Blue Jays Opposing Pitcher Report: Matt Boyd

On Saturday, June 30, the Blue Jays will play the second game of a four-game wraparound series against the Detroit Tigers. Former college teammates, Sam Gaviglio and Matt Boyd will oppose each other.

Matt Boyd pitched against the Blue Jays when the team was last in Detroit. The former Blue Jay was mediocre against Toronto, allowing six hits, two home runs, and four earned runs in seven complete innings. However, with the help of some questionable Toronto pitching, and hot Detroit offence, the Tigers emerged from the game victorious.

Despite having a strong start to the year, the outing against Toronto was somewhat of a turning point for the left-hander. Since the Tigers defeated the Blue Jays on June 2, the southpaw has pitched to a 7.46 ERA in four games.

Boyd’s overall numbers are quite average, posting a 4.15 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 1.227 WHIP, and 104 ERA+. For reference, coming into his last start against the Jays, the lefty had posted a 3.00 ERA and 3.49 FIP.

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The left-handed hurler keeps his pitching selection simple, mixing between a slider, four-seam fastball, curveball, sinker, and change-up. While he has the ability to throw many pitches, the left-hander is a fastball-slider pitcher, primarily.

Boyd has thrown his slider 33.5% of the time this season. The slider is not that fast, posting an average velocity of 81.4 mph, but it maintains some arm sidecut and drop. As a result of this movement, the slider has been responsible for whiffs at a decent rate of 30.34% of swings. As well, the breaking ball has been the finishing pitch in 42 of the lefty’s 69 strikeouts this year.

The left-handed starter has straightened batters up with a four-seam fastball 32.3% of the time this season. The four-seamer is quite slow, posting an average velocity of 90.26 mph. As well, the heater has not been effective, posting a poor .259 BAA.

The left-hander has broken off hooks 14.7% of the time this season. The curve is not a classic 12-6 curve and drop, instead, it is a sweeping curveball. Interestingly, the big breaker has allowed line drives at a poor rate of 29.17% of balls in play. Indicative of this dangerous result, the pitch has allowed a poor .533 SLGA.

Boyd completes his pitching repertoire with occasional sinkers and change-ups. The sinking fastball and off-speed pitch have been featured by the starter 10.2% and 9% of the time this season, respectively. The sinker has allowed a poor .286 BAA and .464 SLGA this season. As well, the change has allowed two home runs and a poor .517 SLGA.

Much like Liriano, the left-hander has not produced many strikeouts and has struggled with walking batters. Through 15 starts, the lefty owns a below average 19.9% K-rate and 7.54 K/9. As well, his walk numbers are concerning, posting a 9.5% BB-rate and 3.61 BB/9.

The Blue Jays have bad numbers against Boyd, with the exception of a few hitters. The exceptions, Kendrys Morales and Yangervis Solarte have owned the Washington native in their careers. Morales has managed nine hits, including five for extra bases, in 15 at-bats. As well, Solarte has hit a double and home run in three career at-bats. However, Devon Travis has struggled against the starter, producing just one hit in seven at-bats.

Next: Blue Jays: Ryan Goins designated for assignment by Royals

The Blue Jays will look to make it two in a row against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Sam Gaviglio will look to outduel his former college teammate in Matt Boyd. The Blue Jays offence will look to capitalize more than they did on Friday night.