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Blue Jays Series Preview: Yankees step into the spotlight
Sep 16, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) hits an RBI double against Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller, left, in the first inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
The Toronto Blue Jays look to hit the reset button on Monday as the New York Yankees enter town with a 2.5 game deficit in the American League East. After dropping two straight games to the Red Sox in a depressing fashion over the weekend, the Blue Jays send their stopper to the hill for the series opener in David Price.
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New York, on the other hand, has won their last two and continue to occupy the unexpected role of overachievers. With Nathan Eovaldi already out of the rotation due to injury, the Jays catch a break in this series as Masahiro Tanaka will miss Wednesday’s game with a minor hamstring injury. When we consider the injury to Mark Teixeira, New York’s bullpen situation and the age of Alex Rodriguez, it makes their success even more impressive.
A key for Toronto will be cracking into that bullpen early in an effort to expose the relievers that come before Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller. New York’s offense trails only Toronto for runs scored in the majors this season, so the balls could be flying at the Rogers Centre. Ahead, we break down the three pitching matchups featured in the series.
Next: Game 1: Is Price the trump card?
Sep 16, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price (14) delivers a pitch to an Atlanta Braves batter in the third inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Monday, September 21st – 7:07 ET
David Price (16-5, 2.42) vs. Adam Warren (6-6, 3.33)
Price takes the mound on Monday night for the Blue Jays, making his fourth start against New York since coming over via trade at the deadline. Admittedly, while his two most recent outings against the Yankees both ended in a win, they were not his most dominant performances. Price allowed 5 earned runs on 17 hits over 12.0 innings across those games.
He’s remained an elite starter since landing in Toronto, however, and has an opportunity to put his foot in the ground for the Jays. This is what aces are for, getting the biggest wins at the biggest times. A win on Monday would make it six in his last seven starts.
Adam Warren counters for the Yankees, and it will be interesting to see how much length the right-hander has after recently moving into the rotation from the bullpen. In his first start this past Tuesday, Warren managed to go 4.0 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits.
Next: Game 2 Preview: Estrada takes on The Kid
Sep 17, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada (25) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Tuesday, September 22nd – 7:07 ET
Marco Estrada (13-8, 3.14) vs. Luis Severino (4-3, 3.12)
It’s been a week of love for Marco Estrada, both here at Jays Journal and around the Jays media circuit. His last outing in Atlanta was perhaps his most finely crafted performance of 2015, throwing 8.0 shutout innings while allowing just three hits.
In spite of this, we still cannot write Estrada’s name into the playoff rotation with 100% certainty. This is unfair given his contribution to the team this season, but he and veteran Mark Buehrle may be in competition for the final spot in a four man rotation. As long as Estrada can avoid any signs of arm fatigue, though, he owns the inside edge.
The wildly talented Luis Severino will take the mound for New York, and I’m already dreading seeing this right-hander on a regular basis in the coming years. He’s coming off a strong outing against the Rays and has recorded wins in four of his last five games, but the one loss came to Toronto and it wasn’t pretty. The Jays put up 6 runs on 6 hits and three walks, chasing Severino after 2.1 innings in the Bronx.
Next: Game 3 Preview: Stro Show shuts it down!
Sep 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) delivers a pitch against Boston Red Sox during the Jays 6-1 win at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Wednesday, September 23rd – 7:07 ET
Marcus Stroman (2-0, 3.00) vs. Ivan Nova (6-8, 5.11)
Toronto’s favorite son takes the ball for the series finale, and after his last outing against the Boston Red Sox, expectations are sky high. Stroman pitched 7.0 strong innings in that game, allowing just one earned run on six hits while pounding the zone with a devastating sinker.
The question of Stroman’s health no longer seems to be an issue (knock on wood), and general manager Alex Anthopoulos recently said on MLB Radio that he’d be in the conversation for game two of a playoff series if that situation presents itself. This Wednesday start will be the biggest of his Blue Jays career.
Nova gets the nod in place of the injured Tanaka, and the Blue Jays breathe a collective sigh of relief. The right hander has struggled mightily in 2015, and his most recent outing against the Blue Jays was a low point. Nova allowed 6 earned runs on 7 hits, and didn’t make it out of the 2nd inning. The pitching matchups line up well for the Jays in this series, now it’s time to do something about it!
Next: Have the Blue Jays given up on Maicer Izturis?