GDB 151.0: Toronto Blue Jays open series with Texas Rangers
Photo credit: MLBNetwork
After a day off on Monday, the Toronto Blue Jays will be back in action on Tuesday as they begin a week-long road trip against the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays.
Last year’s World Series Champions, the Rangers have been among the biggest disappointments in baseball this season. They own a 71-79 record with a couple of weeks left to play and are ten games back of the American League West and eight games back in the Wild Card race. Back in July, Texas came to Toronto and the Blue Jays pulled off a sweep.
The Rangers have been hammered by injuries this year, with a league-leading nearly $90 million in payroll spent on players on the Injured List. Corey Seager, Jon Gray, and Max Scherzer are among the names on the Rangers who have missed time, while Marcus Semien, Jonah Heim, and Adolis Garcia have taken steps back offensively this season.
Friday’s game will feature a pitching matchup with a pair of veteran starters, as Chris Bassitt will go for the Blue Jays and Nathan Eovaldi will go for the Rangers. Bassitt owns a 4.20 ERA over 29 starts this season while Eovaldi has a 3.67 ERA in 26 starts.
Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
First Pitch: 8:05 PM ET
Watch: Sportsnet, Bally Sports Southwest
Listen: SN590, SN APP, 105.3 The Fan, KFLC 1270
Starting Pitchers
Toronto — RHP Chris Bassitt: 10-13 record, 4.20 ERA, 163 IP, 164 SO, 58 BB.
Texas — RHP Nathan Eovaldi: 11-8 record, 3.67 ERA, 152 IP, 150 SO, 36 BB.
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – RF
- Bo Bichette – SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Spencer Horwitz – DH
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Ernie Clement – 3B
- Nathan Lukes – CF
- Davis Schneider – LF
- Leo Jimenez – 2B
Rangers:
- Marcus Semien – 2B
- Josh Smith – SS
- Wyatt Langford – LF
- Adolis Garcia – RF
- Nathaniel Lowe – 1B
- Josh Jung – 3B
- Jonah Heim – C
- Leody Taveras – CF
- Justin Foscue – DH