The Toronto Blue Jays‘ biggest series of the season begins on Friday.
With just a three-game series lead, the Blue Jays head to The Bronx to take on the New York Yankees, the team immediately trailing the Blue Jays for the American League East standings. No matter what happens, including a Yankees three-game sweep, the Blue Jays will leave New York with the division lead thanks to a tiebreaker. That said, ideally, two of three from this series are needed.
Kevin Gausman makes the start for the Blue Jays. He had a strong outing last game, going seven innings of one-run ball. In the last month, Gausman has had a 2.81 ERA and 3.05 FIP in 32 innings pitched. For the Yankees, Cam Schlittler is expected to start, and he has a 2.61 ERA in 48.1 innings pitched.
Before the game, the Blue Jays recalled Braydon Fisher while optioning Dillon Tate. All of their relievers should be ready to go.
George Springer’s best series of the season came in late June/early July, and he’ll lead off for the Blue Jays. Addison Barger hit a clutch home run in Wednesday’s game, and he bats second. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also hit a home run that came and he is back in the three spot. The middle of their lineup is comprised of Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, and Alejandro Kirk, all three players hit at least three home runs.
Varsho enters Friday’s game on a three-game home run streak, so let’s hope that continues. The bottom of the Jays’ lineup features Nathan Lukes, Ernie Clement, and Andrés Giménez.
If the Jays find a way to win this game, they’ll move to four games ahead of the Yankees while being either three-and-a-half or four-and-a-half games above the Boston Red Sox. Simply put, the Jays need to get it done in the Bronx.
Let’s set up Friday evening’s game!
Location: 7:05 PM ET
First Pitch: The Bronx
Watch/Listen: 7:05 PM ET
Starting Pitchers
Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman: 8-10 record, 3.75 ERA, 160.2 IP, 157 SO, 43 BB
New York Yankees – Cam Schlittler: 2-2 record, 2.61 ERA, 48.1 IP, 54 SO, 20 BB
Lineups:
Blue Jays:
- George Springer – DH
- Addison Barger – RF
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
- Bo Bichette – SS
- Daulton Varsho – CF
- Alejandro Kirk – C
- Nathan Lukes – LF
- Ernie Clement – 3B
- Andrés Giménez – 2B
Yankees:
- Trent Grisham – CF
- Ben Rice – C
- Aaron Judge – RF
- Cody Bellinger – LF
- Giancarlo Stanton – DH
- Jazz Chisholm Jr. – 2B
- Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
- Ryan McMahon – 3B
- José Caballero – SS
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.