GDB 152.0: Bowden Francis takes the mound against the Rangers
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Following a sloppy 13-8 loss in the series opener, the Toronto Blue Jays will look to even up this three-game set with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening. The two teams have matching 72-79 records on the season.
Starting for the Blue Jays will be Bowden Francis, who’s been arguably the best pitcher in baseball over the past month and a half. Since Yusei Kikuchi was traded in late July and Francis was moved into a permanent spot in the starting rotation, the right-hander has posted a sparkling 1.83 ERA over 54 innings.
He’s carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning of two different games, the first coming against the Los Angeles Angels on August 24 and the second coming a couple of weeks later against the New York Mets on September 11. All told, the 28-year-old has a 3.50 ERA over 11 starts and 14 relief appearances with the Blue Jays this season.
Going for the Rangers will be left-hander Cody Bradford, who’s in his second season in the Major Leagues. The sixth-round pick from the 2019 MLB Draft put up a 5.30 ERA over 56 innings in his debut season with Texas in 2023. Bradford has improved to a 3.97 ERA this season in 12 appearances.
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 Bowden Francis: 8-4 record, 3.50 ERA, 92 2/3 IP, 82 SO, 20 BB.
Texas — LHP Cody Bradford: 5-3 record, 3.98 ERA, 65 2/3 IP, 60 SO, 10 BB.
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – RF
- Bo Bichette – SS
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Spencer Horwitz – DH
- Ernie Clement – 3B
- Davis Schneider – LF
- Joey Loperfido – CF
- 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
- Ezequiel Duran – DH