The comfortable cushion the Blue Jays once enjoyed atop the American League East has been eroded and the only way to get it back is by stringing together some wins.
Toronto’s magic number is still at four after Boston gets to Gausman in the sixth inning.
The Jays will hope to start that streak when their three-game series against the Boston Red Sox continues on Wednesday night. A 4-1 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday, combined with a win by the New York Yankees, meant the Jays’ magic number remained stuck at four.
Game 2 preview
The Jays will hand the ball to veteran right-hander Max Scherzer as he attempts to bounce back from one of the worst starts of his career. In his last outing vs. the Kansas City Royals, Scherzer couldn’t even make it out of the first inning as he surrendered seven runs on seven hits and a walk while recording just two outs.
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Another outing like that could result in Scherzer being left out of a post-season rotation. Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are the favourites to start Games 1 and 2 while rookie Trey Yesavage has emerged as a strong candidate for a potential Game 3. If there’s a fourth game in an AL Division Series, the Jays likely would be deciding between Scherzer and veteran Chris Bassitt for the final spot.
Scherzer has yet to face the Red Sox this season. Historically, though, he hasn’t enjoyed much success. The future Hall of Famer is 5-6 in 13 starts vs. Boston with a 5.67 ERA, which is his highest against any team in the majors.
The Jays will have their hands full on the other side because the Red Sox will be countering with ace lefty Garrett Crochet. The 26-year-old is a candidate to win the AL Cy Young with a 2.69 ERA and he has allowed more than three runs just twice since the beginning of July. Crochet has already faced the Jays twice this season. On April 8, he allowed four runs — one earned — across 5 2/3 innings. Then on April 29, he allowed just two runs on four hits in seven innings.
Game time, TV, probable pitchers
Tuesday, 7 p.m. on Sportsnet:Â RH Max Scherzer (5-4, 5.06) vs. LH Garrett Crochet (17-5, 2.69)
Thursday, 7 p.m. on Sportsnet: RH Shane Bieber (3-2, 3.57) vs. RH Brayan Bello (11-8, 3.34)
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