GDB 79.0: Yusei Kikuchi takes the mound for rubber match with A’s

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
By Zach Laing
Jun 25, 2023, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 25, 2023, 13:38 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays look to close out a three-game set with the Oakland Athletics on a high note after the series started on anything but.
Friday night, the Jays dropped a frustrating game to the A’s as Shea Langerlies blasted a go-ahead run in the top of the ninth and Toronto couldn’t get it back in the bottom. Saturday, however, is more of what you’d expect against a team like Oakland jumping out to an early lead and never looking back.
The Yusei Kikuchi revenge tour continues today as he gets a look at the A’s. Oakland, meanwhile, will send Luis Media to the mound for the rubber match.
First pitch: 4:07 p.m. EST
Toronto Blue Jays: 42-36, 10.0 GB, 0.0 WCGB, +12 DIFF.
Oakland Athletics: 20-59, 28.5 GB, 22.5 WCGB, -213 DIFF.
Moneyline: TOR -278; OAK +225.
Starting pitchers:
TOR: Yusei Kikuchi – 6-2, 77 IP, 3.97 ERA, 5.41 FIP, 1.286 WHIP, 9.0 SO/9, 2.7 BB/9
OAK: Luis Medina – 1-6, 43 2/3 IP, 7.01 ERA, 5.47 FIP, 1.557 WHIP, 8.5 SO/9, 3.9 BB/9
Lineups:
TOR: George Springer DH, Whit Merrifield LF, Bo Bichette SS, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B, Matt Chapman 3B, Cavan Biggio RF, Santiago Espinal 2B, Kevin Kiermaier CF, Tyler Heineman C.
OAK: Esteury Ruiz CF, Carlos Perez 1B, Brent Rooker RF, Aledmys Diaz SS, Jace Peterson 2B, Shea Langliers C, JJ Bleday DH, Jonah Bride 3B, Tony Kemp 3B.
Need to bide the time until first pitch?
Tune into the latest edition of Blue Jays Nation Radio as the crew talks about the Jays’ latest series against the Miami Marlins.
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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