Game #76 Preview: López vs Stripling

The Blue Jays wrap up their series with the Orioles this afternoon, looking to win 3 games of the 4 game series. First pitch is set for 1:07 ET, so finish up those quick Sunday chores and settle in.

Blue Jays’ Starter

The new and improved Ross Stripling gets the ball for the Jays, and he brings his 2-4 record and 4.33 ERA into the game. If you told me at the start of the season that Stripling would have a 4.33 ERA through a dozen games, I would have been happy with that. But with the new revamped pitcher that he has been over the last month now, I look forward to Stripling starts even.

Since May 24, Stripling has arguably been the Jays’ best pitcher. Over 35.1 innings, he has a 2.29 ERA, with 36 strikeouts against 9 walks. He has allowed 4 home runs in that span - 3 solo shots and a 2-run home run. He’s running a .202 BABIP in that span as well, so there should be some expected regression in there, but if he can keep the rest of his game in control, he’ll be fine.

Orioles’ Starter

Jorge López makes the start for the Orioles, and he’s probably their best active starter right now. That’s not saying much though, as he enters play with a 2-9 record and a 5.68 ERA. Through 71.1 innings, he has 71 strikeouts against 29 walks and 14 home runs. The home run rate is high, falling in between Stripling and Robbie Ray, just outside of the top 10 in the Majors among pitchers with as many innings.

López is coming off one of his best starts of the year his last time out, and he did it against the best offense in the game. He held the Astros to 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks over 6.1 innings, striking out 6. It was the first time this year that he had thrown a pitch in the 7th inning.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Orioles’ Lineup

Yesterday’s Heroes

Joey Gallo went 2-3 with a pair of home runs and a pair of walks, driving in 5 runs to take home the Monster Bat award. He also helped his Rangers take home the win, beating the visiting Royals 8-0.

Kevin Pillar hit a game tying home run in the 7th, then loaded the bases with a single in the 9th to set up the Mets’ walkoff win, all of this getting Pillar the WPA King trophy. Pillar’s .488 WPA helped lead the Mets to the 4-3 win over the Phillies.

Kyle Gibson threw 7 shutout inning, picking up the Pitcher of the Day award while allowing just a pair of hits and a walk. He struck out 10, and earned the win in the aforementioned Rangers’ win over the Royals.

Find the Link

Find the link between Jorge López and Sugar Ray Marimon.

Stats retrieved from Fangraphs and Baseball Savant