Series Preview: Blue Jays at Guardians

Long time, no see, Canada

The Blue Jays come to Cleveland tonight for a weekend series after winning a series from the Guardians in Toronto last week.

Toronto is 35-39 with a -40 run differential (they promptly lost three in a row when Cleveland left), they are 21st in MLB with a 95 team wRC+, 25th in baserunning at -3.9 BSR, tops in Defensive WAR at 14.7, 15th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.06, and last in reliever FIP at 4.90.

Cleveland is 46-26 with a +94 run differential, ninth in MLB with 108 wRC+ as a team, 23rd in baserunning at -2.9 BSR, ninth in Defensive WAR at 0.2, 27th in starting pitcher FIP at 4.55, and first in reliever FIP at 2.76.

Matchups:

TBD vs. Carlos Carrasco, RHP Friday, June 21st, 2024, at 7:10PM EST

Analysis: Wouldn’t it be great to get one final glimpse of greatness from Cookie before Gavin Williams likely replaces him in the rotation? That’s what I’m going to hope for because his last few outings have been very poor, unfortunately.

Jose Berrios, RHP vs. Ben Lively, RHP Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 at 4:10PM EST

Analysis: Lively will look to get his great season back on track in what should be an extremely hot one in the mid afternoon in Cleveland. It’ll be important for Cleveland to make Berrios work and to actually get to a bad Blue Jays bullpen.

Yusei Kikuchi, LHP vs. Triston McKenzie, RHP Sunday, June 23rd, 2024 at 1:40PM EST

Analysis: Cleveland gets a look at a popular potential trade market piece in Kikuchi. Hopefully, they can drive down his asking price and McKenzie can right the ship in what’s been a tough stretch for him.