Ross, Please (Tampa Bay Rays (40-34) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (42-33))
Nothing like a series against a fraudulent division rival to get things somewhat back on track. I just hope that Wednesday’s loss doesn’t put them off the white panel hats, those look so dope.
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TRANSACTIONS
The Jays officially announced the one-year signing of Sergio Romo, moving Tayler Saucedo to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40-man roster while optioning Shaun Anderson to Triple-A Buffalo to make room on the active roster.
BEST BIRDS
Hitter: George Springer (3)
Honourable Mentions: Raimel Tapia, Matt Chapman, Alejandro Kirk, Cavan Biggio, Teoscar Hernández
Pitcher: Kevin Gausman (6)
Honourable Mentions: Alek Manoah, Adam Cimber, Ross Stripling
Best Bird Standings:
Hitters:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- 4
George Springer- 3
Alejandro Kirk- 3
Bo Bichette- 3
Santiago Espinal- 3
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.- 2
Danny Jansen- 2
Cavan Biggio- 1
Teoscar Hernández- 1
Matt Chapman- 1
Zack Collins - 1
Pitchers:
Alek Manoah- 10
Kevin Gausman- 6
Yusei Kikuchi- 3
Ross Stripling- 2
José Berríos- 2
Jordan Romano- 1
SCHEDULE/PROBABLE PITCHERS
Thursday, June 30 (7 p.m. EST/5 p.m. MST)
Jeffrey Springs (2.25 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 27.8 K%, 5.6 BB%, 41.6 Groundball%)
Yusei Kikuchi (5.08 ERA, 5.85 FIP, 25.5 K%, 13.5 BB%, 42.5 Groundball%)
Friday, July 1 (3 p.m. EST/1 p.m. MST)
Corey Kluber (3.45 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 22.2 K%, 3.7 BB%, 36.9 Groundball%)
José Berríos (5.86 ERA, 5.28 FIP, 18.8 K%, 5.9 B%, 36.8 Groundball%)
Saturday, July 2 (12 p.m. EST/10 a.m. MST)
Shane McClanahan (1.77 ERA, 2.57 FIP, 35.7 K%, 4.6 BB%, 49.8 Groundball%)
Kevin Gausman (2.93 ERA, 1.71 FIP, 26.9 K%, 4.2 BB%, 42.9 Groundball%)
Saturday, July 2 (6 p.m. EST/4 p.m. MST)
Drew Rasmussen (presumptive) (3.41 ERA, 3.89 FIP, 20.6 K%, 6.7 BB%, 49.4 Groundball%)
Maximo Castillo (presumptive) (3.60 ERA, 6.34 FIP, 40.0 K%, 10.0 BB%, 50.0 Groundball%)
Sunday, July 3 (1:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. MST)
Shane Baz (3.38 ERA, 3.56 FIP, 28.4 K% 9.5 BB%, 35.6 Groundball%)
Ross Stripling (3.12 ERA, 3.07 FIP, 19.8 K%, 5.2 BB%, 50.0 Groundball%)
THE OPPOSITION
Pythagorean Record: 39-35
Season Series vs. Blue Jays: 2-1
Record since the last series vs. Blue Jays: 21-19
Last 10 games: 5-5
Best (Healthy) Players in the Series:
Shane McClanahan, Starting Pitcher, 1.77 ERA, 2.57 FIP, 35.7 K%, 4.6 BB%, 49.8 Groundball%
Ji-Man Choi, First Base, .287/.389/.473, 152 wRC+
Isaac Paredes, Infielder, .248/.313/.594, 159 wRC+
Yandy Díaz, Third Base/First Base, .266/.385/.349, 126 wRC+
Jeffrey Springs, Starting Pitcher, 2.25 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 27.8 K%, 5.6 BB%, 41.6 Groundball%
Wander Franco, Shortstop, .263/.496/.409, 103 wRC+