Game #64 Preview: Gausman vs Sanchez

The Blue Jays have won 2 in a row for the first time since 1993, and today they look to take the series against the Orioles. The game starts at 1:07 ET, so you better read this pretty quick.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Aaron Sanchez is coming off a great start his last time out. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits over 6 innings against the Tigers. He struck out 7, but still walked 3, which has been a big struggle for him this year. To say that his 3 walks over 6 innings brought his season walk rate down goes to show just how bad he has struggled with that aspect of his game.

But if he’s able to induce a bunch of soft contact, the walks become a little less troublesome.

Orioles’ Starter

Kevin Gausman takes the ball for the Orioles, and he’s off to a pretty alright start to his season. Through his first 12 games, he has gone 3-5 with a 4.63 ERA over 70 innings. He is walking opponents at a career low level (2.19 per 9 innings), about half a walk per 9 below his career average. He’s striking out nearly a batter an inning as well (8.74 per 9), but is giving up a lot of hits and home runs, sitting near the top of the league in both of those categories.

Gausman faced the Jays back on April 11, where he allowed 3 runs on 6 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 7 in that start, while Aledmys Diaz took him deep with 2 outs in the 6th. The Orioles ended up winning that game 5-3.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Devon Travis is dealing with an achy knee, supposedly from his run in with Pillar last night. I didn’t think they touched each other, so maybe he twisted it? It’s probably nothing, but it’s also Travis, so there’s a good chance it’s more than nothing.

Speaking of Pillar, Canadian Tire combined two of my favourite things - Kevin, and Dad Jokes.

It has nothing to do with today’s game, but I don’t care.

Otherwise, Granderson is getting the day off against a righty. I don’t know how I feel about that, but at least Grichuk has been doing well. I’d still rather Grandy be in there over Morales though. Solarte gets to step into the leadoff spot, because why not I guess.

And Luke Maile (#DeliverTheMaile) is starting behind the plate.

Orioles’ Lineup

Apparently Baltimore can’t put together a lineup. What’re you gonna do now, Buck?

Could someone throw it in the comments whenever Showalter sets it free please?

Yesterday’s Heroes

Five different players hit 2 home runs last night, but only Paul Goldschmidt added another hit, a double, and as such he gets the Monster Bat award. His 3 hits helped the Diamondbacks take down the Rockies in Colorado by a score of 9-4.

Jesse Winker of the Reds and Brett Gardner of the Yankees are co-winners of the WPA King award. Winker drove in the tying run to push the game into extras, but the Reds still lost to the Cardinals 7-6 in 10 innings, so that’s a point against him. Gardner helped the Yankees win 4-1 over the Mets (so that’s a point against him), by hitting a go ahead 2 run home run in the top of the 8th, and he had a big walk earlier that pushed the tying run to 3B. Both of them contributed .534 WPA to their team’s efforts.

Trevor Bauer and Chris Sale both went 8 innings, allowing 1 run for their teams yesterday. Sale’s Red Sox still lost 1-0 to the White ones though. Trevor Bauer helped Cleveland beat the Tigers 4-1, but we’ll still name both of them co-winners of the Pitcher of the Day Award.

Milestone Watch

John Axford has 499.1 career innings, closing in on the 500 mark.

Aaron Loup’s next appearance will give him sole possession of 8th place as Blue Jay, at which point he’ll begin his pursuit of Jim Clancy and 7th place, of which he is 5 back right now.

Find the Link

Find the link between Gausman and the great Roy Halladay.