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After an exciting win yesterday, the Blue Jays go for the series split this afternoon. The game gets underway at 1:07 ET.
Blue Jays’ Starter
Marcus Stroman takes the mound for the Jays, looking to prove that his shoulder woes from the Spring are fully behind him. After putting up a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts last year, Stroman spent the offseason working on even more fun ways to throw off the timing of hitters, trying to give him every edge that he can get.
Yankees’ Starter
Sonny Gray gets the start for the Yankees, looking to start his first full season with the Yankees better than he finished the last half of last year. After a trade deadline deal brought Gray over to New York from Oakland, he put up a 3.72 ERA/4.87 FIP/4.45 xFIP in Pinstripes, likely aided by inducing fewer ground balls than normal, which isn’t a good strategy in the AL East. If Gray can regain the form that made him a Cy Young candidate in 2015, the Yankees will have a very solid top 4 of their rotation.
Blue Jays’ Lineup
Since I’m so late in posting this preview (nearly time for a recap), the lineups are already out!
Yesterday was fun. Who's ready to do it again? https://t.co/qzCzxxiGy5 #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/BCGszGnmOg
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 1, 2018
Yankees’ Lineup
Since playing CF in Toronto seems to be a curse for the Yankees, Miguel Andujar has been called up to replace the recently called up Billy McKinney, who is headed for the DL. Andujar wil DH, while Stanton starts in LF and Gardner moves to CF. Gary Sanchez also gets the day off.
Today's Yankees lineup features Giancarlo Stanton's first game in left, and Miguel Andújar is wasting no time getting in the lineup:
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) April 1, 2018
Gardner CF
Judge RF
Stanton LF
Gregorius SS
Walker 1B
Drury 3B
Andújar DH
Wade 2B
Romine C
Gray SP
Yesterday’s Heroes
Adam Eaton went 5-5 with a homer and 2 doubles to help the Nationals down the Reds 13-7. By WPA, yesterday’s hero was Tyler Austin, who hit two game tying home runs off Marco Estrada in a losing effort. Those two home runs helped him to get to a total of 0.38 WPA on the day.
On the pitching side, Kenta Maeda threw 5 shutout innings while striking out 10, helping lead the Dodgers to victory over the Giants 5-0.
Milestone Watch
Devon Travis still needs 3 doubles to catch Manuel Lee for 6th all time for doubles for Jays’ second basemen. I’m going to have find a better milestone.
Find the Link
Find the link between today’s Yankee starter and his hulking left fielder.