Game #40 Preview: Ray vs Triggs

The Blue Jays look to wrap up their 5 game series with the Red Sox, with the series victory on the line. Today’s game is finally an earlier one, set to get underway at 1:35 EDT.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Trade deadline acquisition Robbie Ray will make his first start as a Blue Jay, and second appearance after pitching in a bulk guy role on Tuesday. That Tuesday game was some of the most encouraging work he has done this year, as over 3.1 innings he allowed just 1 run on 4 hits, striking out 4 and most importantly - he walked just 1 batter. That was the fewest number of walks and even walks per inning in a start, with the next closest being a 2 walk 5 inning affair against the Astros.

As you can tell, with stats like the above, Ray’s season isn’t going well. He is 1-4 after 8 appearances, with a 7.34 ERA and very similar 7.08 FIP. The walks are exceptionally high (8.39 per 9 innings), but he has also given up 10 home runs in his 34.1 innings. But the Jays are hoping he can return his 2015-2019 self, where he was a very reliable and above average pitcher.

Red Sox’ Starter

The Red Sox will go with 31 year old righty Andrew Triggs, who will be making just his 3rd appearance of the season, and just his 3rd appearance since 2018 after undergoing surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, just over a year after going for surgery on his hip. But he is healthy now, although not quite throwing as hard as he was pre-surgery, with his fastball velocity down to averaging below 89 after being closer to 90 throughout his career.

In Triggs’ first two appearances this year, he has gotten beat up a bit, but has also run into a bit of bad luck as well. In 3.1 innings total, he has allowed 6 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks, meaning that every baserunner he has allowed has come around to score. While the 2 home runs certainly help that, he also hasn’t received help from his bullpen mates, as 3 of his earned runs were bequeathed runs.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Teoscar Hernandez is off for an MRI, and things aren’t looking good for him.

Red Sox’ Lineup

Yesterday’s Heroes

Eugenio Suarez went 3-4, knocking out 3 home runs and driving in 5 runs to pick up the Monster Bat award. He helped carry his Reds to the 6-2 win over the Pirates.

The Angels swept the Astros in a double header yesterday, and did so in dramatic fashion with a walk-off 10-9 win and a 7-6 win. 4 of the top 5 players in WPA yesterday were Angels, with Mike Trout coming in 5th with a .472 mark. Justin Upton led the way with a .811 WPA over the two games, including a big game tying home run in the bottom of the 6th, and a big RBI double putting 2 runners in scoring position in the bottom of the 7th, with Upton as the winning run at second base.

German Marquez threw 7 strong innings against the Dodgers, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks, striking out 5. He earned the Pitcher of the Day award, but not the win in the Rockies’ 5-2 victory, as Blake Treinen allowed 3 Rockies’ runs in the top of the 9th.

Find the Link

Find the link between Xander Bogaerts and Hensley Meulens.