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Inconsistent Blue Jays Aim for Familiar Success vs. Guardians
After an impressive series victory against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians, the Toronto Blue Jays have hit another rut.
Perhaps another weekend set with the Guardians, which starts Friday night in Cleveland, will end Toronto’s latest woes.
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Blue Jays’ Rollercoaster Season
It’s been a frustrating campaign for the Blue Jays, who are four games under .500, have dealt with various injuries, and continue to struggle at the plate—batting .233 and slugging just .365. Toronto, though, scored 12 runs to win the final two of last weekend’s three-game home set with the Guardians.
However, the Blue Jays managed just three runs in each loss as they were swept in a three-game series by the visiting Boston Red Sox earlier this week. It marked the first time Toronto was swept this season, one that has seen the Blue Jays endure five losing streaks of at least three games.
“It seems like we’re kind of stuck on neutral there when we get close,”
John Schneider
Guerrero’s Inconsistency
Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had four hits across the last two games versus Cleveland but went 2-for-13 against Boston. Guerrero had a hit last Saturday against Carlos Carrasco, who will start Friday’s game for the Guardians.
Carrasco on the Mound
After taking the loss in Cleveland’s 5-0 defeat in Toronto on Saturday, Carrasco (2-6, 5.80 ERA) hopes to perform better against the Blue Jays. The veteran right-hander permitted each of the five sudden spikes in demand for six hits more than five innings. He tumbled to 0-2 with a 7.90 Time in three beginnings since falling off a short harmed list stretch with neck fits. He is 4-2 with a 5.06 Time in 10 games (nine beginnings) against the Blue Jays in his profession.
“He stepped up and gave us five innings, but it definitely wasn’t the sharpest he’s been,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said of Carrasco, who also reportedly hurt his ankle but stayed in the game.
Guardians’ Recent Performance
Carrasco looks to help Cleveland record a third consecutive win after it snapped a three-game skid by taking the final two of a three-game home set with the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners this week.
Steven Kwan reached base twice and scored on Andres Gimenez’s two-run, go-ahead homer in the fifth inning of the Guardians’ 6-3 win over the Mariners on Thursday. Kwan is amid a 25-game on-base streak and has hit .500 (27-for-54) over his current 14-game hit streak after missing nearly a month with a strained hamstring. He went 8-for-13 at Toronto last weekend.
Meanwhile, teammate Will Brennan homered twice Thursday. He’s 10-for-24 with three home runs in his past six games and looks forward to another shot at the Blue Jays, this time at home, where the Guardians are 23-9.
“It’s gonna be huge,” Brennan told Bally Sports Cleveland about the series. “I think we do really well at home, and we can’t wait for the Cleveland fans to show out.”
Will Brennan
Blue Jays’ Pitching and Prospects
Though Toronto has yet to officially name a starting pitcher for Friday, it’s been reported that Yariel Rodriguez (0-1, 4.11 ERA) could be ready to return for a minor league rehab stint and make his fifth career start. The right-hander landed on the injured list April 30 with a back issue. He has never faced the Guardians.
Meanwhile, prized Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez is slated to make his anticipated major league debut at some point in this series after recording 16 homers and an .866 OPS in 63 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season.
“I’ve been working very hard,” Martinez said through a translator. “I’m here now and I’m just trying to show them what I’m capable of doing.”
Key Matchup: Blue Jays vs. Guardians
As the series opens, the Blue Jays will be looking to bounce back from their recent slump and capitalize on their previous success against the Guardians. With promising matchups and key players stepping up, this weekend set promises to be an exciting and competitive series.
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Conclusion
Both teams will be put to the ultimate test in Friday’s matchup. The Blue Jays expect to recapture their energy and move out of their ongoing groove, while the Guardians hope to expand on their new triumphs and keep up with areas of strength for them execution. With energizing possibilities and central members in real life, fans can anticipate an exhilarating series opener.
