Game #52 Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) v. Toronto Blue Jays (24-27)

 

Game #51 - Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) @ Toronto Blue Jays (24-27) - game recap

 

Ace Kevin Gausman threw 6.2 strong innings in a 6-2 comeback win over the Pirates

After eking out win yesterday thanks to some fine work from the bullpen to escape NY with a series split, the Blue Jays opened a week long home stand against the Pirates, who won the seson series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays with both teams scoring 10 runs. Ace Kevin Gausman got the start with Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Yohendrick Pinago was in LF and Jesus Sa nchez was in RF. Andres Gimenez was back at SS with Ernie Clement getting the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 3 games? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the 1st on a sac fly by Spencer Horwitz that scored Brandon Lowe
• The Blue Jays tied it in the bottom of the 3rd on a throwing error by Horwitz on a fielder's choice hit by Daulton Varsho that scored George Springer
• Two batters later, Yohendrick Pinago doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Varsho
• Bubba Chandler pitching line: 5IP 2H 3R (1 earned) 2BB 11K 99 pitches (63 for strikes)
• Kevin Gausman pitching line: 6.2IP 6H 1R (earned) 1BB 8K 94 pitches (65 for strikes)
• The Pirates got one back in the top of the 8th on a ground out hit by Bryan Reynolds that scored Lowe
• The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning as Jesus Sanchez doubled scoring Ernie Clement\
• Three batters later, Myles Straw and Brandon Valenzuela scored on a ground-rule double by George Springer
• Louis Varland pithed 2 perfect innings for his 7th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 6 Pirates 2

My Take:

• Kevin Gausman fired 6.2 strong shutout innings. This was vintage Kevin Gausman. The veteran ace racked up thr strikes while also needing an efficient 94 pitches to get 20 outs. He'll be relied on to go deep in games with the Blue Jays expected to be extremely cautious with Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber. Max Scherzer also can't be relied on to go deep in games either due to age and injury.
• The bullpen gave up a run on a hit while walking 1 and striking out 3. Louis Varland did a fantastic job bailing out Mason Fluharty.
• The offense had a good night. George Springer drove in a pair on a ground rule double and Yohendrick Pinago drove in a pair. There's no way Pinago should be optioned over Davis Schneider
• The Pirates were 0-2 on ABS challnges and Brandon Valenzuela was 1-1 on ABS challenges
• The Blue Jays were 3-14 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to extend the winning streak to 4 games and to notch their 7th series win of the season. Patrick Corbin starts against Pirates ace and righty Paul Skenes

Game #51 Pittsburgh Pirates (26-24) v. Toronto Blue Jays (23-27)

 

Game #50 - Toronto Blue Jays (23-27) @ New York Yankees (30-21) - game recap

 

George Springer hit a solo home run in a 2-0 shutout win over the Yankees

After eking out a win yesterday thanks to some small ball in the 7th and an excellent start from Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 2 straight wins and earn the series split. It was bullpen day with Brayden Fisher as the opener and Brandon Valenzuela behind the plate. Davis Schneider was in LF and Myles Straw was in RF. Ernie Clement was at SS with Lenyn Sosa getting the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and earn the series split?  Here is tonight's game recap. 

Game Highlights:

• The Blue jays took the lead in the top of the 1st as Daulton Varsho doubled scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr 
• Brayden Fisher pitching line: 1.1IP 0H 0R 1BB 4K 23 pitches (15 for strikes)
• Carlos Rodon pitching line: 5IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 7K 94 pitches (59 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 7th as George Springer smacked a solo blast to left
• Jeff Hoffman pitched a perfect 9th for his 4th save of the season
• Final score: Blue Jays 2 Yankees 0

My Take:

• Brayden Fisher did his job, allowing a walk and striking out the other 4 batters he faced.  The Blue jays will have to go through this process another 2-3 times with Shane Bieber nearing the start of a rehab assignment, although the Blue jays will certainly be careful using him given he will have missed the first two months of the season and was coming off Tommy John surgery last season. Max Scherzer hasn't been great but maybe his effectiveness is better healthy. Either way, these bullpen games should end soon
• There were some fine performances from the bullpen. Spencer Miles fired 4.1 innings, holding a dangerous Yankees lineup to 2 hits and a walk while striking out 6. Jeff Hoffman retired the side in order in his first savve opportunity in a month on just 12 pitches and rookie Adam Macko hasn't looked out of place in the bigs and struck out Ben Rice to end his day.
• If there's any Blue Jays player that needed a big hit it is George Springer. After turning back the clock last season, Springer has been unable to replicate his work in 2025. No question the broken toe he's been playing through has impacted him at the plate. He went deep in the 7th to give the Blue Jays a huge insurace run. Vlad should move back to his familiar 3rd spot in the batting order.
• Both catchers (Valenzuela and Yankees backsop JC Escarra successfully overturned their teams only ABS challenge.
• The Blue Jays were 1-10 with runners in scoring position
• Up next, the Blue Jays open a home stand against the Pirates, who won the seson series last year, outscoring the Blue Jays with both teams scoring 10 runs. Ace Kevin Gausman starts against Pirates righty Bubba Chandler

Game #50 Toronto Blue Jays (22-27) @ New York Yankees (30-20)