Blue Jays Series Preview Vs. St. Louis Cardinals

The Toronto Blue Jays split their four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels. They will now head to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals in a three-game series starting Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.

This is the first road interleague series for the Toronto Blue Jays (5-14) this season, and they’ll play the St. Louis Cardinals (9-10).

It’s their first visit to Busch Stadium since 2011. They lose the DH in the lineup and manager John Gibbons will have to use either Justin Smoak or Kendrys Morales for the next three games.

Blue Jays pitchers are a career 41-for-417 at the plate as their batting average is .098 overall.

What You Need To Know

Tuesday, April 25

First Pitch: 8:15 p.m. EST

Starting Pitchers: RHP Marco Estrada (0-1 2.63 ERA) vs. Michael Wacha (2-1 2.41 ERA)

Wednesday, April 26

First Pitch: 8:15 p.m. EST

Starting Pitchers: RHP Mat Latos (0-0 7.20 ERA) vs. RHP Carlos Martinez (0-3 4.76 ERA)

Thursday, April 27

First Pitch: 1:45 p.m. EST

Starting Pitchers: RHP Casey Lawrence (0-2 7.56 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (1-3 6.27 ERA)

TV: Sportsnet

Radio: Sportsnet 590 The FAN

Marco Estrada struck out 15 batters over 13 shutout innings in his last two starts. His mix of changeups and fastballs have lowered his ERA to 2.63. Michael Wacha has also gotten off to a strong start to the season. The 25-year old has pitched at least six innings in his last three starts, allowing one earned run in two of those outings.

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The pitching matchup on Wednesday will see Mat Latos take the mound after a lackluster start on Friday. Latos allowed four runs on six hits and three walks while striking out one batter through five innings of work. His counterpart, Carlos Martinez, has battled inconsistency since his dominating Opening Day start.

The matinee finale on Thursday will have Casey Lawrence get a chance of redemption from his first big league start on Saturday. Lawrence pitched seven innings and would retire the next nine batters after giving up a grand slam in the third inning. Adam Wainwright responded from two bad outings when he allowed two runs on six hits while striking out nine over five innings his last start on Friday.

Players To Watch

Brett Cecil comes to mind. He will be taking on his former ball club this week, he could even pitch an inning or two against his old teammates too.

Interestingly enough, both the Blue Jays and Cardinals have veteran catchers. Both Russell Martin and Yadier Molina are 34-years old as they are top-end defensive catchers who are having opposite seasons. Martin has struggled at the plate this month whereas Molina is coming off a newly signed extension worth $60-million.

Expect both of these catchers to play a similar game, especially when they are behind the plate.

Player Injuries

Toronto

3B Josh Donaldson (10-day DL strained right calf)

LHP J.A. Happ (10-day DL left elbow inflammation)

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

OF Dalton Pompey (60-day DL concussion)

RHP Aaron Sanchez (10-day DL right middle finger blister)

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

RHP Glenn Sparkman (60-day DL fractured right thumb)

SS Troy Tulowitzki (10-day DL strained right hamstring)

St. Louis

RHP John Grant (10-day DL strained right groin)

3B Jhonny Peralta (10-day DL upper respiratory infection)

RHP Alex Reyes (10-day DL right elbow surgery out for season)

LHP Zach Duke (60-day DL left elbow surgery out for season)

Next: Blue Jays have a friend in Albert Pujols

The Blue Jays are still looking for their first series win of the season. They will wrap up their road trip on Thursday before coming home to the Rogers Centre for a quick weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays.