Game #80 Preview: Estrada vs Keuchel

The Blue Jays wrap up their 7 game AL West road trip this afternoon, looking to have a winning road trip and take the series from the Astros. Today’s game gets underway at 2:10 ET this afternoon, so don’t forget it’s early.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Righty Marco Estrada is looking to build on what has become an amazing month of June. Through 4 starts, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league over his 25.2 innings. He’s 2-1 with a 1.75 ERA, striking out 26 against just 5 walks. He has allowed only 6 extra base hits, 4 doubles and 2 home runs, and has held hitters to a .224 wOBA.

It has been a treat watching Estrada pitch his last few times out, showing us how great he can be when he’s on. And it wasn’t against scrub teams either - Yankees, Orioles, Nationals and Angels. If he can have a good game against the Astros today, I think it would become undeniable that he is one of the best arms available prior to this year’s trade deadline.

Astros’ Starter

The 2015 AL Cy Young award winner, Dallas Keuchel, gets the start for the Astros. Keuchel has been the worst starter for the Astros this year, but that means absolutely nothing bad. Through 16 games, he’s 4-8 with a 3.90 ERA and a matching 3.92 FIP, which gives him a 96 ERA- and 98 FIP-. Screw you Astros for having so many great pitchers.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

With the lefty Keuchel on the mound, Granderson will be on the bench. I have a sneaking suspicion that Steve Pearce will be in the outfield, but I really hope not with Estrada on the mound.

Today might be the day to give Aledmys Diaz the day off from second base. He has played every single game since coming back from injury 3.5 weeks ago. Unfortunately, with the DFA of Gio Urshela (whose 40 man spot will go to Thomas Pannone after today’s game), that means Russell Martin on the infield. I’m not looking forward to that.

Astros’ Lineup

After getting the start in CF against the two lefties, Jake Marisnick is probably on the bench in this one.

Josh Reddick and Brian McCann were on the bench against Happ, but did make the start against Borucki. I would imagine their lefty bats will be in there against Estrada today.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Matt Carpenter went 5-5 with a pair of homers and a double, driving in 3 and scoring 5 times to earn the Monster Bat award as his Cardinals walloped Cleveland 11-2.

Javier Baez hit a game tying home run in the 5th and put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the 6th, earning a total of .517 WPA and the title of WPA King. The Cubs beat the Dodgers 9-4.

Freddy Peralta pitched 7 shutout innings to earn the Pitcher of the Day award. He allowed just 1 hit and surrendered just 1 walk while striking out 10 as the Brewers beat the Royals 5-1.

Milestone Watch

Marco Estrada is still looking for win number 37, which would bring him into a 5 way tie for 21st in franchise history at 37 wins. Marcus Stroman, Josh Towers, Shawn Marcum and Ted Lilly are the ones that he is hoping to catch.

Find the Link

Find the link between and the Dodger’s Wild Horse.