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Blue Jays Aim to Shake Off Difficult Day in Oakland
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to move past a tough day as they gear up for an afternoon game against the Oakland Athletics on Saturday.
Friday’s Setback
The A’s took the series opener 2-1 on Friday, capitalizing on a Blue Jays team that had just flown across the country the night before and faced the loss of two key players for the season. Toronto announced that long-time Blue Jay Cavan Biggio had been designated for assignment and that star pitcher Alek Manoah would need season-ending elbow surgery.
Offensively, the Blue Jays struggled, managing only five hits against four Oakland pitchers, including starter Hogan Harris, who came into the game with a 6.40 career ERA. The game ended in a crushing manner for Toronto as Oakland’s JJ Bleday hit a walk-off home run against Chad Green on the first pitch of the ninth inning.
Manager’s Perspective
“We’ll see how we land,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said regarding the loss of Manoah. “Ideally, you’d like (the rotation) to be pretty steady and kind of keep everybody in working order in the bullpen.”
Schneider mentioned that the team would likely go with a bullpen game the next time Manoah’s spot comes up in the rotation, potentially giving prospect Yariel Rodriguez, currently with Triple-A Buffalo, an opportunity to fill that role.
Pitching Matchup
Despite the challenges, the Blue Jays will stick with their scheduled starter for Saturday, Kevin Gausman (4-4, 4.60 ERA). Gausman, who has a six-start unbeaten streak that ended with a 7-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, has experience pitching in the Bay Area from his time with the Giants. He has made seven starts against the A’s in his career, posting a 1-3 record with a 3.05 ERA.
On the other side, the A’s will send Luis Medina (0-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound. Medina impressed in his season debut against Atlanta on Sunday, allowing just one unearned run on two hits over 5 2/3 innings, with six strikeouts and two walks. Last season, Medina faced the Blue Jays twice, allowing a total of seven runs (six earned) in 9 2/3 innings.
Lineup Changes and Player Notes
On Friday, the Blue Jays used George Springer, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ernie Clement to fill in for Biggio, all of whom went 1-for-10. This year, Biggio, 29, went.200 with two home runs, a.614 on-base percentage, and nine RBIs in 44 games.
The A’s have found stability in their middle infield with the strong play of rookie shortstop Max Schuemann. Schuemann manufactured Oakland’s first run on Friday by singling to lead off the sixth inning, advancing to third on an Abraham Toro single, and scoring on a wild pitch by Chris Bassitt. Schuemann, who has started 27 of the past 28 games, improved his batting average from .125 in April to .272 in May and is currently hitting .350 in June.
“I do whatever the manager tells me to do,” Schuemann said of his versatile season, which has seen him play six different defensive positions and serve in various roles in the lineup.
Looking Ahead
As the Blue Jays mean to recuperate from their new difficulties and find their musicality, much will rely upon Gausman’s exhibition and the offense’s capacity to return quickly. Utilizing Medina’s promising start and maintaining their recent strong play will be crucial for the A’s. As both teams navigate a challenging season, Saturday’s game looks like a crucial test.
