Game #7 Preview

After a commanding 14-5 win last night, the Blue Jays are back at it tonight going for the 3 game sweep against the White Sox. First pitch is at 7:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Aaron Sanchez makes his second start of the season. His first one didn’t go overly well, throwing 5.2 innings while allowing 4 runs on 8 hits with 4 walks and only 2 strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches, and that was really the biggest success of the night, as Sanchez was able to get back on the mound and move past all of the blister troubles that plagued his season last year. I predict only 13 more starts before people stop mentioning blisters.

Blisters. Blisters blisters blisters.

White Sox Starter

Carson Fulmer is making his 6th career start tonight. A former top 100 prospect, Fulmer has since seen that shine fade as he has reached the Majors, putting up a 5.40 ERA/5.78 FIP/5.86 xFIP in 35 big league innings. These struggles also showed up in AAA last year, where he pitched to a 5.79 ERA in 126 innings. Brett Ballantini of South Side Sox says that Fulmer has had a very difficult time facing hitters a second time through the order.

He is likely ticketed for the bullpen eventually, but a rebuilding club like the White Sox can afford to see if he’ll ever put it together. If he does, it likely means that he has found control of his fastball/cutter/sinker/change/curveball repertoire.

Blue Jays Lineup

The Jays bats had a good game yesterday, putting up 6 runs against Miguel Gonzalez in the first 4 innings. That changed to a great night once the 8th inning rolled around, as they hung a 7 spot on the board against a couple struggling relievers.

It was great to see the Jays’ hitters all have some success, as guys like Gift Ngoepe and Luke Maile, on the team entirely for their excellent defense, each got in on the fun. Maile especially had a good game, lacing a pair of doubles.

Aledmys Diaz had a great start to the game, going 3-3 with a home run and double, but left the game with back spasms. If he isn’t able to go tonight, we might see Yangervis Solarte make his first start of the season at SS, as Donaldson’s shoulder seems good and is likely back at 3B again, while Devon Travis is back from his scheduled day off. But considering Aaron Sanchez is on the mound, the Jays might opt for the strong defense and give Ngoepe the start.

Russell Martin should be back behind the plate as well.

White Sox Lineup

They hit 3 more home runs last night and are tied with the Nationals for the most in baseball thus far, despite playing only 4 games. This has led to a combined 167 wRC+, easily the best mark in baseball.

Avisail Garcia launched a 481 ft home run off the facing of the hotel last night. It was a long and majestic home run, worthy of a video:

Yesterday’s Heroes

Christian Villanueva of the Padres had a monster game yesterday, going 4-4 with 3 home runs and 4 RBI as the Padres doubled up the Rockies 8-4. As a co-winner of the Monster Game Award (can we can get sponsorship for this?), Didi Gregorius also went 4-4, hitting 2 home runs and a double while driving in 8 as the Yankees exploded against the Rays bullpen, eventually winning 11-4 (also in this game, Giancarlo Stanton went 0-5 with 5 strikeouts).

The WPA King of last night was Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich, who hit a 2 out game tying home run in the 9th inning off old friend Dominic Leone, which was immediately followed by a walkoff shot by Ryan Braun leading the Brewers over the Cardinals 5-4. Yelich’s blast helped give him a .595 WPA on the day.

The pitcher of the day was Jacob Junis of the Kansas City Royals, who threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk to go along with 6 strikeouts as the Royals edged out a win over the Tigers 1-0.

Milestone Watch

Roberto Osuna was warm and ready to save a 6-4 game last night before the offense erupted for 7 more runs. As such, he still sits at 97 career saves, closing in on Billy Koch and career save number 100.

Steve Pearce is still 4 hits away from 500 on his career.

Aaron Sanchez is 15 batters faced away from 1500 in his career, hopefully a fraction of what he ultimately gets to.

Find the Link

Find the link between today’s White Sox starter and The Machine.