Late lineup change sees Addison Barger scratched ahead of series finale against Angels

Drawing into the lineup for Barger is Myles Straw, who’ll bat eighth. With Barger’s departure, there’s plenty of other movement in the lineup. Ernie Clement was slated to bat sixth, but will not lead off the game. Kazuma Okamoto was going to hit in the two-hole, but will now cleanup.

Moving to the two-hole for this game is Daulton Varsho. who was going to hit fifth. Jesús Sánchez moves down a spot to bat fifth, while Andrés Giménez moves up a spot, batting seventh instead of eighth. Vladimir Guerrero will remain at third, Lenyn Sosa will remain batting seventh, and Tyler Heineman will remain batting ninth.

Starting for the Angels is José Soriano. Heading into the series finale against the Angels in Anaheim, Soriano was rocking a 0.28 ERA and 2.33 FIP in 32.2 innings pitched, while opponents were batting just .103. The Blue Jays mustered seven hits, all singles, off Soriano, raising his opponent’s batting average to .142. Coming into that game, he had given up just 11 hits through five starts.

Soriano’s last two games, both against the Chicago White Sox, have been far less dominant. In his last nine innings of work, Soriano has given up eight earned runs (8 ERA, 8.46 FIP), striking out 11, walking six, and giving up four home runs after giving up just one long ball over his first six starts.

If the Blue Jays manage to win this game, it’ll be their first series sweep since the series opener against the Athletics in March.

That said, let’s set up Sunday’s series finale!

Location: Toronto

First Pitch: 1:37 PM ET

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet, Sportsnet One, SN590

Starting Pitchers

Toronto Blue Jays – Spencer Miles: 1-0 record, 3.50 ERA, 18 IP, 16 SO, 5 BB

Los Angeles Angels – José Soriano: 5-2 record, 1.74 ERA, 46.2 IP, 54 SO, 19 BB

Lineups:

Blue Jays:

1. Ernie Clement – 2B
2. Daulton Varsho – CF
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B
4. Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
5. Jesús Sánchez – RF
6. Lenyn Sosa – 1B
7. Andrés Giménez – SS
8. Myles Straw – LF
9. Tyler Heineman – C

Angels:

1. Zach Neto – SS
2. Mike Trout – DH
3. Vaughn Grissom – 3B
4. Jorge Soler – RF
5. Jo Adell – LF
6. Nolan Schanuel – 1B
7. Oswald Peraza – 2B
8. Sebastián Rivero – C
9. Bryce Teodosio – CF