The Toronto Blue Jays continue to find ways to win, and yesterday, the club secured its third consecutive series win, coming from behind to beat the Twins 5-4. Now, the club is going for their second series sweep in its past three matchups later this afternoon at Target Field.

Bowden Francis will be taking the ball for the Blue Jays, and the right-hander is looking to get back on track after some ebbs and flows to start the 2025 season.

Francis started the year strong but fell on hard times to end April and has struggled to find consistency in the rotation. He was strong against Texas on May 27th, going five innings while allowing just five hits with zero earned runs against, but struggled against the Phillies in his last outing, allowing seven hits, two home runs, and six earned runs through 1 2/3 innings. He owns a 5.87 ERA and a 6.47 FIP through 12 starts and 57 innings and leads the league in home runs allowed (17) while authoring a 10.3 H/9 and a 2.7 H9/9. His command has also taken a step back, with a 3.0 BB/9, a 1.474 WHIP, and a 71 ERA+.

The Florida product has one appearance against the Twins in his early career, a relief appearance in 2023 where he went 2 2/3 innings and allowed two hits and one run (home run) with three strikeouts.

For the Twins, they will be sending right-hander Joe Ryan to avoid the sweep from their AL East rival.

Ryan has been one of the Twins’ best pitchers, amassing a 2.91 ERA and a 3.48 FIP through 12 outings (11 starts) through 68 innings. He’s pitched to an impressive 0.897 WHIP and a 10.1 K/9 to start the year and has kept his command tight (1.6 BB/9) while limiting opponents to a .624 OPS and a .199 average. Ironically, while he does have a strong walk rate, he leads the league by hitting nine batters.

Working with a five-pitch mix, Ryan uses his four-seam fastball over 55% of the time and has dominated with the pitch, collecting a .187 xBA on the offering with a +11 run value. He complements this with his split-finger, slider, sweeper, and sinker to keep hitters off balance. Minnesota has won the past five games where Ryan has appeared, and they needed him in relief against Cleveland on May 19th, going five innings.

Lineup-wise, the Jays will have Alejandro Kirk behind the plate and have moved Addison Barger back to third base. Andres Gimenez gets the day off while Ernie Clement takes over at second base. Alan Roden gets the nod in left field, and Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes will round out the outfield in centre field and right field, respectively.

Location: Target Field – Minneapolis, Minnesota

First Pitch: 2:10 pm EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Bowden Francis: 2-7 record, 5.84 ERA, 57 IP, 48 SO, 19 BB

Minnesota Twins – Joe Ryan: 6-2 record, 2.91 ERA, 68 IP, 76 SO, 12 BB