Game #47 Preview: Price vs Jackson

The Blue Jays return home to welcome the Red Sox to Toronto to kick off a 4 game series as part of a 7 game homestand. Today’s game, thanks to the Victoria Day holiday, starts at 1:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Right hander Edwin Jackson makes his second start of the season with the Jays. His first one went about as well as you could expect, as he made it through 5 innings allowing just 3 runs (2 earned). He gave up 6 hits and walked a guy, while also allowing a home run. He also only struck out 2, causing him to rely on his defense a lot, which isn’t necessarily the best idea with this team.

Red Sox’ Starter

David Price returns to the mound for the Red Sox after missing the last 2.5 weeks on the Injured List with tendinitis in his left (throwing) elbow. Taking just 2.5 weeks off for something like that doesn’t seem like it would be enough, but he’s back out there ready to go. He didn’t require a rehab assignment, so this will be his first in-game action since May 2.

Through his first 6 starts prior to hitting the IL, Price was 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA. He has thrown 36 innings total, striking out 42, walking 10 and allowing 5 home runs. All of this brings him to a better looking FIP of 3.40. He’s no longer the Ace that he was when the Jays traded for him, nor is he the Ace the Red Sox are paying for, but he is still a very good starter, and has the ability to carve through this Jays’ lineup.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

No Vladimir Guerrero Jr. today, which sucks for the Victoria Day crowd, but he has played a lot recently. I personally would have given him the DH spot over Danny Jansen, but I’m not in charge.

Eric Sogard was a late scratch with a sore thumb, so hopefully that isn’t serious. But that at least saves us from the Richard Ureña in LF experiment for another day.

Red Sox Lineup

No J.D. Martinez in this one today, as Steve Pearce gets the start at DH. I’m very happy to watch Pearce, and even moreso happy to not watch Martinez in the lineup.

There was talk yesterday about Michael Chavis moving to the top of the lineup, but that isn’t happening today.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Ryan McMahon launched a pair of home runs, which is enough to win the Monster Bat award. That was the only winning he did yesterday though, as his Rockies lost to the Phillies 7-5.

For the second time this month, we had a 2 shutout day in the Majors. I will give Shane Bieber the Pitcher of the Day award in this one though, as his shutout included 5 hits with no walks, striking out a very impressive 15. He helped his Cleveland club to the 10-0 win over the Orioles.

The other shutout belonged to Sandy Alcantara, who allowed just 2 hits and a walk, striking out 8, and very much earning the WPA King award. He led all position players in that game with a .079 WPA, but more importantly got .516 WPA from holding the Mets to a bunch of zeroes. The 3-0 win gave the last place Marlins the three game sweep.

Find the Link

Find the link between Price and Dansby Swanson.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs