in five of those starts, and he continues to give up damage in a big way.
It pales in comparison with the first three months of his season. From March through June, he went 7-6 in 17 starts, throwing 97 and one-third innings. His ERA was just 3.24, allowing a .259 batting average and .690 OPS. His walk rate and strikeout rate remained virtually the same as it has been in the last two months, but what’s noticable is he gave up eight home runs over that stretch, the same as he has in July and August.
The good news for Bassitt is he takes the mound Wednesday evening at Fenway Park, a venue he’s had plenty of success in over his career. Across three starts and 21 innings, he’s posted a 2.14 ERA, the fourth-best number at any ballpark in baseball, with Alejandro Kirk catching for him.
Could this be where Chris Bassitt starts to find his game again?
First pitch: 7:10 p.m. EST.
TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590.
Odds via Bet365:
Moneyline: TOR +115; BOS -135.
Spread: TOR +1.5 -165; BOS -1.5 +140.
Over/Under: o9.5 -110; u9.5 -110.
Spread: TOR +1.5 -165; BOS -1.5 +140.
Over/Under: o9.5 -110; u9.5 -110.
*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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Bassitt | TOR | 26 | 9 | 12 | 145.0 | 4.41 | 4.35 | 110 | 4.08 | 1.42 | 8.69 | 3.48 |
Brayan Bello | BOS | 24 | 11 | 6 | 129.0 | 4.95 | 4.65 | 114 | 4.56 | 1.43 | 8.51 | 3.56 |
Lineups:
BLUE JAYS:
- G Springer (R) RF
- D Varsho (L) CF
- V Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
- S Horwitz (L) DH
- A Barger (L) 3B
- A Kirk (R) C
- J Loperfido (L) LF
- E Clement (R) SS
- W Wagner (L) 2B
RED SOX:
- J Duran (L) CF
- D Hamilton (L) 2B
- T O’Neill (R) LF
- T Casas (L) 1B
- W Abreu (L) RF
- M Yoshida (L) DH
- C Wong (R) C
- R Gonzalez (R) 3B
- C Rafaela (R) SS
Need to bide the time until first pitch?
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about all the happenings in Toronto and beyond.
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.
SPONSORED BY bet365
Breaking News
- Cedric Mullins signs one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays
- George Springer headlines Blue Jays’ 2025 BBWAA awards
- George Springer’s ALCS Game 7 home run ball available via auction
- Former Blue Jay Anthony Kay signs with White Sox
- Examining Blue Jays’ loaded starting pitching depth post-Cody Ponce signing
