Blue Jays vs. Rockies Preview: Toronto hopes their trade deadline acquisitions help change their recent fortunes

Lost in all of the excitement surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays trade acquisitions made at the deadline had been the fact that the Blue Jays have actually been in a bit of a slump. With Sunday’s gut-wrenching loss to the Kansas City Royals in extra innings, Toronto has lost consecutive series for the first time since the beginning of May when they fell to the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays in back-to-back matchups.

Nevertheless, despite their recent skid, the Blue Jays (65-48) currently still maintain a healthy three-game lead over the second-place Boston Red Sox in the AL East. Toronto will now head on the road out west to face the MLB basement-dwelling Colorado Rockies (30-81) for a three-game set starting on Monday.

Blue Jays vs. Rockies Preview: Toronto hopes their trade deadline acquisitions help change their recent fortunes

So far, the Blue Jays acquisitions from the trade deadline have made their presence felt, both good and bad, since joining the organization. For flamethrower Seranthony Domínguez, who came over in the Baltimore Orioles trade that took place in the middle of their doubleheader, he reeled off three straight scoreless appearances while securing two holds before his blowup on Sunday where he failed to register a single out in the process.

As for former Minnesota Twins bullpen stalwart Louis Varland, he tossed an impressive scoreless inning in his debut for the Jays this past Friday before giving up the game-tying run to the Royals with two outs in the eighth inning on Sunday that ultimately led to the Jays’ loss. From the offensive standpoint, Ty France has put on display some solid exit velocities in his at-bats so far, but has managed only one hit in eight at-bats with Toronto to date.

The Blue Jays shouldn’t need to worry too much as once these players get accustomed to their new team, they should be able to provide some valuable contributions down the stretch. As for the eventual arrival of former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber, he is expected to make his debut soon which could come as soon as this coming week.

In terms of the pitching matchups against the Rockies, the Blue Jays will have Eric Lauer (6-2, 2.68 ERA) to start things off against Colorado’s starter Tanner Gordon (2-3, 4.85 ERA) on Monday. They will be followed by the duel between the Jays’ José Berríos (7–4, 3.84 ERA) and the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland (2-11, 5.26 ERA) on Tuesday. Finally, Jays’ ace Kevin Gausman (7-8, 3.99 ERA) takes the ball in the finale, whereas the Rockies have yet to announce their starter for Wednesday.

Hopefully, by facing MLB’s worst team this season, the Blue Jays can get themselves back on track before their division rivals gain any more ground on them in the battle for the Amercian League East title.