Toronto’s three-game winning streak came to an end in chaotic fashion Saturday night, as the Blue Jays fell 8–7 to the San Diego Padres. Despite the loss, Toronto remains just 1.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot with one game remaining before the All-Star break. On game preview 96 of Flight Deck, hosted by Cody Gaudreault, we break down a frustrating night for the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. Toronto issued 11 walks, including seven from Trey Yesavage in just 1.2 innings, as neither team’s starting pitcher made it through the second inning. How concerned should the Blue Jays be about Yesavage’s command moving forward? The offence did everything it could to keep Toronto in the game. Jonatan Clase launched a two-run home run, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tied the game with a massive three-run shot in the sixth inning. Could this be the performance that finally helps Guerrero break out of his extended slump? Unfortunately, the tie did not last long. Ty France answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Padres held on to even the series. We’ll discuss Toronto’s inability to complete the comeback and whether the pitching staff wasted one of the offence’s strongest performances of the season. Looking ahead, Kevin Gausman takes the mound against Germán Márquez in the rubber match. Gausman enters with a 4–8 record and a 4.32 ERA, while Márquez is 4–2 with a 5.02 ERA. Can Gausman steady the pitching staff, rescue the series and send the Blue Jays into the All-Star break with some momentum? Finally, with Toronto sitting at 45–50 but still only 1.5 games outside of a playoff spot, what will this final game of the first half mean for Ross Atkins and the club’s approach ahead of the trade deadline? We finish with Cody’s picks presented by bet365. LIVE every game day one hour before first pitch right here on the Blue Jays Nation YouTube channel and on Instagram @BlueJaysNation. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flight Deck. Thanks to our partners: bet365: http://www.bet365.ca Table Fare + Social: https://www.tablefoodhall.com/ #BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNation #FlightDeck
","author_name":"The Nation Network"}