Game #106 Preview: TBD vs Borucki

After an uninspired loss last night, the Blue Jays will try to turn that around and even up their series against the Rays. Today’s game gets underway at 3:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Ryan Borucki will make his second start of the season now that he’s back from the Injured List suffering from elbow inflammation. The first start wasn’t great, but he fought his way through 4.2 innings. He allowed 4 runs, although only 2 were earned, while giving up 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out just 3. The rust was definitely evident, and I’m just happy that he was able to make it back into games this season and ramp up so he can have a normal offseason. His next step now will be throwing more quality strikes, and he’s definitely capable of that.

Rays’... Pitching Situation

This is Blake Snell’s spot in the rotation, but he’s set to undergo surgery on Monday to remove loose bodies from his elbow. So the Rays are likely to use an opener today, although who that is hasn’t been set just yet.

What I do feel pretty confident in saying is that lefty Jalen Beeks is going to be the bulk guy, perhaps even flat out making the start. Beeks made the start in his last appearance 5 days ago, getting rocked really hard by the Red Sox for 8 runs in 3.2 innings. His other 20 appearances have come in the bulk guy role, and his numbers there are much better, with his longest outing being 6.2 innings. . Through 64.2 innings total, he is 5-0 with a 2.78 ERA. He allowed just 4 home runs in that span, which is pretty remarkable, but also unsustainable number as well, which was balanced out a bit his last time out against the Red Sox when he allowed 3 more.

Beeks has faced the Jays just once this season, and pitched just 1.1 innings. He faced 7 batters, allowing 1 run on 1 hit and a pair of walks, striking out 3. He gave up an RBI single to Teoscar Hernandez in that one.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

I would expect Charlie Montoyo to set the lineup based on the expectation that Beeks is pitching, but really, there isn’t a set lineup against lefties or righties.

After getting the day off yesterday and stirring up trade expectations, expect Eric Sogard to be back in the lineup today. That was just his second off day since the All Star break, so I guess just a random off day makes sense. Watch Montoyo sit Freddy Galvis for the first time since June 8 today just to get the trade speculation pumping.

Montoyo will also likely try to shoehorn Brandon Drury into the lineup today since Beeks is likely to be the bulk guy. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hasn’t been DH for a week now, so he’s probably ticketed for that and then Drury for whatever reason can start in LF.

Rays’ Lineup

Since the Jays are going with the lefty Borucki, it’ll be a bit of a different lineup than last night. Travis d’Arnaud seems like he goes to 1B, Michael Brosseau goes out to 2B, and Guillermo Heredia goes to CF. This likely pushes Ji-Man Choi, Nathaniel Lowe and Joey Wendle to the bench, while Austin Meadows moves to the DH spot. That makes Meadows the only lefty bat that Borucki would face.

Yesterday’s Heroes

For the 4th straight day, a hitter launched 3 home runs yesterday. This time it was Mookie Betts, who also chipped in a double while driving in 5 runs, which gets him the Monster Bat award. The Red Sox beat the Yankees 10-5, and have scored double digits now in each of the first 2 games of this 4 game series. The Yankee pitchers, who have pitched 10 games in the last 9 days, are in desperate need of a break, as they have allowed 64 runs in their last 6 games. They have 2 more against the Red Sox, so hopefully we can see a lot more fireworks.

Pablo Sandoval continues to impress back in San Francisco, as he carried his team to victory once again last night. After hitting a leadoff double in a 1-1 game in the 9th inning but getting stranded, Sandoval decided to not leave it up to his teammates in the 11th, as he hit a home run, giving the Giants the 2-1 lead that they would hold on to. Sandoval’s WPA King total for the game, in just 2 PA, was .594, just enough to take down the Padres.

There were 5 different pitchers who made it through 7 innings last night, but I’ll single out Anibal Sanchez as the recipient of the Pitcher of the Day title. He didn’t allow a home run, walked just 1, and allowed 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 6. He was the only one of those 5 pitchers to not get the win though, as his bullpen fell apart and his Nationals lost to the Dodgers 4-2.

Find the Link

Find the link between Beeks and tomorrow’s scheduled starter for the Yankees.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs