Series Preview: Blue Jays Have Rangers in Their Crosshairs

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Aug 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) delivers a pitch against Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1: Mark Buehrle (13-5, 3.45 ERA)  vs Derek Holland (1-1, 3.68 ERA)

For the first time since May 1, Buehrle didn’t go at least 5 innings as he gave up a 4 spot to the Phillies in four innings of the Blue Jays eventual win. It’s nice in a way to see that Buehrle is fallible and not the super human, slow pitching, corner nibblin’ sunuvagun that he appears to be. Buehrle is not one to take such an outing lightly. There are a few guys in the other dugout who have given Buehrle fits over the years: Adrain Beltre (.381 BA), Shin-Soo Choo (.370 BA) and Mike Napoli (.313 BA). He will have to be on his A game to get through these guys but he has the vet savvy to tackle what comes his way.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

Holland is coming off some nasty shoulder strain and will be making his 3rd start of the season and has done reasonably well so far. He has been a steady force in the rotation before and there is no reason to think he has lost it completely. With an OPS of .823 against lefties though, the Blue Jays could definitely lay a thumping on the still a bit rusty Holland…and to make things a little worse, Josh Donaldson owns a .333 BA career against him. Better hold on tight Derek!

Next: Game 2: Price vs Lewis