Series Preview: Blue Jays fans ready for annual Seattle takeover

Western Canadian followers determine to be out in full power for the Toronto Blue Jays‘ annual sequence in Seattle this weekend.

The enjoyable has already began. Earlier this week, the Mariners’ group retailer showcased some Blue Jays merchandise, presumably to pique the curiosity of Canadian followers, earlier than Seattle gamers Paul Sewald and J.P. Crawford criticized the transfer.

The retailer later eliminated the Blue Jays gear from outstanding show in images displayed by Twitter customers.

Nevertheless, it gained’t cease Blue Jays followers from doing their half to show Seattle into Toronto West.

Here’s a have a look at the sequence.

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Probable Pitchers

Friday, 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT: Toronto LHP Yusei Kikuchi (7-3, 4:13 ERA) vs. Seattle RHP Bryce Miller (6-3, 3.66 ERA)

Saturday, 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Kevin Gausman (7-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. Seattle RHP Logan Gilbert (8-5, 3.65 ERA)

Sunday, 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Alek Manoah (2-8, 6.18 ERA) vs. Seattle RHP Bryan Woo (1-2, 4.74 ERA)

All video games on Sportsnet and SN NOW.

Latest on the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays (54-43) averted a three-game sweep by the hands of the San Diego Padres with a 4-0 win within the finale on Thursday at Rogers Centre.

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Chris Bassitt pitched six innings of shutout ball earlier than Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk gave the bullpen some respiration room with dwelling runs within the seventh and eighth inning, respectively.

Toronto managed simply six runs within the sequence in opposition to the Padres, which explains why the Blue Jays’ three-series win streak got here to an finish.

There was good news earlier than Thursday’s sport, too, because the Blue Jays confirmed Gausman can be good to go for Saturday after being sidelined because the all-star break with left aspect discomfort. Gausman had 13 strikeouts in opposition to the Mariners in April.

The Blue Jays are third within the AL East, 5.5 video games behind the front-running Baltimore Orioles. Toronto is tied with the Houston Astros for second within the wild-card race.

Latest on the Mariners

The Mariners (48-48) earned a break up of a four-game sequence with the visiting Minnesota Twins with a 5-0 win on Thursday.

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All-star starter George Kirby matched his profession excessive with 10 strikeouts over seven innings.

Former Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, despatched to the Mariners within the low season commerce for reliever Erik Swanson, notched his team-leading sixteenth homer of the season for Seattle.

The commerce has helped either side. Swanson has been one of many higher relievers for an improved Toronto bullpen.

Overall, it hasn’t been an awesome season for the Mariners, who will want a giant surge to make the playoffs after sweeping the Blue Jays in final yr’s wild-card sequence.

The Mariners are fourth within the AL West, 9.5 video games behind the division-leading Texas Rangers. They are additionally 5.5 video games out of a wild-card spot.

That Hurts

Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic was positioned on the 10-day injured listing on Thursday, someday after breaking his foot whereas kicking a water cooler following a strikeout in Wednesday’s loss.

Kelenic was emotional discussing the incident with reporters.

“I made a mistake. I let the emotions get the best of me there. I just feel terrible, especially for the guys,” Kelenic mentioned. “I just let the emotions get the best of me and I just let them down and take full responsibility for it. It’s on me. It just can’t happen.”

There is not any timetable for Kelenic’s return. He’s hitting .252 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 90 video games.

Sadness in Seattle

While the Blue Jays all the time get a lift from the inflow of followers in Seattle, it didn’t go so effectively for the group in final yr’s sequence.

The Mariners swept the Blue Jays in a four-game sequence in July, together with a pair of one-run victories within the remaining two contests.

Three days later, after the group had returned dwelling, the Blue Jays fired supervisor Charlie Montoyo and changed him with John Schneider.

Season Series

The Blue Jays took two out of three in opposition to the Mariners in April at Rogers Centre, falling one strike in need of a sweep.

Dalton Varsho had an RBI single within the tenth for a 1-0 Blue Jays victory within the center sport earlier than the Mariners rallied to tie the finale within the ninth after which gained it within the tenth on Cal Raleigh’s second homer of the day.

Raleigh has been an issue for the Blue Jays. Including the 2 post-season video games from final October, the catcher has eight hits, 4 dwelling runs and 9 RBIs in his final 5 video games in opposition to the Blue Jays. 

Derby Duel

After squaring off in opposition to 2022 Home Run Derby winner Juan Soto within the Padres sequence, 2023 champ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. faces one other derby rival within the ballpark the place he gained the competitors earlier this month.

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Mariners star Julio Rodriguez misplaced to Guerrero on this yr’s semifinals in Seattle.

The reigning AL rookie of the yr has 13 dwelling runs this yr. Guerrero has 15.

Canadian Corner

Mariners reliever Matt Brash, a local of Kingston, Ont., has allowed only one hit in 5.1 innings of labor in July. He has struck out 9 and walked two.

The 25-year-old Brash picked up his first and solely profession save to this point within the sequence in Toronto.

Homecoming for Kikuchi

Kikuchi, an ex-Mariner, makes his first begin in Seattle since signing a three-year cope with the Blue Jays earlier than the 2022 season.

Kikuchi, who began his major-league profession with Seattle in 2019, was an all-star in 2021 earlier than his numbers took a dramatic dip within the second half of that season.

After struggling final yr, Kikuchi has proven enchancment as Toronto’s fifth starter this season.

Up Next

The Blue Jays conclude their west coast journey with a three-game sequence in opposition to the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning Monday.

— With recordsdata from The Associated Press.

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