The Toronto Blue Jays are coming off their first post-All-Star break series, and they suffered a bit of a scare. The team dropped a three-game set to the Oakland Athletics, and were at risk of getting swept until a clutch ninth-inning performance from Josh Donaldson lifted them to a 5–3 win on Sunday.
The Boys in Blue remain in Wild Card position, but they’ll be looking to make up the ground they lost in the battle for the American League East as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field for a two-game series.
Here’s what to watch for:
Tuesday, July 19 – 9:40 p.m. ET
Aaron Sanchez vs. Zack Godley
Wednesday, July 20 – 3:40 p.m. ET
Marcus Stroman vs. Patrick Corbin
Bouncing back
With the two losses in Oakland, the Blue Jays dropped to three games back of first in the division (though they picked up half a game following Baltimore’s loss on Monday). In a tight AL East, they’ll need to do better.
The good news here—on paper, at least—is that Arizona’s been having a rough year. Despite big spending in the off-season—including the acquisition of Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller (the latter via a much-criticized trade that sent top prospect Dansby Swanson to the Braves)—the team has struggled and currently sits dead last in the NL West with a 40-53 record, 17 games back of first.
That’s on paper, though. Victory is by no means guaranteed, especially considering the Jays’ difficulties in Oakland. Following the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks picked up a series win versus the Dodgers, and in Toronto’s last meeting with Arizona—in June at Rogers Centre—the teams split their two-game series.
Once again, the Jays will miss Zack Greinke, who’s been on the disabled list with a left oblique strain since June 29.
The Lone Amigo versus the Lesser Zack
Aaron Sanchez will make his first start since appearing in the All-Star Game, when he pitched in the fourth inning, allowing two hits and a walk.
The 24-year-old will be pitching on extended rest, having last started a game on July 9; he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings against the Detroit Tigers, getting the no-decision.
Will Sanchez soon be moved to the bullpen? He’s now at 118.1 innings pitched this season. Tuesday’s game is an opportunity to watch the right-hander as he takes on the Diamondbacks’ less formidable Zack, Zack Godley, who has made just two starts for the big club this season. The 26-year-old, who sports an ERA of 5.28, has taken over Shelby Miller’s spot in the rotation after Miller, struggling mightily, was demoted to triple-A.
Shopping players
The Diamondbacks recently traded closer Brad Ziegler to the Red Sox, and, given their position at the bottom of the division, it’s reasonable to expect that they’re not done selling.
Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart said recently that he’s unwilling to look at moving any of his starters—which means, no, he’s not dealing Greinke—but he has expressed a readiness to part with his relievers, in particular Tyler Clippard and Daniel Hudson.
The series in Phoenix presents an opportunity to get a peek at some arms who could feature in a few runs to the post-season if Stewart can find the right buyers.
Still figuring it out
Marcus Stroman’s most recent outing was an ugly one. The 25-year-old started the first game in Oakland, giving up six earned runs on nine hits and a walk over 4.2 innings. He’s now carrying an ERA of 5.15, and he’ll need to get it together, and soon, if the Jays are going to rely on him down the stretch.
But his opponent, Patrick Corbin, hasn’t been so hot either. The left-hander’s ERA is worse than Stroman’s at 5.25. His last win came against Toronto on June 21.
But wait, shouldn’t Marco Estrada be back by now?
He totally should be: With his DL stint backdated to his last start, Estrada was eligible to come off the DL on July 18. However, since Estrada’s back issues first flared up in the batter’s box during interleague play, the Jays are waiting until the team’s return to the safer confines of the American League to put Estrada back on the field. This way Estrada both gets a bit more rest and avoids dealing with the agony of life in a DH-less world.
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