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Blue Jays face Yankees for most hyped series in years

By Keegan Matheson |
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Aug 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have their fan base ready to burst at the seams. It’s been years since the excitement around this ball club has even been close to what it is right now, and it’s all about to culminate on one of baseball’s greatest stages: Yankee Stadium.

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After sweeping the Minnesota Twins with four fantastic performances, the Blue Jays now set their sights on toppling the AL East-leading Yankees. R.A. Dickey and David Price will lead off the series for Toronto, both of whom have been pitching at an elite level in their recent starts. Marco Estrada will take the ball in the Sunday matinee, so as long as the Jays’ potent offense makes the trip to New York, they’ll be in a premium spot to take two of three.

The Jays will have 10 games remaining against the Yankees following this series, including a rematch next weekend at the Rogers Centre. After both teams recorded wins last night, Toronto remains 4.5 games back of the Yankees. I’d normally say that all the Jays need to do is chip away, but watching this team recently, why not try to break off a chunk?

There is a special buzz around this ball club right now. General manager Alex Anthopoulos went out at the trade deadline and made blockbusters that are usually reserved for the New York Yankees’ of the world. Now, the Jays are knocking on the door. Ready to kick it in.

Next: First stop: A look across the diamond

Aug 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) celebrates after hitting a home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Across the Diamond

Time after time, these series previews have brought about optimism in the “Across the Diamond” section due to Toronto’s clear offensive advantage. Against the Bronx Bombers, however, that’s not exactly the case.

New York entered play on Thursday night sitting second in the Major Leagues behind the Blue Jays with 526 runs. They also rank second league-wide to the Jays in doubles, and trail just Houston and Toronto in total team home runs. This offense doesn’t get the attention of Toronto’s, but it’s been nearly as productive.

Mark Teixeira has been the star of the show in New York with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs entering Thursday, and he’s been especially hot as of late. With the short porch in left field, he’s one to keep an eye on.

Their surprise story, of course, has been Alex Rodriguez, whose 24 home runs and .278 average are miles beyond his modest projections for 2015. Brett Gardner is also enjoying another strong season in the outfield while Chase Headley has been producing steadily over the past two weeks.

Next: Game one: Dickey looks to stay hot

Jul 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) talks with Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) during the fifth inning in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. The Tampa Bay Rays won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1: Friday, August 7th  –  7:05 ET
R.A. Dickey (6-10, 4.06) vs. Nate Eovaldi (11-2, 4.30)

The veteran knuckler has been Toronto’s most consistent starting option over the past month and is on the verge of dipping his ERA back below four. His newfound success has been attributed to a little more juice behind his trademark pitch, which has also begun to find the strike zone with more regularity.

Over Dickey’s last two starts, he’s pitched 15.0 innings of shutout ball while allowing nine hits and striking out 10. He’s lasted a minimum of 6.0 innings in nine of his last ten starts, and figures to be one of Toronto’s most valuable arms down the playoff stretch.

New York will counter with the electric arm of Nate Eovaldi, who was one of my favorite pitchers in the Major Leagues before he joined the evil empire. Eovaldi has racked up the wins, but his 4.30 ERA and 1.49 WHIP show us that he’s not untouchable. The right-hander has walked three batters in two of his three most recent starts, and has lasted a full six inning just once over his last six starts. The Blue Jays wface a tall task in catching up to his fastball, but if they do, he’ll provide their bats with some free power.

Next: Game two: Price on the big stage!

Aug 3, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays opening pitcher David Price (14) pitches in the first inning against Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Game 2:  Saturday, August 8th  –  1:05 ET
David Price (10-4, 2.45) vs. Ivan Nova (4-3, 3.10)

Toronto’s shiny new toy gets his second opportunity to wow the fans, and what a stage he’ll be given. Saturday afternoon in New York during a heated AL East race. Price’s first start in Toronto was nothing short of spectacular as he threw 8.0 dominant innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out eleven batters. His most impressive moment came in the fourth inning, where he faced a bases-loaded, none out situation, and escaped without allowing a run. That’s what aces do.

The man he’ll be facing is no slouch, though. Nova has won each of his past three starts and is proving to be one of New Yorks best starting options entering the August and September push. He’s made seven starts now since returning from Tommy John surgery, and seemed to recapture his strikeout pitch in his last outing with seven against the Chicago White Sox. While he may not work deep into the game, we know that New York’s bullpen can handle anything he leaves undone.

Next: Game three: Estrada closes it out

Aug 4, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marco Estrada (25) knuckles with acting manager DeMarlo Hale (16) as he prepares to leave the game against Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Estrada was the winning pitcher in a 3-1 win for the Jays. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: Sunday, August 8th  –  1:05 ET
Marco Estrada (9-6, 3.40) vs. Masahiro Tanaka (8-4, 3.84)

The Blue Jays wrap up this weekend series on Sunday before an off-day Monday, and send the quietly incredible changeup guru Marco Estrada to the mound. Estrada has been working extremely well with Dioner Navarro behind the dish, and we could see the same pairing to give Russell Martin a full two days off heading into their series against Oakland at home.

Estrada has won three of his past four starts, and outside of one dud, he’s been fantastic for the Blue Jays over the past two months. With his ERA down to 3.40 and WHIP now sitting at 1.11, he’s far more than we ever could have expected from the Adam Lind trade. In his last outing against the Minnesota Twins, Estrada allowed just one earned run on two hits over 6.2 strong innings.

New York will close up the series with Tanaka, who has overcome injury concerns earlier in the season to have a very impressive season of his own. It’s been some time since Tanaka dominated in one of his starts, but he’s remained consistent and should be a safe bet to work at least six innings of quality ball.

Next: Blue Jays contracts and control: 2016

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