Game #107 Preview: Chirinos vs Sanchez

The Blue Jays will fight for the series win against the Rays this afternoon, after earning the win last night in a really fun game. Today’s game gets underway soon, starting at 1:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Aaron Sanchez will make his 23rd start of the season, and at some point you’ll have to wonder when he’s going to be fighting not only for his spot in this year’s rotation, but whether he’s worth keeping around for next season. Through 107 innings, he is 3-14 with a 6.06 ERA, although he has had some promising moments in his last few starts. His last start in particular was very promising, as he allowed just 1 run over 5 innings, while also ending his 10 straight start losing streak. But it wasn’t all sunshine in that last start either, as he fought through the last couple innings with reduced velocity and clogged base paths. But he got through it, leaving the bases loaded in the 5th.

Rays’ Starter

The Rays will go with bulk guy turned starter Yonny Chirinos. This will be Chirinos’ 16th start and 22nd appearance overall. He has an 8-5 record with a 3.29 ERA, with a bit worse 4.06 FIP. While his strikeout rates or home run suppression are nothing special, his walk rate is what helps drive his success. He has walked just 24 in 117.2 innings, a rate of 1.84 per 9 innings. That puts him in the top 10, right behind Madison Bumgarner.

The 25 year old has faced the Jays twice this year, pitching to completely different results. In the first one, he allowed 6 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 3 over 2.1 innings, surrendering a home run to Luke Maile. The second time out, he threw 5 hitless innings, walking 2 and striking out 7.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Justin Smoak is back in the lineup after missing yesterday, and also back at 1B after not starting there yet this series. Something isn’t quite right with him, which probably will scare off whatever interested suitors he may have had. The Jays just need to extend him.

Eric Sogard is in RF, because we don’t have any outfielders on the roster. But at least that means that Cavan Biggio is at 2B.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is at DH, which means Brandon Drury gets his 3rd start of the series. He probably earned it after his heroics yesterday.

Reese McGuire makes the start behind the plate, his first in the Majors in 2019.

Rays’ Lineup

Ji-Man Choi makes just his second start in the last week, as they’ve faced a lot of lefties. That’s the same situation for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe.

Avisail Garcia sits for the first time in a while, which means Guillermo Heredia gets the rare start against the righty.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Nobody hit 3 home runs yesterday to continue the streak, and as a matter of fact, only Brandon Drury and Teoscar Hernandez hit 2. We’ll give the Monster Bat to Drury, who also chipped in a pair of singles.

Keston Hiura steals the WPA King title from those two though, as he hit a game tying double in the bottom of the 8th, and a game winning home run in the bottom of the 10th. His WPA King total was .588 as the Brewers beat the Cubs 5-3.

Steven Matz threw a Maddux yesterday, shutting out the Pirates on 99 pitches. He allowed 5 hits, didn’t walk anyone and struck out 7, easily winning the Pitcher of the Day award. His Mets won 3-0.

Find the Link

Find the link between Chirinos and Rafael Devers.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs