Toronto Blue Jays vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 3 key players to watch June 17-19

After gaining some much-needed momentum during the past few weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays saw their winning ways come to a crashing halt this past weekend as they were swept by the Philadelphia Phillies. Both their offense and reliable pitching went cold, as the Jays were outscored by a whopping margin of 22-6. Toronto will look to get back on track as they return home to begin a six-game homestand starting on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks come to town on a high note, having previously won five straight before dropping the finale on Sunday to the San Diego Padres. Despite their recent success, Arizona still find themselves barely keeping pace with the rest of the National League in the playoff race.

Any time the Jays and Diamondbacks match up with each other, it will instantly draw interest in each of their fanbases, as the two teams will forever be tied together after their blockbuster Daulton Varsho trade from three years ago. Varsho will be unavailable for this series due to his left hamstring strain, but there will be three key players to watch that could determine the outcome of the three-game set.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: 3 key players to watch

Gabriel Moreno

Gabriel Moreno was the main building piece the Diamondbacks received when they sent Varsho to Toronto. His eventual success will ultimately determine who won the trade. Moreno has steadily established himself as Arizona’s catcher of the future as he had been given the majority of the starts behind the plate during the past couple of seasons.

He has posted a career .278 mark along with a .740 OPS. Moreno does not figure to be the next Ivan Rodríguez just yet, as he's averaging just single-digit home runs and close to 50 RBIs each year and his power production has left a lot to be desired, yet the potential is there. 

This season, the 25-year-old catcher has been hot and cold, having a strong month of May sandwiched between two more pedestrian months in April and June. In addition, the Blue Jays have gotten the best of Moreno so far in their head-to-head matchups, holding him to just two hits in 15 total plate appearances, although one of the hits was a home run. Moreno could have some extra motivation to play against the team that dealt him away which could kickstart the former MLB top 10 prospect once again.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

As for the other piece moved in the blockbuster trade, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has certainly held his own in a Diamondbacks uniform. Hitting at a yearly 20-home run, 80 RBI pace with a solid average and improving significantly in his defense since the trade, Gurriel had helped the Diamondbacks reach the World Series already in 2023, and just barely missed out on a playoff spot in 2024. With the Jays desperately looking for a power-hitting outfielder during the past couple of seasons, they likely miss having Gurriel as a key member of their everyday lineup. 

This year, the 31-year-old outfielder has heated up after a slow start to the season. Since the beginning of May, Gurriel has hit at a .309 clip, along with an .866 OPS, 15 runs scored, six home runs and 23 RBIs. In his limited time facing his old team, he has managed to post a solid .333 average with three runs scored in five total games against the Blue Jays. With his recent hot streak, Gurriel will look to continue his solid showing against his former club this week.

George Springer

Following an uncharacteristic down year in 2024 with the Blue Jays, star outfielder George Springer was looking to redeem himself with a big year. Springer appeared well on his way to accomplishing just that after batting a stellar .316 with a .960 OPS, together with 14 runs scored, eight doubles, four home runs and 15 RBIs in his first 32 games of the year.

However, in his next 34 games, he would hit a little bump in the road as he maintained his run production numbers with 21 runs scored, six home runs and 16 RBIs, but his hitting average during that stretch was below the Mendoza Line at just .191.

The arrival of the Diamondbacks could be the perfect antidote for Springer, as he has compiled a career .403 average, 1.126 OPS, along with a whopping 31 runs scored, eight home runs and 22 RBIs in just 31 career games against Arizona. Springer is the right guy to take this Blue Jays team out of their recent offensive funk and get them mashing once again.