TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays had their six-game winning streak snapped on Sunday, losing by a 10-8 final to the Mariners in 10 innings…Dropped to 3-1 in extra-inning contests this year and 4-5 in series finales. Toronto has still won eight of its last 11 games and 17 of its last 24…Toronto’s 18 wins before the month of May are the most in a single season in franchise history, while the .643 win% is 3rd-best, trailing only 1992 (.696%) and 1985 (.650%).
BICHETTE HAPPENS: Bo Bichette crushed a three-run home run in the 2nd inning on Sunday afternoon, his 6th longball of the year…The ball travelled 460 feet to center field, the 2nd-longest homer of his career, trailing only his 468-foot blast on June 12, 2021 at Fenway Park…Also notched a single in the bottom of the 6th inning, part of a 2-for-6 day…His 10 multi-hit games this year are tied for 4th most among AL batters. Has gone 38-for-120 (.317) with five doubles, six homers, and 18 RBI while playing in all 28 games this season…The 38 hits are tied with teammate Matt Chapman for the most in the AL (T-4th in MLB)… Among AL batters, currently ranks 4th in AVG and 5th in total bases (56)…His 38 knocks before the month of May are tied for the 4th most in franchise history, just three off Melky Cabrera’s all-time record (41 in 2014).
APRIL POWERS: Matt Chapman singled, doubled twice, and drove in a pair of runs yesterday, finishing the game 3-for-5 for his AL-leading 5th three-hit game of the year…His 15 doubles and 20 extra-base hits are both the most in the Majors, and are both the most ever by a Toronto player entering the month of May. The 30-year old is now batting .384 (38-for-99) with 15 doubles, five homers, 14 walks, and 21 RBI…Ranks 1st in the AL in batting average, OBP (.465), SLG (.687), OPS (1.152), and total bases (68), while sitting tied for 1st in hits (38) and tied for 8th in RBI… Also continues to lead all MLB hitters in barrel rate (21.1%), is 2nd in average exit velocity (96.2 MPH), and 2nd in hard-hit (95+ MPH) percentage (65.8).
GET ON WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield led off the bottom of the 7th inning on Sunday with a single, part of a 1-for-4 day…Has reached base safely in each of his 21 games this year, the 4th-longest on-base streak to begin a season in franchise history…Has batted .320 (24-for-75) this year with seven doubles, 10 RBI, and seven walks… His 21 game on-base stretch is the 2nd-longest active streak in the AL (4th in MLB)…Is the 5th-longest on-base streak of his career (last: 23G from June 20-July 17, 2019).
DANNY’S DISH: Danny Jansen gets the start behind the plate tonight in Boston…Has caught three consecutive shutouts, joining Gregg Zaun (2007) and Ernie Whitt (1983) as the only backstops in team history to do so…Neither Zaun nor Whitt caught a 4th straight shutout…Jansen’s
28.0 consecutive scoreless innings streak is the 3rdlongest in team history (1st: Zaun – 37.0 IP in 2007).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Blue Jays are kicking off a 10-day, nine-game road trip with four contests in Boston, three in Pittsburgh (20-9), and two in Philadelphia (15-14)…Their 16 road games played are tied with four other clubs for the most in the AL…Own a 9-7 road record this year, tied for the 4th-best road win % among AL teams. Blue Jays hitters lead the AL in road hits (144) while ranking 3rd in road AVG (.255), 5th in OBP (.325), 5th in SLG (.410), and 5th in OPS (.735)…The pitching staff ranks 8th in the AL in road WHIP (1.30), 11th in road ERA (4.83), and 11th in road opponents’ batting average (.254).
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 248 hits so far this season, 3rd most in the AL…Are also 3rd in the AL in team batting average (.258), T-4th in OBP (.333), 6th in OPS (.741), and 7th in SLG (.408). Toronto’s offence has racked up at least 10 hits on 13 occasions this year, trailing only Tampa Bay (16) for the most in MLB…Since the start of 2022, the Blue Jays have 79 such games, four more than any other team (MIN – 75). The Blue Jays are one of just four AL teams who have scored a run in every game this season (BAL, HOU, and LAA)…Have gone 46 consecutive games without being shut out, the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (LAD – 70G).
YOU GOT TO BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’: Blue Jays starters during the last 11 games have allowed 11 runs over 69.1 innings for a 1.43 ERA…Have given up 40 hits and 19 walks while fanning 75 hitters for a .166 opponents’ average and a 0.85 WHIP…Have recorded an AL-high 15 quality starts this season, trailing only Pittsburgh (18) for the most in the Majors.
NO IN BETWEEN: Toronto pitchers have now either allowed four-or-fewer runs or eight-or-more runs in all 28 games this season…According to Stats Perform, this is the 2ndlongest such streak in the Wild Card era (since 1995), trailing only Cleveland in 2019 (39G).
VS. THE RED SOX: All-Time: 320-382
2022: 16-3 Road: 166-188
Road: 8-1 Fenway Park: 166-188
The Blue Jays went 16-3 vs. the Red Sox last season, their most wins vs. a single opponent in a season all-time (15 vs. BAL in 2002 and 2010)…Outscored Boston 125-55 for a run differential of +70, their highest ever in a season vs. one opponent (+69 vs. BAL in 2021)…Toronto has won eight straight games at Fenway Park, the 2nd-longest road winning streak against a single opponent in franchise history (15G at BOS from Aug. 11, 1987-Aug. 16, 1989). Whit Merrifield is a lifetime .402 (51-for-127) hitter against the Red Sox, the 2nd-highest average ever against Boston (min. 100 AB), trailing only Will Clark’s .403 mark…Has recorded multiple hits in 15 of his 31 career games against the Red Sox. George Springer batted .380 (27-for-71) with six extra-base hits and 16 RBI in 18 games against the Red Sox last season, including hitting safely in each of the last 11 contests…Over 54 career meetings, has gone 68-for-209 (.325) with nine doubles, three triples, 13 homers, and 41 RBI (.998 OPS). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 21-for-71 (.296) in 18 games vs. BOS last year, notching six doubles, two homers, and 14 RBI…In 33 career games at Fenway Park, has batted .339 (42-for-124) with 15 extra-base hits and 27 RBI for a .996 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER – José Berríos, RHP #17
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 6th start of the season and his 4th on the road…Worked 7.0 shutout frames his last time out on 4/25 vs. CWS, scattering 4 singles and a walk with a season-high 9 strikeouts…Completed 7.0 innings in consecutive starts for the 13th time in his career (last: 3G from 6/4-
15/22)…Has allowed 3 runs over his last 3 starts, posting a 1.42 ERA (3 ER/19.0 IP) with a pair of walks and 18 punchouts. Has made 145 starts since the beginning of 2018, tied for the 3rd most among MLB hurlers (Aaron Nola – 149, Gerrit Cole – 146).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Took the loss on 4/19 at HOU, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk over 7.0 frames with 3 strikeouts…Was his 1st quality start of the year. Picked up his 1st win of the year on 4/14 vs. TB, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, no walks, and 6 strikeouts…Was removed from the game with a left knee contusion after being hit by a comebacker from Yandy Díaz. Lost his 2nd game of the year on 4/8 at LAA, surrendering 6R/4ER over 4.0+ frames with 6 hits, a walk, and 5 strikeouts (71 pitches – 43 strikes). Took the loss in his season debut on 4/3 at KC, giving up 8 runs on 9 hits and a pair of walks over 5.2 innings with 7 strikeouts.
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox are 10-6 in their last 16 games, dating back to 4/14, tied for the 3rd-best record in the AL and 6th best in MLB during that span. The Red Sox have posted 15+ wins before May for the 7th time in the last 20 seasons…They made the Postseason in each of the previous 6 instances, including each of their last 4 World Series championship seasons (2021, ‘18, ‘13, ‘08, ‘07, ‘04).
SERIES BUSINESS: The Red Sox won the 3-game series vs. CLE from Friday-Sunday, 2-1, to improve to 6-3-0 in series play, including 4-1-0 at home. Last season, the Sox went 1-7-1 in their first 9 series and did not earn their 6th series win until 6/5 (began 5-8-3).
RED SOX THROUGH 29 GAMES
Stat 2022 2023
W-L 10-19 15-14
Runs scored 95 163
Home runs 16 37
AVG .228 .257
OPS .621 .769
Walks 65 103
HOME COOKING: The Red Sox are 7-3 over their last 10 home games, winning each of their last 3 home series (3-1 vs. LAA, 2-1 vs. MIN, 2-1 vs. CLE). The Sox have scored 92 runs on 152 hits (59 XBH) in their 16 home games…Their 3.7 XBH/game rank 3rd in MLB, while their 5.8 runs/game and 9.5 hits/ game at home rank 4th. At home, the Sox lead the AL in AVG (.273), rank 3rd in OBP (.347), and rank 4th in SLG (.447) and OPS (.794).
SOX & JAYS: The Sox went 3-16 against the Jays last season, including 1-8 at Fenway Park…Prior to 2022, Boston had never lost more than 12 games to Toronto in a single season. The Red Sox have lost each of their last 9 games against the Blue Jays, beginning 7/22/22, their longest losing streak ever against the club. BOS has lost 8 consecutive games vs. TOR at Fenway Park, beginning 4/20/22…The last time any opponent had a longer winning streak at Fenway was TOR’s 15-game streak from 8/1/1987-8/16/1989.
SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox rank 3rd in MLB in runs scored (163)…In their last 16 games (beginning 4/14), they have averaged 5.8 runs per game with an .800 OPS. The Red Sox have hit 3 grand slams, tied with the Dodgers and Rangers for most in MLB…The Sox have had runners on base for 22 of their 37 home runs, 3rd-most in MLB (TEX-24, LAA-23).
RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat AL Rank
163 R 3rd
37 HR 5th
255 H 2nd
101 XBH 3rd
20.2 SO% 2nd
Stat AL Rank
.257 AVG 4th
.333 OBP 4th
.436 SLG 3rd
.769 OPS 3rd
9.2 BB% 4th
COMEBACK KIDS: The Red Sox have come from behind in 10 of their 15 wins, most in MLB. The Red Sox trailed by multiple runs in 5 of their 10 comeback wins, including by 4 runs on 4/15 vs. LAA and by 6 runs on 4/1 vs. BAL. The Sox have won 4 games in which they trailed after 7 innings, already matching their 2023 total (4-64).
CLUTCH TIME: The Red Sox have 3 walk-off wins this season, tied with BAL and DET for most in MLB. The Sox and Brewers are the only teams with multiple extra-inning wins and 0 losses in extras (both 2-0).
ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD: The Red Sox’ outfielders lead MLB in AVG (.303), hits (104), XBH (44), and RBI (67). The Sox’ outfielders rank 2nd in MLB in OBP (.371), SLG (.519), and OPS (.890).
RED SOX’ OUTFIELD RANKINGS
Stat 2022 (MLB Rank) 2023 (MLB Rank)
AVG .243 (16th) .303 (1st)
OBP .301 (24th) .371 (2nd)
SLG .375 (22nd) .519 (2nd)
OPS .676 (24th) .890 (2nd)
H 453 (7th) 104 (1st)
XBH 163 (T-8th) 44 (1st)
HR 39 (26th) 13 (T-8th)
RBI 218 (13th) 67 (1st)
MACHO MAN: Masataka Yoshida’s 10-game hitting streak enters today as the 2nd-longest active streak in MLB, trailing only TEX’s Robbie Grossman (11). During his streak, Yoshida is batting .410 with a 1.173 OPS, 7 runs, and 10 RBI (16-for-39, 3 2B, 3 HR, 4 BB, SF). In his first 23 career games, Yoshida has batted 4th in the lineup 18 times, 2nd twice, 6th twice, and 5th once.
FOREVER AND DEVERS: Rafael Devers leads the AL with 10 HR, one behind LAD’s Max Muncy and NYM’s Pete Alonso for the MLB lead. He tied David Ortiz (2006) and Hanley Ramirez (2015) for most HR in Red Sox history before May. Devers is the 3rd player since 2000 to record 27+ RBI for the Sox before May, joining Manny Ramirez (21 in 2001) and Mike Napoli (27 in 2013).
DEVERS’ AMERICAN LEAGUE RANKINGS
Stat AL
10 HR ……………………1st
27 RBI…………………… T-4th
46 hard-hit balls…….. T-4th
Stat AL
17 XBH……………………..T-2nd
63 total bases …………….T-3rd
.563 SLG …………………….. 7th
CLOSING TIME: The Red Sox have a 2.47 ERA in the 8th and 9th innings (14 ER/51.0 IP)…The Sox have out-scored opponents in those innings, 32-16. Boston leads MLB with a 1.24 ERA in the 8th inning (4 ER/29.0 IP). The Sox are 11-0 when leading after 6 innings.
MOST SAVES IN MLB HISTORY
Rk. Pitcher SV
- Mariano Rivera …..652
- Trevor Hoffman …..601
- Lee Smith …………..478
- Francisco Rodriguez..437
Rk. Pitcher SV - John Franco………..424
- Billy Wagner……….422
T7. Kenley Jansen .. 397
Craig Kimbrel ……..397
DON’T START WITH US: Starting pitchers have lasted fewer than 4.0 innings in 9 starts vs. BOS this season…No other team has eliminated the starting pitcher before they reached 4.0 innings more than 6 times. Starting pitchers have completed at least 6.0 innings against the Red Sox just 4 times this season, fewest of any team in MLB. The Red Sox faced a left-handed starting pitcher in 8 of their 9 games from 4/8-16…Since then, they have faced right-handed starters in 11 of their last 13 games.
CLOSE SHAVES: 20 of the Sox’ 29 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer (10-10)…The only teams with more such games are CLE (22), LAA (22), and SEA (21).
GOING NATIONAL: Following the current 4-game series vs. TOR, the Red Sox will face National League opponents in 6 of their next 8 series (17 of 23 games from 5/5-6/1) including each of their next 3 series (at PHI, at ATL, vs. STL). The Red Sox most games the Red Sox have ever played against NL opponents in a single calendar month is 10 (September 2020).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 28 COREY KLUBER – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 1-4 6.75 5 5 24.0 18 7 8 20 1.33 .250
CAREER 114-75 3.36 261 256 1610.2 602 167 355 1703 1.12 .238
Allowed 1 run in a season-high 6.0 innings on Tuesday at BAL (5 H, 0 BB, 3 SO)…It marked his 48th career start with 6.0+ IP and 0 BB. Snapped a career-long 5-start losing streak, which began with his final outing of 2022 with the Rays. This season, has held right-handed hitters to a .238 AVG/.756 OPS, compared to a .259 AVG/.902 OPS for left-handed hitters. Opponents are 5-for-25 (.200) this season in at-bats ending with his cutter and 1-for-8 (.125) with a single against his changeup. Is 2-5 with a 5.07 ERA (31 ER/55.0 IP) in 11 career starts vs. TOR.
