Coming off back-to-back losses to the division-leading Baltimore Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to rebound when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a two-game interleague series beginning Tuesday. The D-backs are, in theory, a good palate cleanser: They’re fourth in the NL West and sporting a lousy record of 33-39 (the Jays currently sit third in the AL East, three games back of first with a record of 39-33).
The bad news for Toronto? Arizona has been trending upwards of late. After dropping a series to the Dodgers last week, the Diamondbacks swept the Phillies in a four-game series that saw them put up 10 home runs and 19 extra-base hits.
There’s good news, though: Toronto will avoid Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke, who, after a shaky start to the early season, has been impressive on the mound, posting an ERA of 1.13 over the past two weeks. Greinke’s return to form has been a major factor in Arizona’s successes; the rest of the team’s rotation has been suboptimal.
Projected starters
Tuesday, June 21 – 7:07 ET
Marco Estrada vs. Patrick Corbin
Wednesday, June 22 – 4:07 ET
J.A. Happ vs. Robbie Ray
The Ace
Marco Estrada has been nothing short of fantastic for the Blue Jays this season. The 32-year-old righty leads the AL in WHIP (.985), while his ERA of 2.58 comes in third.
He has allowed five hits or fewer in 10 consecutive starts (with a minimum of six innings pitched)—a streak he’ll be keen to continue versus Arizona.
Donaldson vs. Goldschmidt
When the Diamondbacks take the field at the Rogers Centre for the first time since 2004, fans will be eager for a closer look at Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and what he might do with his bat. The 28-year-old’s .425 on-base percentage leads MLB, while his 57 walks tie Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper for most in the majors.
Toronto third baseman Josh Donaldson, meanwhile, earned AL Player of the Week honours on Monday after going 12 for 27 with four doubles, a triple and nine RBI between June 11 and 17.
Surging Saunders
Donaldson isn’t the only Blue Jay whose offence has been sparkling of late. Slugger Edwin Encarnacion, who leads the majors in RBI with 61, currently sports an OPS+ of 130. And Michael Saunders is making the case for an all-star appearance with an OPS+ of 160 (no, that’s not a typo).
The British Columbia native is coming off a series versus the Orioles in which he notched a hat trick, hitting three homers in the series opener, a 13–3 victory for Toronto. The 29-year-old outfielder currently has 15 home runs (Encarnacion leads the team with 18, while Donaldson has 17).
Happ-y Days
After putting up 10 quality starts in his first 11 outings this season, Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ struggled against the Tigers and fell victim to the long ball against the Orioles (despite getting the win in the latter game). But the 33-year-old bounced back against the Phillies, allowing one unearned run on three hits over seven innings. He’ll try to put up another quality start as he faces off against the Diamondbacks, who’ll be sending lefty Robbie Ray to the mound. Ray has won his last two starts; he’s carrying an ERA of 4.44.
Finding his stuff?
Let’s get the ugly stuff out of the way first: Drew Storen has posted an ERA of 5.33 so far this season. There have been some cringe-worthy, bite-your-nails-and-look-away innings. But the 28-year-old has been quietly figuring it out, it seems.
Storen has allowed zero runs and just three hits over his last six innings pitched. After being the subject of trade rumours as recently as late May, the reliever could yet pitch his way back to the high-leverage role Toronto’s front office had in mind when they dealt for him.
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