Blue’ Jays bats back in business vs. Rangers?
With offensive numbers on the rise, it’s hard to fathom the continued struggles of the Blue Jays’ abundance of big boppers. Perhaps a major outburst from a member of the supporting cast, though, is just the right tonic.
Toronto aims to build on Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Texas in the third of a four-game set this evening, with a 7:07 p.m. ET first pitch at Rogers Centre. Handicappers at online sports book Bovada.lv lean toward the host club as a 1.5-run favorite. Jeff Banister’s group enters as a +165 underdog.
While the Blue Jays’ higher-profile names labor, Justin Smoak took matters into his own hands last night. The first baseman’s leadoff homer in the ninth snapped the squad’s 14-inning scoreless streak. His most substantial contribution, however, occurred one frame later. Smoak drove a Phil Klein delivery into the left-field seats for the walk-off win.
Can his teammates follow suit against a hurler whose difficulties up north are well-documented? The Rangers’ Colby Lewis is 3-6 with a 7.13 ERA in 10 starts vs. Toronto. He last faced John Gibbons’ outfit in the 2015 ALDS, giving up one run in three innings of relief.
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For the Blue Jays, Aaron Sanchez (2-1, 2.59) takes the bump. The righty twirled seven scoreless frames to beat Tampa Bay on Friday. Sanchez made six appearances out of the bullpen against Texas a year ago, going 1-0 with a spotless ERA.
Aside from Smoak and Kevin Pillar (.393 batting average since April 25), there’s not much reason to get stoked about Toronto’s lumber at present. Still, the likes of Jose Bautista (.219) and Troy Tulowitzki (.167) won’t keep floundering indefinitely. Lewis’ arrival in Canada presents the perfect opportunity to revert to form.
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