Today’s doubleheader features two of the more surprising teams in the Major Leagues this season. On one hand, the young Blue Jays have arrived and are holding their own despite losing one of their best players in Bo Bichette to injury. The Blue Jays felt so strongly about their playoff chances that they were buyers at the deadline, acquiring starting pitchers Robbie Ray and Ross Stripling to provide depth at starting pitcher, and shortstop Jonathan Villar to hold down the position until Bichette returns from the IL.
On the other hand, the Boston Red Sox are on their way to a last place finish in the AL East, and will be in the conversation for the top pick in the 2021 Draft. The culprits have been a combination of injuries and a depleted roster. When top starters Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez went down with injuries, the lack of pitching depth in the Red Sox organization pretty much guaranteed a down season. The result has been a starting rotation that has posted a 4-18 record and a 6.86 ERA.
This is the first game of a doubleheader due to a rainout on August 27 in Buffalo. The Red Sox will be the home team in game one, and the Blue Jays will be the home team in game two.
Tanner Roark, Jays Look to Start Double Dip with Win
The Toronto Blue Jays sit just 1.5 games out of the final wildcard position with a little less than a month to go. All games matter, and the Blue Jays are looking to Tanner Roark to get the Blue Jays started well in the first part of a doubleheader in Boston. Roark enters this start with a 6.65 FIP and a 1.778 WHIP. The high WHIP is the result of 11 H/9 rate and a 5 BB/9 rate. Roark has also been tagged for 2.3 HR/9, but faces a team that has only 44 homers on the season. Earlier this season, Roark struggled against the Red Sox, giving up four runs on three hits with five walks and one strikeout. Last time out, Roark recorded a no decision after giving up four runs in five innings against the Orioles.
Offensively, the Blue Jays are currently sixth in the Major Leagues in home runs hit, and they face off against a pitcher that has given up 2.5 HR/9. Leading the way for the Blue Jays is Teoscar Hernandez (.360 over past seven games), who has hit 12 home runs this season. Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. has slashed .312/.353/.545 on the road, while Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. has slashed .301/.369/.452 against right handed pitching this season.
Godley Hopes to Keep Blue Jays at Bay
The last time Toronto faced Zack Godley, the Blue Jays were held to just three hits in four innings. That start was Godley’s strongest of the season, and the Red Sox could use a repeat performance. In his last start, Godley lasted 4.2 innings, giving up five runs on eight hits in a no decision against the Nationals. Godley’s 6.68 FIP and 1.948 WHIP indicate a season of struggles for the right hander, who has been plagued with command issues.
Supporting Godley is the priority for the Red Sox offense, which has slashed .271/.332/.446 at home this season. The Red Sox average 4.9 runs per game in Fenway Park this season, and should have some success against Tanner Roark, who has been very hittable this season.
Mitch Moreland has slashed .342/.432/.798 at home with five home runs this season. Against right handers, Moreland has hit .322 with eight home runs. Alex Verdugo has been hot recently, hitting .387 with a .406 OBP over the past seven games.
Notable Trends
- Boston: 4-2 in last six against Toronto
- Boston: N/A
- Toronto: 5-2 in last seven games
- Toronto: 2-4 in last six against Boston
