:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69503450/usa_today_16279683.5.jpg)
The Blue Jays continue their home series against the Orioles, looking to win their 6th game in a row. Tonight’s contest gets underway 7:07 ET.
Blue Jays’ Starter
Alek Manoah gets a second crack at the Orioles tonight. His last time out, he made it through just 3.1 innings, allowing 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk, striking out 6. All 4 hits were home runs, surrendering 2 to Ryan Mountcastle, 1 to Cedric Mullins and 1 to DJ Stewart. Of course, it wasn’t the home runs that prematurely ended Manoah’s night. After allowing back to back home runs, Manoah hit Maikel Franco, who took exception to it and the benches cleared. Manoah was ejected from the game, and faces a suspension that he’s “appealing” but will probably drop the case after today.
That last start really ruined Manoah’s season numbers. He is now 1-0 with a 4.18 ERA, but his FIP has ballooned to 6.11 thanks to those 4 home runs allowed, which he has now allowed 7 in 23.2 innings. Outside of the home runs, he has looked good this season, but obviously you can’t ignore the home runs, and he clearly has an area to work on.
Orioles’ Starter
Matt Harvey will go for the Orioles, making his second straight start against the Jays, and 16th overall. On the season, he is 3-9 with a 7.80 ERA, although FIP doesn’t show that he has been anywhere near that bad. Thanks to a relatively low home run and walk rate, his FIP comes out to a much more respectable 4.69, which gives him 0.7 fWAR. So he has run into a bit of bad luck. Or bad sequencing at the least.
In his start against the Jays, he made it through just 4.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks. He actually pitched quite well through the first 4 innings, scattering hits and walks, but managing to strand the bases loaded in the first, then stranding a double in the 2nd and 4th innings. But in the 5th, facing the lineup for a third time, he gave up 5 hits and a walk, and his night was over.
Blue Jays’ Lineup
George Springer had what is being called a day of rest yesterday. I believe this one, and fully expect him to be back in CF and in the 5th spot in the batting order tonight.
Reese McGuire, who once again had a multi-hit game last night, will likely catch again tonight, then take his day off tomorrow with the left Akins going for the Orioles.
Joe Panik played first base yesterday, which he thankfully didn’t get tested too hard on. Today should have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back at 1B, while one of the outfielders likely get a DH day.
Orioles’ Lineup
DJ Stewart and Stevie Wilkerson will both probably be in the lineup off the bench today. Last Saturday against Manoah, they gave Austin Hays and Pat Valaika a break, and that’s probably who they would bump to the bench again in this one.
After hitting a pair of home runs off Manoah, I’m sure Ryan Mountcastle is looking forward to this matchup again. It’ll be interesting to see how he is pitched to by Manoah in this one.
Anthony Santander was dealing with an ankle issue earlier this week, but has made a start in right field both Wednesday and yesterday. He very well could be off his feet as a DH or fully out of the lineup today.
Yesterday’s Heroes
Kyle Schwarber went 2-4 with a pair of home runs and a walk, picking up the Monster Bat award. Since June 13, Schwarber has 11 home runs in 49 PA across 11 games. He’s hot, and helping his Nationals a lot, including in last night’s 7-3 win over the Marlins.
Manuel Margot gets the WPA King award for his heroics, or moreso the Red Sox’ ineptitude. Margot had a single in the 9th inning, stole second, advanced to third on the throwing error, then subsequently scored the walkoff run on a wild pitch. His WPA on the day, thanks to that sequence of events, was .468 as the Rays beat the Red Sox 1-0.
Yesterday saw a combined no-hitter by the Cubs against the Dodgers, so today’s Pitcher of the Day is that quartet of pitchers. Zach Davies got things going with 6 innings of 5 walk, 4 strikeout work. He was followed by an inning of no strikeouts and a walk by both Ryan Tepera and Andrew Chafin. Craig Kimbrel finished it off, with a leadoff walk followed by 3 strikeouts. Combined, they walked 8 and had 7 strikeouts, but no-hits and the Cubs took home the 4-0 win.
Find the Link
Find the link between Austin Hays and the Jays’ 22nd round pick in 1984.