| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a 3-tun HR to lead the Blue Jays to a 3-0 shutout win over the Red Sox |
After being swept and downright dominated by the Texas Rangers, the Blue Jays were looking to turn things around and snap the 4-game skid as they open a crucial weekend series against the Red Sox, who have won 7 of the 10 games in the season series thus far (all three series have resulted in series sweeps) outscoring the Blue Jays 57-54. Bowden Francis was optioned to AAA-ball and Nate Pearson was recalled from AAA-ball. Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Davis Schneider served as DH tonight). Daulton Varsho was in LF. Cavan Biggio got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 4-game skid and start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 3rd as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. whacked a 3-run blast to left-center; also scoring Daulton Varsho and Bo Bichette
- Brayan Bello pitching line: 6IP 4H 3R (all earned) 1BB 10K 101 pitches (63 for strikes)
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 7IP 5H 0R 0BB 8K 90 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Jordan Romano threw a perfect 9th for his 35th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 3 Red Sox 0
My Take:
- Jose Berrios threw 7 excellent shutout innings, scattering 5 hits, walking none and striking out 8. After allowing a 1 out double in the 3rd inning, Berrios retired 10 straight. He probably could have at least started the 8th inning to really save the bullpen, but both Jordans (Hicks and Romano) had not pitched in several days with the last 4 games being blowout losses.
- Rest can be a good thing sometimes and it showed tonight with Hicks and Romano looking sharp. Both relievers pitched perfect innings and combined to strike out 3.
- Offensively, Vlad hit a 3-run HR and that was about it with the bats slumping at the wrong time. Even Davis Schneider has looked human. Regardless if the Blue Jays somehow make the the playoffs, They need a new hitting coach at the very least. Yes, the Blue Jays lost some offence when they traded Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez in the off-season, but they should still be a better team offensively. Really, only Bo Bichette has lived up to expectations. Vlad has not been himself since 2021 when he played a good chunk of games in minor league ballparks. Matt Chapman had a hot start to the season, but has been pretty invincible since mid-May. Neither Danny Jansen nor Alejandro Kirk have been able to replicate their 2022 seasons..
- In terms of the WC race, the Astros were losing to the Royals in the 9th inning, Texas lost big to the Guardians and the Mariners were leading in the bottom of the 4th. For the moment, the Blue Jays are a game back of the Mariners for the last WC spot, but if the Mariners win, the Blue Jays would be 1.5 games back of the Mariners and 2 games back of the Rangers for the 2nd WC spot. Houston remains a game ahead of the Rangers for the AL West division title.
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for their 2nd straight win and 28th series win of the season. Chris Bassitt starts against Red Sox lefty Chris Sale.
