The Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox continue their weekend series on Saturday in Boston. The two teams are jockeying for both playoff positioning and positioning behind the New York Yankees in the ultra-competitive AL East Division. The pitching matchup for Saturday will feature all-star righty Alek Manoah (10-4, 2.28) of the Blue Jays taking on rookie righty Kutter Crawford (2-2, 4.50) of the Red Sox. Game time is scheduled for 410pm EST.
The Blue Jays turned things around at the end of the first half after suffering through a stretch in which the team lost five of six games. Returning home, the Jays reverses their fortunes by winning five of six games to close the first half. The Blue Jays start the second half in 3rd place in the AL East and with a 2-game lead over 4th place Boston heading into Friday's series opener. On Friday night, the Blue Jays offense came alive to destroy Red Sox pitching in a 28-5 drubbing. Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had a team-record 6 hits and five RBI to lead a Blue Jays attack that set team records for runs, 28, and hits, 29, in a single game. Toronto scored 4, 7 and then 11 runs in the 3rd through 5th innings to put the game on ice.
Two Worldwide Stars ???? @alejandro_kirk x #BadBunny pic.twitter.com/5pBk30fuNw
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 22, 2022
The Blue Jays have utilized a strong everyday lineup, ranking 8th in baseball in runs per game. The Jays are also 4th in slugging, 3rd in on base percentage and 8th in home runs per game. They scored six or more runs in three of their final five games before the break as well. On the mound on Saturday afternoon will be Alek Manoah. Manoah made the American League All-Star team on the strength of a 10-4 first half record and an impressive 15 quality starts out of 18. He also leads the Jays in innings, WHIP, WAR and ERA. In July, Manoah is 1-2 with a 3.15 ERA in four starts. Manoah has faced Boston twice this season and is 1-0 with a 1.77 ERA thus far against the BoSox.