White hot Blue Jays do battle against red hot Angels in “hot” weekend series

After an unfathomable yet meaningful sweep of the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays has suddenly catapulted themselves into the American League East division lead. The Blue Jays will now face the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game homestand this weekend at Rogers Centre. For two teams whom many didn’t expect much from this year, they have certainly defied the odds in recent weeks.

The Blue Jays, who were more than eight games out of the division lead just a month ago, played to a 16-10 record in June followed by a perfect 4-0 start so far in July. This has propelled the club into legitimate contending status once again. More significantly, they didn’t just do the winning against any pushovers, as they faced teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians and most recently the Yankees. 

White hot Blue Jays do battle against red hot Angels in “hot” weekend series

Coincidentally, the Angels have also been streaking as well, putting together a solid 15-11 record in June, while being winners of seven of their past 10 games. In doing so, Los Angeles has elevated themselves back into wild card contention as a result, as they hold a 43-43 record and sit two games back of the Seattle Mariners who holds the final playoff spot in the American League.

The Jays have been led by both young and veteran players with Addison Barger and George Springer leading the charge. During the past week, Barger has hit .346 with a 1.239 OPS with seven runs scored, three home runs and eight RBIs while the wily Springer has done even better, compiling a blistering .480 average, 1.527 OPS, along with nine runs scored, four home runs and 13 RBIs. Even Andrés Giménez appears to be revitalized in the leadoff spot, hitting close to .400 with eight RBIs in his past seven games before suffering an ankle injury.

The Angels have gotten their production from a young Jo Adell and veteran Taylor Ward. Adell has batted a strong .433 with 1.136 OPS, six runs scored, two home runs and eight RBIs in his last seven games. As for Ward, he has amassed a solid .273 average, .948 OPS, together with 11 runs scored, two home runs and 11 RBIs in his past 15 contests.

As for the pitching matchups, the Blue Jays will have Eric Lauer (4-1, 2.60 ERA) starting it off on Friday, following by Max Scherzer (0-0, 4.85 ERA) and Kevin Gausman (6-6, 4.18 ERA). For the Angels, their Friday starter is yet to be determined, followed by Jack Kochanowicz (3-8, 5.44 ERA) and Tyler Anderson (2-5, 4.12 ERA).

The last time that the Blue Jays played the Angels earlier this season, Los Angeles stole a couple of the games in the late innings in what was arguably the Jays’ bullpen worst stretch of the season. But with the way things have been going now, Toronto will make sure that won’t happen again as they look to continue their winnings ways this weekend.