The Toronto Blue Jays are keeping the pressure on in the American League playoff race after beating the Baltimore Orioles 7-3, moving to just 1.0 game back of the Cleveland Guardians.
The Jays’ offence came through early to support another bullpen day, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting things started with an RBI double before Alejandro Kirk singled him home. Then the power started to show up. Brett Bateman launched his second home run in as many days in the third inning, followed by a two-run blast from Kirk to make it 5-0. Andrés Giménez and Ernie Clement added to the lead as Toronto never looked back.
John Schneider’s bullpen game was masterful, with Spencer Miles opening the game and throwing two scoreless innings while striking out five. Spencer Arrighetti then bounced back from a pair of rough outings, working 2.2 innings and allowing just one unearned run to help keep Baltimore off the scoreboard. The other arms that featured included Jow Mantiply, Paul Sewald, Tyler Rogers, Mason Fluharty, and closed off by Louis Varland.
Now, the Blue Jays turn to their ace, Dylan Cease, with a chance to win a critical series and put even more pressure on the Cleveland Guardians. Cease will be looking for a bounce-back performance after a tough outing in Sacramento against the A’s, while the Orioles counter with left-hander Trevor Rogers, who was dominant in his previous start against Cleveland.
Can the Blue Jays keep their playoff hopes alive and continue their push up the standings, or will the Orioles spoil the party in Toronto?
We finish with Nick’s picks presented by bet365.
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