Arizona Diamondbacks vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions July 13th 2024

D-backs Strive to Continue Climb vs. Blue Jays

Overview

The Arizona Diamondbacks will show up at the ballpark Saturday with a triumphant record interestingly since April 3. Arizona revitalized to deliver a 5-4 triumph in the opener of a three-game series Friday night in Phoenix. Alek Thomas stroked a two-run tying single in the eighth, and Geraldo Perdomo’s fielder’s choice in the 10th plated Corbin Carroll with the triumphant count.

Ongoing Execution

The Diamondbacks had been one out away from moving over the .500 imprint on Monday prior to losing to the Atlanta Braves in additional innings. This time, it was them taking away a triumph with late-game heroics while winning for the 10th time in the beyond 13 games.

“How about we perceive how way out before .500 we can get,” said Arizona right-hander Ryne Nelson, who permitted three runs in seven innings on Friday. “I think this group – – we can get on a roll and begin playing all around well.”

The Diamondbacks sit only one game out of the National League wild card.

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is 4-3 on a nine-game Western road swing with two games left before the All-Star break. Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho played in Phoenix for the first time since the Diamondbacks traded him to the Blue Jays for outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and catcher Gabriel Moreno after the 2022 season.

Varsho endured some rough moments last fall as Arizona made a run to the World Series with Gurriel and Moreno often praised as key cogs in the Diamondbacks’ success. He says he is no longer applying pressure on himself to prove the Blue Jays made a good deal.

“I did that a lot last year,” said Varsho, who has 11 homers and 37 RBIs despite a .197 batting average. “This year’s been a little different. I’m trying to get back to who I am. Knowing that I’m Daulton, and Daulton’s good enough.”

Varsho was in the lineup after missing one game due to a left knee contusion. He went 1-for-4 with a triple and a run on Friday. Moreno went 0-for-4 with a walk while Gurriel sat out with left shoulder soreness.

The Blue Jays also had center fielder Kevin Kiermaier in Friday’s lineup after he cleared waivers. The four-time Gold Glover went 0-for-3 with an RBI. Kiermaier said prior to the game that he had mixed feelings about being placed on waivers.

“These things happen and it’s because my play has not been where it needs to be,” said Kiermaier, who is batting just .188. “I totally understand that. It’s just a weird situation overall.”

Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (right calf strain) has missed the past two games and is unlikely to play Saturday.

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Jose Berrios (8-6, 3.76 ERA) will take the mound Saturday for Toronto. Berrios received a no-decision on Sunday when he struck out a season-best 10 in six innings against the Seattle Mariners. He gave up four runs and seven hits. The 30-year-old Berrios has won three of his past four decisions. Berrios has served up 10 homers over his past six outings and 21 on the season. He is 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA in two career starts versus the Diamondbacks.

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Arizona youngster right-hander Yilber Diaz (0-0, 1.50) will make his second major league start. Diaz was in line for a triumph subsequent to holding the Atlanta Braves to one run and four hits north of six innings on Monday. The Diamondbacks were driving 3-1 with two outs in the 10th inning before Atlanta’s Sean Murphy hit a binds two-run homer off Paul Sewald to transform Diaz’s shiny performance into a no-choice. The Braves won 5-4 out of 11 innings.

Conclusion

The Diamondbacks hope to proceed with their new achievement and further cement their situation in the standings as they face the Blue Jays on Saturday. With a solid presentation from their youngster pitcher Yilber Diaz, and an empowered setup, Arizona is ready to make a critical push forward. The Blue Jays, in the mean time, will depend on their laid out pro, Jose Berrios, to attempt to end Arizona’s force and refocus before the All-Star break.