Blue Jays’ Morales will look to continue dominance over Archer

Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales reacts after hitting a walk off home run in the ninth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Kendrys Morales reacts after hitting a walk off home run in the ninth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. The Toronto Blue Jays won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays kick off their third series versus the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game set at Tropicana Field where Francisco Liriano will take the bump opposite the Rays ace Chris Archer.

The Blue Jays lineup has yet to be posted for the contest but you can guarantee designated hitter Kendrys Morales will be penned into manager John Gibbons lineup card for tonight’s contest.

The slugger has completely owned Chris Archer posting video game career numbers versus the hurler. Morales is hitting .591 with 13 hits including 6 extra base hits with 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in 22 career at-bats.

Morales has only fallen victim to a strikeout on one occasion at the hands of Archer and has an inflated on base percentage of .609 with a 1.045 slugging percentage and a ridiculous 1.654 OPS.   I think it is safe to assume Archer may pitch around Morales tonight.

The Jays beat Archer on April 30th even though the hurler was only tagged for one earned run. During that contest, Morales had two hits including a double off Archer.

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The matchup couldn’t come at a better time for the scuffling Morales who is hitting just .218 over the past two weeks with only one round-tripper and has hit below the Mendoza line this past week batting .192. in 26 at bats.

On the contrary, Jose Bautista has struggled mightily versus Archer hitting a paltry .191 with only 9 hits and 10 strikeouts in 47 career at-bats versus Archer. Joey Bats has slugged 3 homers off the Rays ace despite his disappointing numbers.

A number of Jays have faltered opposite Archer including Devon Travis (.063) Ryan Goins (.120) Russell Martin (.130) Kevin Pillar (.200) Steve Pearce (.214)

Archer boasts a .213 opposition batting average with 57 strikeouts in 221 at-bats in his career versus the Blue Jays.

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Hopefully, Morales can ignite the Blue Jays offence tonight and pace the boys in blue to their 10th victory of the season in Tampa Bay.