GDB 158.0: Bowden Francis takes the mound for final time this season as Blue Jays face Red Sox

Photo credit: © David Butler II - USA Today
By Zach Laing
Sep 24, 2024, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 24, 2024, 16:01 EDT
Tuesday marks the final start of the season for Bowden Francis, who flipped his 2024 season on its head transforming into a starting pitcher.
While Francis started his season in the rotation, the 28-year-old made just two starts, getting blown up against the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, giving up 12 earned runs across eight and one-third innings. He found his game in the bullpen, making 14 appearances between mid-April and mid-July, mixing in a single spot start, throwing for a 3.86 ERA. But he found his way back into the rotation after the MLB’s Trade Deadline, going on a historic run where across four starts and 29 innings against the Angles twice, Cubs and Red Sox, Francis allowed just six hits and two earned runs.
The run was incredible, and while he’s come down to earth over his last three starts, he’s continued to post strong numbers setting himself up well for the 2025 campaign. With Alek Manoah and Ricky Tiedemann on the shelf with Tommy John Surgery, and there being some uncertainty in next years rotation, Francis has set himself up well to be a contributor there next season.
But on Tuesday, he’ll look to cap off his 2024 season strong against the Boston Red Sox, taking the mound opposite Brayan Bello.
First pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST.
TV & Radio: Sportsnet, SN590, TVA Sports.
Odds via Bet365:
Moneyline: TOR -125; BOS +105.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +165; BOS +1.5 -200.
Over/Under: o7.5 -120; u7.5 +100.
Spread: TOR -1.5 +165; BOS +1.5 -200.
Over/Under: o7.5 -120; u7.5 +100.
*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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowden Francis | TOR | 12 | 8 | 5 | 98.2 | 3.47 | 3.57 | 87 | 4.47 | 0.93 | 8.03 | 1.92 |
Brayan Bello | BOS | 29 | 14 | 8 | 158.1 | 4.49 | 4.47 | 105 | 4.23 | 1.37 | 8.47 | 3.52 |
Lineups:
BLUE JAYS:
- TBA
RED SOX:
- TBA
Need to bide the time until first pitch?
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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.
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