The Toronto Blue Jays, fresh off a strong performance against the Colorado Rockies, faced a challenging opponent in the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday night. The Blue Jays lost the series opener 5-1 on the road but are eager to bounce back in Game 2 of the series on Saturday.
Fans can catch live coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+. Chris Bassitt will take the mound for the Blue Jays, looking to replicate his impressive outing against the Kansas City Royals where he allowed just one hit and one run over six innings. Bassitt currently holds an 11-5 record with a 4.12 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 129 innings this season.
The Blue Jays, leading the American League with a record of 68-49, have enjoyed a strong offensive showing recently, having achieved franchise records with 63 hits and 45 runs in their sweep against the Rockies. However, the Dodgers present a tougher challenge, having a solid team performance with their stars stepping up. Mookie Betts contributed significantly with a two-run homer while Shohei Ohtani had a stellar game with three hits.
Toronto’s offensive lineup showed promise as well, with Daulton Varsho delivering a strong performance, going 3-for-4. Other key contributors included Addison Barger and Ty France, who each added two hits. Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to lead the team with 18 home runs this season, and Bo Bichette is also in fine form with a strong performance over his last 10 games.
As the Blue Jays strive to maintain their lead in the division, they sit three games ahead of the second-place Boston Red Sox and 6.5 games clear of the New York Yankees. The series at Dodger Stadium wraps up on Sunday, after which the Blue Jays will return to Toronto for a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers beginning next Tuesday.
With the talent in their lineup, the Blue Jays remain hopeful for a turnaround in their upcoming games, aiming to solidify their playoff position as the season progresses.