The Toronto Blue Jays (42-36) will take on the Cleveland Guardians (39-38) in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. ET at Progressive Field. The season series between these two teams is currently tied at 2-2.
In the series opener on Tuesday, the Blue Jays emerged victorious with a score of 10-6. George Springer played a pivotal role, hitting his 11th home run of the season and contributing 4 RBIs, while the 2-3-4-5 hitters combined for 9 hits in 18 at-bats, driving in 7 runs. This win ended a rough stretch for the Jays, who had lost three out of their last four games.
For the Guardians, the 6 runs marked their highest output in the past 10 games, but they struggled to recover from the Blue Jays’ powerful offensive display. Players like Kyle Manzardo, Carlos Santana, and Lane Thomas each hit home runs in the matchup. Currently, the Guardians are 9½ games behind the Detroit Tigers, who have become the first MLB team to reach 50 wins this season.
The projected starters for Wednesday are RHP Max Scherzer for the Blue Jays and RHP Gavin Williams for the Guardians. Scherzer, still working his way back from injury, has a current ERA of 6.00 but showcased his potential during a rehab assignment with a 2.08 ERA. He faced the Guardians earlier this season, managing a no-decision while allowing no earned runs.
Williams, on the other hand, has a solid season so far with a 3.58 ERA and an impressive strikeout rate, though he also faces challenges with walks, averaging 5.0 per nine innings. His performances against Toronto have also been consistent, boasting a 1.64 ERA in two previous matchups.
As for the betting odds, the Blue Jays are underdogs at +100, while the Guardians are favored at -120. The run line sees the Blue Jays at -1.5 (+155) and the Guardians at +1.5 (-185). The over/under for the game is set at 8 runs, suggesting a potential for high scoring given the offensive capabilities displayed thus far.
In terms of predictions, the Blue Jays may have the edge, estimated to win 6-3, as their hitters are historically effective against Williams, and the Guardians’ inconsistent batting could pose problems. With favorable weather conditions expected and both pitchers facing challenges, fans can anticipate an exciting matchup.
Overall, the Blue Jays are showing resilience and have the capability to capitalize on the Guardians’ struggles, while Cleveland will need to find ways to improve their offensive consistency.