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Blue Jays look to salvage series versus Braves

by sports••0
Blue Jays look to salvage series versus Braves

Last Friday, they had all the momentum in the world, reaching a .500 record for the first time since early April, with two more games remaining. But by now, you know the story, as Jeff Hoffman blew a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth, the first of four consecutive losses.
On Wednesday, the Blue Jays lost the series after having a golden opportunity for a big inning in the top of the first, with Jesús Sánchez grounding into a double play with the bases loaded and no outs.

After the fourth inning, the Jays didn’t notch another hit until the eighth, and even then, they left two runners stranded. They were some positives from that game, namely Nathan Lukes and Brandon Valenzuela’s home runs, but they’re back to four games below .500.

It’s not going to be any easier in Thursday’s series finale, as the Blue Jays are up against left-handed starter, Chris Sale. This season, the 37-year-old has a 2.01 ERA and 2.90 FIP in 67 innings pitched, with a 30.2 K% and 6.4 BB%.

Having pitched for the Boston Red Sox for six seasons, the Jays are one of eight teams he’s pitched more than 100 innings against in his career. Over 119.2 innings, he has a 2.71 ERA with a 30.9 K%. To make matters worse, the Blue Jays are slashing just .213/.297/.348 with 15 home runs against left-handed pitching, which equates for a 83 wRC+, tied for the fourth-lowest against LHP. So that’s fun.

Equally as fun is the fact that the Blue Jays have yet another bullpen game. Mason Fluharty starts, his third time serving as the opener. Last time was against the Detroit Tigers in mid-May, where he struck out three over one and one-third innings. Chad Dallas, who was called up ahead of Thursday’s game, is expected to pitch the bulk of the innings.
With a left-handed starter on the mound, the Blue Jays turn to a top-heavy right-handed batting lineup. George Springer leads off, Ernie Clement is in the two-hole, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bats third. Kazuma Okamoto returns to the cleanup spot, while Charles McAdoo gets another start in the lineup.
Lukes will be the first lefty to bat for the Jays, as he’s sixth in the lineup, followed by Myles Straw and Tyler Heineman. Yohendrick Piñango is the only other left-handed hitter that’ll face Sale in this one.

Let’s set up Thursday’s series final, as the Blue Jays look to avoid their third sweep of the season.

Location: Atlanta

First Pitch: 7:15 PM ET

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet One, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Mason Fluharty: 3-0 record, 3.97 ERA, 22.2 IP, 30 SO, 9 BB

Atlanta Braves – Chris Sale: 8-3 record, 2.01 ERA, 67 IP, 80 SO, 17 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:

  1. George Springer – DH
  2. Ernie Clement – SS
  3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
  4. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
  5. Charles McAdoo – 2B
  6. Nathan Lukes – LF
  7. Myles Straw – CF
  8. Tyler Heineman – C
  9. Yohendrick Piñango – RF

Braves:

  1. Ronald Acuña Jr. – RF
  2. Mauricio Dubón – SS
  3. Matt Olson – 1B
  4. Ozzie Albies – 2B
  5. Michael Harris II – CF
  6. Dominic Smith – DH
  7. Austin Riley – 3B
  8. Mike Yastrzemski – LF
  9. Sandy Léon – C

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