Game #140 Preview: Font (o) vs Foltynewicz

The Blue Jays wrap up their short 2 game series against the Braves this evening. Gametime is set for 7:20 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Wilmer Font is expected to get the opening nod, 2 days after throwing 39 pitches in 2 shutout innings against the Astros. If he does make it through his customary 2 innings, I’ll be impressed. Considering “impressed” is pretty much all he has done since entering the opener role, I guess he should be up to the task. His numbers as an opener have now improved to 3 runs on 11 hits with 6 walks over 17.1 innings, with an incredible 27 strikeouts. He has seemingly found his calling here.

Following Font is expected to be T.J. Zeuch making his Major League debut in the bulk role. Zeuch just wrapped up a pretty solid run in Buffalo, where he was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 13 starts, with a very strong August. He allowed 13 runs on 29 hits and 10 walks over 38.1 innings, striking out 18, with it all capped off by his no-hitter on August 19.

Braves’ Starter

The Braves will send Mike Foltynewicz back out to the mound, making his second consecutive start against the Jays. Folty, who is in the midst of a pretty rough season that saw him get demoted for 10 starts, is 4-5 with a 5.59 ERA that the Jays helped him improve last week. He made it through just 4.2 innings, where the Jays scored 3 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits and 2 walks, striking out 3 times. They surprisingly never hit a home run off Folty, which has been his biggest flaw this year. So maybe today.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

The Jays are expected to add a few more bats to their crowded bench today, with Richard Urena, Jonathan Davis and Anthony Alford expected to join the club today. While I’m not expecting any of them to actually get many at bats, I’m hoping Alford will.

Derek Fisher hasn’t started since he hurt himself running into the wall, and may need a few more days before he’s ready. Maybe that will be the opportunity Alford needs to get some reps in, although we probably will just see Brandon Drury playing in the outfield instead.

Catcher Beau Taylor has yet to get into a game for the Jays, but he does have 16 Major League games under his belt before this September callup. But at some point I’m sure he’ll get in there.

Braves’ Lineup

Brian McCann was activated off the 10 day Injured List on September 1, returning from missing pretty much just the required time. He’ll likely be back behind the plate tonight, as he still seems like the Braves’ number 1 catcher.

Johan Camargo, who hit the pinch hit home run yesterday, has so far been the only position player called up for September. I would imagine there will be a few more today though.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Joc Pederson went 3-3 with a pair of home runs and a double, driving in 5 before having to be taken out of the game after robbing a home run and crashing into the wall pretty hard. But before that injury, he was the Monster Bat who helped carry his Dodgers to the 16-9 win over the Rockies, in a game that saw a combined 11 home runs and 11 doubles.

Tommy Pham went 3-4 with a trio of RBI, 2 on a 5th inning double, and the final one a walkoff single in the 10th to make him our WPA King. His total for the day was .628, as the Rays beat the Orioles 5-4.

Mike Minor delivered 7.1 shutout innings against the Yankees in New York, allowing just 5 hits and a walk while striking out 5 to earn the Pitcher of the Day award. The Rangers won 7-0, marking the first time the Yankees have been shut out in 220 games.

Find the Link

Find the link between Folty and Tommy DeJuneas.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs