Burn the Trop Down Anyways. Just to Be Safe. (Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (58-46) vs. Minnesota Twins (55-49))
No self-deprecation today, baby. I’ve earned it after what my throat went through recording that trade deadline round-up. You like that high-effort content, piggies? Well there’s more slop to come, so eat up.
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TRANSACTIONS
Like I said, my trade deadline analysis can be found here, so if you want to hear my thoughts on the acquisitions of Anthony Bass, Zach Pop, Mitch White, and Whit Merrifield, you know where to go.
As for the related moves, left-handed relievers Andrew Vasquez and Anthony Banda are both off the active roster, with Vasquez claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies to serve as bullpen depth, and with Banda designated for assignment. Vasquez was knocked around in limited playing time, but Banda’s time with the Jays was surprisingly alright, save for a higher-than-career average walk rate. Evidently, not alright enough to save himself from the roster crunch.
Vasquez and Banda’s fates leave the newly recalled (for now) Matt Gage, Anthony Kay, Foster Griffin, and the rehabbing Tayler Saucedo as Left-Handed Bullpen Options Not Named Tim Mayza. LHBONNTM for short.
Unfortunately, Ross Stripling was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right glute strain.
As Kaitlyn McGrath reports, Stripling hopes to be back soon, but in the interim, replacing him in the rotation will be the newly-acquired Mitch White, who has been optioned to Triple-A in the interim. White will likely take the spot of Matt Peacock (who we talked about here), who was called up yesterday in case a need for mop-up relief emerges.
BEST BIRDS
Hitter: Teoscar Hernández (3)
Honourable Mentions: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Pitcher: Kevin Gausman (7)
Honourable Mentions: Trent Thornton, Yusei Kikuchi
Best Bird Standings:
Hitters:
Matt Chapman- 6
George Springer- 4
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.- 4
Teoscar Hernández- 3
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.- 3
Alejandro Kirk- 3
Bo Bichette- 3
Santiago Espinal- 3
Danny Jansen- 2
Cavan Biggio- 1
Zack Collins - 1
Pitchers:
Alek Manoah- 14
Kevin Gausman- 7
José BerrÃos- 4
Yusei Kikuchi- 4
Ross Stripling- 3
David Phelps- 1
Jordan Romano- 1
SCHEDULE/PROBABLE PITCHERS
Thursday, August 4 (7:30 p.m. EST/5:30 p.m. MST)
Alek Manoah (2.43 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 28.4 K%, 4.3 BB%)
Sonny Gray (3.41 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 22.8 K%, 6.3 BB%)
Friday, August 5 (8 p.m. EST/6 p.m. MST)
José BerrÃos (4.96 ERA, 4.63 FIP, 21.6 K%, 5.5 BB%)
Tyler Mahle (presumptive) (4.40 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 25.9 K%, 8.9 BB%)
Saturday, August 6 (7 p.m. EST/ 5 p.m. MST)
Mitch White (presumptive) (3.70 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 19.8 K%, 8.0 BB%)
Dylan Bundy (5.04 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 17.9 K%, 5.0 BB%)
Sundy, August 7 (2 p.m. EST/12 p.m. MST)
Kevin Gausman (presumptive) (3.06 ERA, 2.02 FIP, 28.4 K%, 4.3 BB%)
Chris Archer (4.05 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 20.4 K%, 4.9 BB%)
THE OPPOSITION
Pythagorean Record: 55-49
Season Series vs. Blue Jays: 2-1
Record since the last series vs. Blue Jays: 23-25
Last 10 games: 5-5
Best (Healthy) Players in the Series:
Byron Buxton, Center Field, .221/.299/.548, 136 wRC+
Luis Arráez, First Base/Second Base, .329/.398/.434, 141 wRC+
Tyler Mahle, Starting Pitcher, 4.40 ERA, 3.61 FIP, 25.9 K%, 8.9 BB%
Jorge López, Relief Pitcher, 1.64 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 27.6 K%, 8.5 BB%
Max Kepler, Right Field, .244/.344/.390, 113 wRC+