Game #93 Preview: Borucki vs Porcello

After yet another loss last night, and helping the Red Sox to their 10th straight win, the Blue Jays look to turn it around tonight in game 2 of the 4 game set to close out the first half. Tonight’s game gets underway at 7:10 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

We get the pleasure of watching Ryan Borucki pitch again tonight. Through his first 3 starts, against the Astros, Tigers and Yankees, Borucki has done really well. He has thrown a total of 20 innings (6, 7, 7), allowing just 5 runs on 19 hits, striking out 16 and walking 6. He hasn’t allowed his first career home run yet, but it is coming. I am happy that he’s doing well and giving us all something exciting in likely another lost year for the team.

Red Sox Starter

The Sox counter with 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello. And after a rough 2017, 2018 Porcello is much closer to duplicating his Cy Young self than the 2017 version. Through his first 19 starts, Porcello is 11-3 with a 3.58 ERA. He is getting strikeouts at a career high rate, nearly one per inning (8.62 per 9 innings). He is doing his typical good job at limiting free passes as well, allowing just 2.06 per 9 innings, just barely above his career mark of 2.05.

He has faced Toronto twice so far this season. In total he has thrown 13.2 innings, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits, 5 walks and 14 strikeouts. The Blue Jays won the first game on a walk-off home run from Curtis Granderson in the 10th inning. The Red Sox won the second one 8-3. Justin Smoak has the only home run off Porcello in those 2 games.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

After getting the day off yesterday, Yangervis Solarte is likely to be back at 3B in this one.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Granderson back in the outfield, perhaps giving Grichuk the night off for the first time since June 24.

I would guess that today is Diaz’s turn to sit, so look for Gurriel at SS and Travis at 2B.

Luke Maile will probably catch Borucki in this one.

Red Sox Lineup

Steve Pearce went for x-rays after getting hit in the shin yesterday, but they came back negative and he is day to day. There is a good chance he is back in there today against the left handed Borucki.

Otherwise it’ll be business as usual for the best offense in the game.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Albert Pujols turned back the clock last night, going 3-4 with a walk and a single, as well as career home runs 629 and 630 which pulled him into a tie with Ken Griffey Jr. for 6th all-time. His Monster Bat performance helped the Angels to the 11-2 win over the Mariners.

Kyle Gibson of the Twins threw 8 strong innings in the Twins 5-1 win over the Rays. He allowed 1 run on 5 hits, striking out 9 and allowing 0 walks en route to his Pitcher of the Day victory. His efforts also contributed .370 WPA towards his team’s win, and Gibson is also our WPA King on a not so clutch day around the Majors.

Milestone Watch

Aaron Loup is 4 relief appearances short of Paul Quantrill for 5th in all-time Blue Jays relief appearances.

Find the Link

Find the link between Porcello and Twins’ first round pick the first year they won the World Series.