TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays dropped the opener of their four-game set in Boston last night by a 6-5 final…Were walked off for the second time this season (also: April 22 at NYY)…Slipped to 7-3 in series openers. Toronto has still won eight of its last 12 games and 17 of its last 25…Have lost consecutive games for the 3rd time this year (3G from April 1-3, 2G from April 16-17).
GIVE THIS BO A HAND: Bo Bichette drilled a three-run home run over the Green Monster in the 2nd inning last night, his team-leading 7th longball of the year…Homered in consecutive games for the 2nd time this season (8th career)…Also singled in the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 8th innings, finishing the night a perfect 5-for-5…Marked his second five-hit game of the year (also: April 14 vs. TB) and the third of his career…Became the only player in franchise history with multiple five-hit games in a single season. Has gone 43-for-125 (.344) with five doubles, seven homers, and 21 RBI while playing in all 29 games this season…The 43 hits lead all Major League batters… Among AL hitters, currently ranks T-1st in total bases (69) and 2nd in AVG, trailing only teammate Matt Chapman (.379). Since the beginning of the 2021 season, the 25-year old shortstop has racked up 423 hits, more than any other player in the Majors.
GET ON WHIT IT: Whit Merrifield ripped a double to left in the top of the 3rd inning on Monday, finishing the game 1-for-4 with a walk…Has reached base safely in each of his 22 games this year, the 4th-longest on-base streak to begin a season in franchise history…Has batted .316
(25-for-79) this year with eight doubles, 10 RBI, and eight walks…His 22 game on-base stretch is the 2ndlongest active streak in the AL (4th in MLB)…Is tied for the 3rd-longest on-base streak of his career (last: 23G from June 20-July 17, 2019).
NASTY NATE: Nate Pearson tossed a pair of shutout frames last night, surrendering a single with a trio of strikeouts while topping out at 100.1 mph on his four-seam fastball… Marked his longest MLB outing since throwing 2.0 scoreless frames on Sept. 30, 2021 vs. NYY…Has had
five straight scoreless outings against AL East teams.
DIVISIONAL DETAILS: The Blue Jays slipped to 4-3 against divisional opponents this season…Have still won 27 of their last 40 games vs. AL East foes, dating back to Aug. 17, 2022…Went 43-33 (.566%) in divisional play in 2022, the 2nd-best winning percentage within the division
(NYY – .618) and the club’s best since registering a .581 win% in 2006 (43-31).
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Blue Jays are off on a 10-day, nine-game road trip with four contests in Boston, three in Pittsburgh (20-9), and two in Philadelphia (15-15)…Their 17 road games played are tied with three other clubs for the most in the Majors…Own a 9-8 road record this year, the 6th-best road win % among AL teams. Blue Jays hitters lead the AL in road hits (153) while ranking 3rd in road AVG (.255), 4th in OBP (.327), 4th in OPS (.736), and 5th in SLG (.409)…The pitching staff ranks 10th in the AL in road WHIP (1.34), 12th in road ERA (4.93), and 13th in road opponents’ batting average (.261).
HITTING IT: The Blue Jays have notched 257 hits so far this season, 3rd most in the AL…Are also 4th in the AL in team batting average (.258), 5th in OBP (.334), 6th in OPS (.742), 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 47 consecutive games without being shut out, the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (LAD – 71G).
YUSEI KEY-KUCHI: Yusei Kikuchi takes the hill tonight for his 6th start of the year…Has gone 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA (9 ER/27.0 IP) this season, walking six batters while striking out 28…Can become the 4th pitcher in Blue Jays history to go 5-0 or better through six starts of a season, joining Rogers Clemens (5-0 in 1997), Tom Filer (5-0 in 1985), and Dave Stieb (5-0 in 1984)…courtesy Elias.
NO IN BETWEEN: Last night was the first time that Toronto pitchers did not allow either four-or-fewer runs or eight-or-more runs in a game this season, snapping their streak at 28 games…According to Stats Perform, was the 2ndlongest such streak in the Wild Card era (since 1995), trailing only Cleveland in 2019 (39G).
VS. THE RED SOX: All-Time: 320-383
2023: 0-1 Road: 166-189
Road: 0-1 Fenway Park: 166-189
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)…Have won eight of their last nine games at Fenway Park and 12 of the last 17. Whit Merrifield is a lifetime .397 (52-for-131) 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 32 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 34 career games at Fenway Park, has batted .333 (43-for-129) with 16 extra-base hits and 27 RBI for a .982 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER – Yusei Kikuchi, LHP #16
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 6th start of the season and his 4th on the road…Improved to 4-0 his last time out on 4/26 vs. CWS, throwing 5.2 frames of shutout ball while scattering four singles and a walk along with eight strikeouts…Has allowed one run or fewer in four of his five starts this year while the Blue Jays have won all five of his outings. Over 7 Grapefruit League appearances this year (6 starts), went 2-1 with a 0.87 ERA (2 ER/20.2 IP), 10 walks, and 31 strikeouts…Led all qualified hurlers in Spring Training ERA and punchouts, while ranking 2nd in OPP AVG (.130) and 4th in WHIP (0.92).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Earned his 3rd win of the year on 4/21 at NYY, tossing 6.0 frames of onerun ball with 4 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts…Has back-to-back starts of 6.0+ innings and 0-or-1 runs allowed for the first time since 6/18-25 of his 2021 All-Star campaign. Improved to 2-0 on 4/15 vs. TB, throwing 6.0 innings of one-run ball with 4 hits, a walk, and a season-high 9 strikeouts…Marked his most punchouts in a single game as a Blue Jay…Completed 6.0 frames for the 1st time since 6/30/22 vs. TB. Took a no-decision on 4/9 at LAA, giving up 6 runs on 9 hits and a walk over 4.1 innings with 6 strikeouts…Threw 99 pitches (59 strikes) on the day, his most pitches in a single outing since 7/28/21 vs. HOU 101). Picked up the win in his season debut on 4/4 at KC, tossing 5.0 innings of one-run ball with 3 hits, a walk, and 2 strikeouts…Was his 1st start since 8/15/22 vs. BAL, and his 1st win as a starter since 7/28/22 vs. DET.
BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:
ITS A WALK-OFF: The Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays last night, 6-5, on a walk-off solo HR by Alex Verdugo leading off the 9th inning. Last night was the Sox’ MLB-leading 4th walk-off win, including 2 of their last 3 games (also Saturday vs. CLE). It was Verdugo’s 2nd career walk-off HR (also 6/22/19 vs. COL w/ LAD; see note on right for walk-off RBI notes).
30 AND THRIVING: The Red Sox have won at least 16 of their first 30 games for the 11th time in the last 20 seasons… They qualified for the Postseason each of the previous 10 times, including their last 4 World Series Championship seasons (2021, ‘18, ‘17, ‘16, ‘13, ‘09, ‘08, ‘07, ‘05, ‘04). The Sox’ 169 runs scored and 268 hits are their most through 30 games since 2018 (170 R, 292 H). Their 40 HR are tied for 4th-most all time through 30 games and their most since 2010 (also 40).
RED SOX THROUGH 30 GAMES
Stat 2022 2023
W-L 11-19 16-14
Runs scored 104 169
Home runs 17 40
AVG .230 .261
OPS .628 .780
Walks 72 106
STATE OF THE SOX: The Red Sox are 11-6 (.647) in their last 17 games, dating back to 4/14…They own the 2ndbest record in the AL during that span and are tied with PHI for 3rd best in MLB (BAL: 12-3, .800; PIT: 12-4, .750). The Sox have won 3 of their 4 series over that span. During that 17-game span, they have averaged 5.8 runs per game with an .818 OPS.
A.L. WILD CARD STANDINGS
Rk. Team W-L Pct. GB
- Baltimore 19-9 .679 +3.5
- Toronto 18-11 .621 +2.0
- Houston 16-13 .552 –
- Boston 16-14 .533 -0.5
HOME COOKING: The Red Sox are 8-3 over their last 11 home games, winning each of their last 3 home series (3-1 vs. LAA, 2-1 vs. MIN, 2-1 vs. CLE, 1-0 vs. TOR). The Sox have scored 98 runs on 165 hits (64 XBH) in their 17 home games…Their 9.7 hits/game and 3.8 XBH/game at home rank 3rd in MLB, while their 5.8 runs/game rank 4th. At home, the Sox lead the AL in AVG (.279), rank 2nd in OBP (.350), and rank 4th in SLG (.461) and OPS (.811).
SOX & JAYS: The Red Sox last night snapped a 9-game losing streak against the Blue Jays, which began on 7/22/22…It was their longest ever against the club. The Sox also snapped an 8-game losing streak against the Jays at Fenway Park that began on 4/20/22. BOS went 3-16 vs. TOR 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.
COMEBACK KIDS: The Red Sox trailed 3-2 after the 5th inning last night, earning their MLB-leading 11th come-from-behind win. The Red Sox trailed by multiple runs in 5 of their 11 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).
CLOSE SHAVES: 21 of the Sox’ 30 games have been decided by 3 runs or fewer (11-10)…The only teams with more such games are CLE (23) and LAA (22). The Sox and Brewers are the only teams with multiple extra-inning wins and 0 losses in extras (both 2-0).
CLUTCH GENE: Alex Verdugo last night recorded his 8th career walk-off RBI, including his MLB-leading 3rd this season…27 teams have fewer than 3 walk-off wins in 2023. Verdugo has 6 walk-off RBI since the start of 2021, tied with Aaron Judge for most in the AL and 2nd most in MLB over that span (Jorge Alfaro-7, Jean Segura-6). Verdugo’s 6 walk-off RBI with the Red Sox are the 2nd most by a Red Sox player since 2000, trailing only David Ortiz (16).
SLUGGING SOX: The Red Sox rank 2nd in MLB in doubles (64) and XBH (106), and rank 3rd in runs (169) and hits (268). 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 23 of their 40 home runs, tied with LAA and LAD for 2nd most in MLB (TEX-24).
RED SOX OFFENSIVE RANKINGS
Stat AL Rank
169 R 3rd
40 HR 2nd
268 H 2nd
106 XBH 2nd
20.2 SO% 2nd
Stat AL Rank
.261 AVG 2nd
.336 OBP 3rd
.444 SLG 2nd
.780 OPS 3rd
9.1 BB% 5th
ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD: The Red Sox’ outfielders lead MLB in AVG (.309), SLG (.539), OPS (.914), hits (110), doubles (30), XBH (48), runs (64), and RBI (70). The Sox’ outfielders rank 2nd in MLB in FanGraphs’ WAR (3.8) and OBP (.376), and are tied for 4th in HR (16).
RED SOX’ OUTFIELD RANKINGS
Stat 2022 (MLB Rank) 2023 (MLB Rank)
AVG .243 (16th) .309 (1st)
OBP .301 (24th) .377 (2nd)
SLG .375 (22nd) .539 (1st)
OPS .676 (24th) .914 (1st)
H 453 (7th) 110 (1st)
XBH 163 (T-8th) 48 (1st)
RBI 218 (13th) 70 (1st)
fWAR 1.9 (27th) 3.8 (2nd)
MACHO MAN: Masataka Yoshida’s 11-game hitting streak enters today tied with Robbie Grossman (TEX) for the longest active hitting streak in MLB. During his streak, Yoshida is batting .419 with a 1.179 OPS, 8 runs, and 11 RBI (18-for-43, 4 2B, 3 HR, 4 BB, SF). In his first 24 career games, Yoshida has batted 4th in the lineup (18 games), 2nd (3), 6th (2), and 5th (1).
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.
DEVERS’ AMERICAN LEAGUE RANKINGS
Stat AL
10 HR ……………………1st
27 RBI…………………… T-3rd
46 hard-hit balls…….. T-4th
Stat AL
17 XBH……………………..T-2nd
64 total bases ……………… 3rd
.557 SLG …………………….. 8th
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 have faced right-handed starting pitcher in 12 of their last 14 games, beginning 4/17…They faced a left-handed starter in 8 of their 9 games from 4/8-16.
HELP IS ON THE WAY: Joely Rodriguez today threw 1.0 inning in an extended spring training game in Fort Myers. James Paxton made a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings with 2 H, 1 BB, and 8 SO (90 pitches).
TONIGHT’S STARTER: 89 TANNER HOUCK – RHP
W-L ERA G GS IP ER HR BB SO WHIP AVG
2023 3-1 4.50 5 5 26.0 13 3 10 24 1.35 .258
CAREER 12-10 3.24 58 25 172.0 62 11 62 188 1.16 .220
Allowed 4 runs (3 ER) over 5.0 IP on Wednesday at BAL (7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO). Owns a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) in 4 games (3 starts) vs. TOR…Allowed 2 runs over 5.0 IP in his last start vs. TOR, on 4/21/22 (3 H, BB, 3 SO). The Red Sox have won 4 of his 5 starts this season, including all 3 at Fenway Park. Has tossed 5.0+ IP in 4 of his 5 starts this season (26.0 IP, 25 H, 13 ER, 20 BB, 24 SO). Opponents are batting .158 this season in at-bats ending with his cutter (3-for-19, 6 SO, HR). Has allowed 3 ER or fewer in each of his 25 career starts…Is the 3rd-longest streak to begin a career in club history, trailing Roger Clemens (1990-91) and Ernie Shore (1915-16; 32 each).
