A supposed light stretch of the schedule is off to a rocky start for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The pressure only increases this week against the visiting Washington Nationals after Toronto dropped two of three over the weekend to the light-hitting Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre to fall further behind the playoff line.
The series against Washington is the second of five in a row for Toronto against teams with losing records.
But the Nationals, like the Guardians, don’t figure to be a pushover after playing some of their best baseball of the season in recent weeks.
Here’s a look at the series.
Probable Pitchers
Monday, 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Kevin Gausman (9-8, 3.23 ERA) vs. Washington RHP Josiah Gray (7-10, 3.85 ERA)
Tuesday, 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (9-9, 3.55 ERA) vs. Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-10, 4.38 ERA)
Wednesday, 3:07 p.m. ET / 12:07 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (12-7, 4.00 ERA) vs. Washington LHP Patrick Corbin (9-11, 4.70 ERA)
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Latest on the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays (71-60) suffered a painful 10-7 defeat in 11 innings against the Guardians on Sunday.
Shortstop Bo Bichette (right quad tightness) and third baseman Matt Champman (right middle finger inflammation) exited early and key reliever Erik Swanson (back) was placed on the 15-day IL before the game.
Bichette is considered day-to-day and Chapman is going for an MRI after missing three games earlier this month with the same finger problem after hurting himself in the weight room. Injury updates before Monday’s game will be interesting.
The loss dropped the Blue Jays 2.5 games behind the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros for the second and third wild-card spots in the American League.
Once again, Toronto struggled with execution on Sunday. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, a poor bunt by Cavan Biggio saw Danny Jansen get thrown out at third base after the catcher led off the inning with a double.
Latest on the Nationals
The Nationals (61-70) missed a chance at a three-game sweep after losing 2-1 to the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Still, Washington has won its past five series to climb out of the basement in the National League East.
The Nationals got two runners on in the ninth with one out in Sunday’s game before Jacob Young hit into a game-ending double play.
Despite the recent strong run, the Nationals appear destined to miss the playoffs for a fourth year in a row since winning the World Series with their fun Baby Shark anthem in 2019.
Washington is eight games out of a wild-card spot.
Power Surge
The Blue Jays’ lack of power has been a problem this season.
On that front, the team may have taken a step in the right direction this weekend.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer and upstart rookie Davis Schneider each had two homers apiece in the series.
Guerrero Jr.’s homer was his 20th, the first Blue Jay to hit that mark this season.
Marquee Matchup
The opener features two pitchers selected to their respective all-star teams this year — Gausman took a pass on the game to get some extra rest.
The Nationals acquired Gray, 25, from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a package for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in July 2021.
Gray played college baseball at Division II LeMoyne College in Syracuse, N.Y.
Blue Jays vs. Lefties
The Blue Jays face two left-handed starters this series, which gives Toronto another reason to keep Schneider in the lineup.
Toronto is tied for ninth in OPS versus left-handers this year.
Head to Head
The Blue Jays and Nationals last played in 2021 with Toronto winning one of two at home and losing a pair in Washington, despite the Nationals losing 97 games that year and Toronto finishing one game short of a playoff spot.
In an obscure note, the lone win was recorded by Toronto reliever Tommy Milone, who pitched 14 innings for the Blue Jays.
Out of Town
The most interesting series starting Monday for Blue Jays fans sees the Boston Red Sox hosting the Astros. Boston is two games behind Toronto.
The surging Seattle Mariners, who now have a slim lead on Houston and Texas in the AL West, continue an easy portion of their schedule at home against the Oakland A’s, while the struggling Rangers are in New York to face the Mets.
Up Next
After an off-day on Thursday, the Blue Jays begin a six-game road trip against the two worst teams in baseball with a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.
