Jays in the House

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Game #35 Toronto Blue Jays (16-18) @ Los Angeles Angels (13-20)

Game #34 - Cleveland Guardians (20-14) @ Toronto Blue Jays (16-18) - game recap

Andres Gimenez drove in a pair of runs and scored a run in a losing effort as the Guardians hung on to edge the Blue Jays 5-4

After a late innings loss thanks to the bullpen imploding and blowing the save, the Blue Jays were looking to end the home stand with a win and notch their 5th series win of the season. Daulton Varsho was a late scratch with lower back tightness. Alan Roden was in LF and Nathank Lukes was in CF. Bowden Francis got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate.. Could the Blue Jays end the home stand with a win and notch their 5th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

The Guardians opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd on a fielder's choice hit by Steven Kwan that scored Gabriel Arias
The Guardians added a run in the top of the 4th as Daniel Schneemann doubled scoring Kyle Manzardo
A batter later, Arias singled home Schneemann and Carlos Santana
The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Natha Lukes doubled scoring Addison Barger
A batter later Andres Gimenez singled scoring Alan Roden and Lukes
Bowden Francis pitching line: 4.1IP 6H 4R (all earned) 1BB 2K 79 pitches (47 for strikes)
Tanner Bibee pitching line: 5IP 5H 3R (2 earned) 2BB 3K 86 pitches (49 for strikes)
The Guardians added a run in the top of the 9th on a bases loaded walk to Santana that forced in Angel Martinez
The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a sac fly by Vladimir hurting Jr. that scored Gimenez
Emmanuel Clase got the last 3 outs for his 7th save of the season
Final score: Guardians 5 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

Bowden Francis battled through 4.1 innings, giving up 4 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 2. He started out well with 2 clean innings to start the game. However, the Guardians figured him out in the 3rd and 4th innings where he gave up 4 runs on 5 hits and a walk. It was a good move but manager John Schneider to remove him from the game after he gave up a one out single in the 5th inning before a third straight inning snowballed on him. To me, he earned another start, but with the a Blue Jays signing Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urias, his spot in the rotation may be perilous. Having two rotation spots where you can't rely on the starter to go deep into the game puts pressure on the remaining three (Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman) to have a good start with a minimum of 6 innings to save the bullpen a few outs.
The effects of overusing the bullpen is starting to show. Yariel Rodriguez and Brandon little, who threw twice as many balls as strikes and walked in a crucial insurance run that turned out to be the difference in the game, were not at their bests. Another thing to watch is injuries. As the bullpen struggles to get outs, the Blue Jays will be forced to use a reliever they might have given a day off and that player might get hurt.
The Blue Jays did all their damage in the 4th innning to negate the 3 runs Francis gave up in the top half of the inning. The Blue Jays had a chance to take the lead in the 8th inning, but Ernie Clement failed on a 3rd strike bunt attempt and Nathan Lukes and Myles Straw both popped out. George Springer did all he could to extend the game in the 9th but struck out swinging on the 7th pitch of the at-bat.
The Blue Jays were 4-11 with runners in scoring position
Up next, after an off-day/travel day, the Blue Jays open their first west coast swing against the Angels. The Blue Jays swept the season series last year, outscoring the Angels 40-15. Lefty Tyler Anderson will start for the Angels. The Blue Jays haven't set the rotation for the series yet.

Game #34 Cleveland Guardians (19-14) v. Toronto Blue Jays (16-17)

Game #33 - Cleveland Guardians (19-14) @ Toronto Blue Jays (16-17) - game recap

Kevin Gausman pitched 6 shutout innings in a losing effort as the Guardians came from behind to defeat the Blue Jays 5-3

After a third straight comeback win, the Blue Jays wer looking to extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 5th series win of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was back in CF after the complete day off yesterday. George Springer was back in RF after the half day off as DH yesterday (Anthony Santander served as DH today). Nathan Lukes got the start in LF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak to 4 games and notch their 5th series win of the season? Here is today's game recap.