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| Nathan Lukes drove in a run in a 3-2 loss to the Astros |
After another late game come back, the Blue Jays were looking to extend the win streak to 2 games and notch their 26th series win of the season. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. The rest of the lineup was the same as yesterday's win. Could the Blue Jays make it 2 straight wins and notch their 26th series win of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Astros opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Yainer Diaz doubled scoring Jesus Sanchez
- The Astros added a run in the top of the 6th as Carlos Correa whacked a solo blast to left and into the Blue Jays bullpen. It was the 200th career HR for Correa
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 5.1IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 81 pitches (51 for strikes)
- Jason Alexander pitching line: 7IP 3H 0R 1BB 3K 89 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Andres Gimenez singled scoring IKF
- Two batters later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring Myles Straw
- The Astros retook the lead in the top of the 9th as Diaz belted a solo jack to left-center
- Bryan Abreu pitched a perfect 9th for his 5th save of the season
- Final score: Astros 3 Blue Jaays 2
My Take:
- Jose Berrios rebounded and fired 5.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. Berrios could be the odd man out of the playoff rotation. Certainly the next few starts for all will deterimine, assuming Max Scherzer's health holds up, who is in the 4-man rotation and who will join Eric Lauer in the bullpen
- The bullpen gave up a run on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3. There has to be concern about Jeff Hoffman, who took the loss after giving up a home run right after the Blue Jays clawed back from a 2-run deficit. So many fans want Hoffman not to be the closer come playoff time and for good reason. His ERA is over 4.50 (which would be last among the teams likely making the playoffs, he has blown 7 saves (second in the MLB), and he is tied for being the reliever to give up the most home runs. At this point, I would use him in the 9th at home of a tied game. It's going to be hard to come back against some of the game's elite closers, which the Blue Jays would be facing in the playoffs.
- Offensively, the team didn't do much through 7 innings, managing just 3 hits and a walk off the Astros starter Jason Alexander. It was good to see them put together a 2-run rally in the 8th thanks to RBI singles off the bats of Andres Gimenez and Nathan Lukes. However, the soon-to-be highest paid Blue Jay Vlad grounded out to kill the rally. The scrutiny on the Blue Jays star, especially when he fails to deliver in these important game situations, will only get stronger when his half a billion deal kicks in next year, and if his best buddy Bo Bichette leaves in free agency.
- Standings wise, the Blue Jays squandered a chance to gain a game on the Yankees and Red Sox, who both have easier schedules the rest of the way. With the flaws in the bullpen, the Blue Jays will want to avoid a best-of-3 wild card series, a format that has not been kind to the Blue Jays, who have not won a single game since that format came into play back in 2022.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to notch their 26th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman starts against Astros righty Javier Cristian.
