On Canada Day, Blue Jays’ Kiermaier ‘excited’ for what’s ahead

Baseball

Published 01.07.2023

On Canada Day, Blue Jays’ Kiermaier ‘excited’ for what’s ahead

TORONTO – Back in spring coaching, when Kevin Kiermaier was familiarizing himself with the Blue Jays group, his new teammates highlighted just a few moments the place fan help would doubtless be felt most intensely.

Opening Day will probably be nuts, they advised him. Visiting Seattle will really feel like a house sequence. And then there’s July 1.

“Everyone always circles back to Canada Day and how big of a deal it is,” Kiermaier mentioned. “I’m really excited. Playing in front of 40,000 is something you dream of, but especially under these circumstances. First time busting out the red unis all year. Everyone’s excited.”

A yr in the past this time, when 44,445 packed Rogers Centre to see the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Rays, 9-2, Kiermaier was the truth is right here for the expertise as a customer. With one other sellout crowd anticipated, numerous pageantry deliberate and a sport with vital stakes within the AL East, there’s as soon as once more numerous intrigue on Saturday.

“I’m super excited to wear the red jerseys and I know Canada Day’s a huge deal, and rightfully so,” Kiermaier mentioned. “Everyone comes to the park with a lot of energy and a lot of excitement. I’m excited to be a home player for it and experience my first one.”

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Before the sport, which has a 3:07 p.m. ET / midday PT begin, the Blue Jays will play a recorded land acknowledgment on their video board, as they do earlier than each residence sport. There can even be a pregame citizenship ceremony during which new Canadians from Brazil, China, England, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal and the United States will take a citizenship oath on the sector earlier than throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

The Canadian theme had an opportunity to final into the sport itself, however Ladner, B.C., native James Paxton pitched Friday somewhat than Saturday, persevering with his spectacular bounce-back season with 7.2 shutout innings on the best way to a 5-0 Red Sox win.

“It was awesome,” mentioned Paxton, who missed the 2022 season with a torn lat. “I’m just grateful to be out on the mound … and it’s fun to be pitching in Canada.”

Five years in the past, Paxton no-hit the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre whereas pitching for the Mariners. And as this weekend drew nearer, the potential for a Canada Day begin opened some eyes.

“Big Maple. I’m surprised they didn’t have him lined up to pitch tomorrow,” Blue Jays supervisor John Schneider joked earlier than Friday’s sport. “Come on, (Alex) Cora.”

“Hopefully, it’s fun for him getting back and having a double-double or two,” Schneider added.

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Meanwhile, Nick Pivetta, one other Canadian pitcher on the Red Sox workers, was considering alongside comparable traces.

“He was hoping they’d push me back a day so I’d be pitching Canada Day,” Paxton mentioned. “But I was happy to pitch today.”

As it seems, Paxton’s keep in Toronto will probably be temporary. While his Boston teammates face Canadian-born Jordan Romano, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the remainder of the Blue Jays, Paxton will journey to be along with his spouse, who’s anticipated to provide beginning within the coming days.

Instead, it’ll be Kutter Crawford who begins reverse Yusei Kikuchi on Saturday. And the place Paxton has had some career-defining moments in Toronto, it’ll be the primary time pitching right here for Crawford, who was positioned on the restricted checklist forward of video games in Toronto final yr when cross-border journey was extra closely regulated.

Regardless, these video games are vital for 2 groups separated by simply 4.0 video games within the American League East standings. As the Blue Jays transfer into the second half of the season, intra-divisional video games do tackle added significance – particularly with the Red Sox undefeated towards the Blue Jays this yr.

“This is the first time I’d say a little bit, yeah,” Schneider mentioned. “Every series is important, but when you’re looking at a team in your division and one spot below, you want to separate yourself.”

If Kiermaier’s capable of take the sector for the primary time since Sunday, it’ll be simpler to create that separation. Back spasms have derailed his week, impacting his respiratory and strolling early within the week earlier than enhancing significantly with time and remedy.

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Ben Nicholson-Smith is Sportsnet’s baseball editor. Arden Zwelling is a senior author. Together, they carry you probably the most in-depth Blue Jays podcast within the league, protecting off all the most recent news with opinion and evaluation, in addition to interviews with different insiders and group members.

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After just a few full days off, the 33-year-old joined his teammates on the sector for batting follow and fielding workout routines Friday and was obtainable off the bench if wanted. Already, his again feels “much better than what it was,” although slight soreness lingers.

“Things might pop up during the season,” Kiermaier mentioned. “I want to be out there, but sometimes you have to unfortunately let time run its course and get everything settled down. But I’m much happier (now) and ready to go.”

If that progress continues, a full of life residence crowd could have the possibility to point out No. 39 what it means to play in Toronto on Canada Day.