Blue Jays Series Preview Vs. Milwaukee Brewers

After a dismal season-opening road trip, the Toronto Blue Jays will look to turn things around as they will finally play in their Home Opener series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Toronto Blue Jays (1-5) welcome the Milwaukee Brewers (2-5) to the Rogers Centre on Tuesday night.

The Blue Jays are set to begin a nine-game homestand that will feature the Baltimore Orioles, and the Boston Red Sox in the coming week following the Brewers. It’s the first interleague series of the season for both teams as well.

Here’s an inside look of the two-game series.

What You Need To Know

Tuesday, Aprill 11, 2017

First Pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

Starting Pitchers: LHP J.A. Happ (0-1 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Wily Peralta (1-0 0.00 ERA)

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

First Pitch: 7:07 p.m. EST

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

Starting Pitchers: RHP Marcus Stroman (1-0 1.42 ERA) vs. RHP Chase Anderson (0-0 1.50 ERA)

J.A. Happ is slated to start against Wily Peralta on Tuesday night. Marcus Stroman will close out the two-game series on Wednesday night. Chase Anderson is the probable starter for the Brewers.

It’s been a slow start for both teams. According to Fangraphs.com, the Blue Jays currently own a batting average of .202 which is third last in the League. The Brewers have an average of .215 as they rank 24th in the League.

For pitching, the Brewers are 12th in the League with a 4.29 earned run average whereas the Blue Jays have the ninth highest earned run average with 4.64.

When it comes to runs per game, the Brewers are in 18th with 4.1 runs per game compared to the Blue Jays who average 3.3 runs per game and sit 25th in the League.

Key Players

This series will mark the return of former Blue Jay Eric Thames. Thames was drafted by the Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. The 33-year old made his big League debut on May 18, 2011. He made a favourable impression as he hit 12 home runs, 37 RBI while batting an average of .262.

Suddenly, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Steve Delabar on July 30, 2012.

When asked about his return to Toronto, Thames had this to say to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentential.

Jose Bautista and Ryan Braun are other key players to watch. In the offseason, Bautista was a free agent while Braun was a subject of trade bait. Both players would stay with their respective clubs as Braun is off to a strong start and Bautista is off to a slow start. However, Bautista has 10 home runs in 32 career games against the Brewers.

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Russell Martin will look to finally get his first hit of the young season. Martin’s last hit game in the final game of Spring Training against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Notable Injuries

Toronto

LHP J.P. Howell (10-day DL left shoulder soreness)

OF Dalton Pompey (10-day DL concussion)

RHP Bo Schultz (60-day DL torn right UCL- out for season)

Milwaukee

RHP Junior Guerra (10-day DL strained right calf)

RHP Matt Garza (10-day DL strained right groin)

C Andrew Susac (10-day DL trapezius tightness)

There are no other significant injuries for the Brewers.

For the Blue Jays, closer Roberto Osuna comes to mind. Osuna is expected to be back for the home opener after spending the past week on the DL with neck spasms.

Josh Donaldson, who left Sunday’s game with a calf strain, could be ready to go in time for the game.

Next: Blue Jays: Howell’s injury could be Loup’s opportunity

The Blue Jays may be out of the spotlight for a few weeks. While Toronto fans may be caught up with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Raptors respective appearances in the postseason, this would give the Blue Jays less pressure and a better opportunity to refine their game.