Just as it looked like the Jays were finding their rhythm, George Springer went on the 10 day DL, and Toronto went 1-4 over their 5 games last week. Though they’re not out of the hunt yet, they need to keep pace with the rest of the teams in the race. This week they had 3 games against Detroit, before a 4 game series with the Chicago White Sox.
Game 1: Jays 1 – 4 Tigres (10 innings)
The series opener was a battle between two lefty starting pitchers. Tyler Alexander was on the bump for Detroit and went a solid 7 innings, only surrendering 1 run on a HR he gave up to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Robbi Ray was pitching for Toronto and outdid Alexander’s performance. Ray went 8 innings, striking out 11 Tigers in the process. Ray’s only earned run allowed came on a wild pitch with 2 outs in the 7th. The Jays couldn’t capitalize on their starters great outing, as this one needed extra innings, and extra innings haven’t been too kind to Toronto this year. 3 singles from Harold Castro, Jonathan Schoop, and Jeimer Candelario saw the Tigers take a 4-1 lead, and that’s how this one would end.
Game 2: Jays 3 – 0 Tigers
The Pitching again was great for Toronto again in game 2. Hyun Jin Ryu went 7 scoreless innings, while only allowing 5 hits, and recording 5 strikeouts. This time the Jays offense would be able to provide just enough run support for their starter. Randal Grichuk hit a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning, and Marcus Semien hit a solo shot in the 8th. Tim Mayza and Jordan Romano would shut the door to preserve the shutout.
Game 3: Jays 3 – 5 Tigers (11 innings)
The Jays took the lead in the 3rd inning, when Bo Bichette would score thanks to an error by Jeimer Candelario. The Tigers would tie the game at 1 when Miguel Cabrera hit his 500th career home run in the 6th inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr gave the Jays a late 2-1 lead, when he singled in Corey Dickerson in the 8th inning. However, the Jays couldn’t close it out as a throwing error by Marcus Semien saw the game tied and headed for extra innings again. Both teams traded runs in the 10th, before the Tigers scored 2 more runs in the 11th, and stole a game the Blue Jays really should’ve won.
Jays Series Standout:
This one will go to Robbie Ray, with the Jays offense being pretty quiet recently, it’s been up to the pitching to keep them in games. Even though they couldn’t capitalize last game, Ray’s performances have been awesome.
Game 1: Jays 2 – 1 White Sox
Another game where the Blue Jays offense weren’t to be found, but the pitching got the job done. Alek Manoah went a solid 6 innings of work, only allowing 1 run. The run he gave up came in the 6th when Andrew Vaughn singled in a run. The Jays got that run back right away in the bottom half of the 6th, with Vladdy Guerrero Jr knocked in his 90th RBI of the season to make it 1-1. The game would be decided in the bottom of the 8th inning, with a wild pitch by Craig Kimbrel that saw Breyvic Valera just slide in safely under the tag at home. Jordan Romano came in and earned his 12th save of the season.
Game 2: Jays 2 – 5 White Sox
Before the Blue Jays had their first at bat, they were already down 4-0. Jose Berrios struggled out of the gate, and only got through 3 innings. The rough 1st inning was highlighted by a Jose Abreu 3-run home run. The Jays bullpen managed to keep the Sox lineup in check the rest of the game, only giving up 1 run in 6 innings. The problem was the Jays’ offense again. Corey Dickerson hit a solo HR in the 7th, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr added an RBI single in the 9th, but it would be too little too late, and Toronto would lose game 2.
Game 3: Jays 3 – 1 White Sox
Robbie Ray was the Jays starter in game 3, and man did he come to play. Ray has been playing extremely well for the Jays recently, and this outing was the best of the bunch. Ray went 7 innings, only giving up a RBI single to Yoan Moncada in the 3rd, but Ray also struck out 14 White Sox hitters! The Jays still weren’t able to help Ray get the personal win, but they at least didn’t waste the performance this time. Corey Dickerson would tie the game in the 4th inning with an RBI triple, and in the 8th inning, an RBI single from Alejandro Kirk, and a bases loaded walk by Randal Grichuk would see the Jays take the lead for good. Romano would shut the door in the 9th for his 2nd save of the series.
Game 4: Jays 7 – 10 White Sox
The Blue Jays would have to settle for the split in this series, because Hyun Jin Ryu got roughed up early in this game. Marcus Semien would get the Jays out in front early on with a solo shot in the 1st, but it was all down hill from there. Ryu would only go 3 2/3 innings, giving up 7 runs, and got rocked for 3 home runs. In the 6th inning, the Jays were down 9-2 when their struggling offense finally showed some life. They scored 5 runs in the 6th, which was capped off by Semien’s 2nd HR of the game. It wouldn’t be enough on this day, but hopefully the offense could build from this, as it was the first time Toronto scored more than 3 runs in 6 games!
Jays Series Standout:
It’s got to Robbie Ray again. He’s been lights out the last couple of starts, and the 14 K’s set a new record for a Jays’ left handed pitcher. And he currently sits 2nd in the MLB with 192 strikeouts on the year!
This week was another disappointing 3-4 week for Toronto and this slide isn’t helping their playoff aspirations. It also doesn’t help that the Yankees are currently on a 12 game win streak…Next up for Toronto is a 3 game series with Detroit again, and a 3 game series with Baltimore that they HAVE to take advantage of.
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Here is the latest episode of the Chtib and Zhang show, where the guys will be giving their NFL awards predictions.