MLB Game Preview: Toronto Blue Jays (55-39) vs. Athletics (39-57)

Venue: Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento, CA
First Pitch: 10:05 PM ET
Broadcast: Bally Sports California, Sportsnet, MLB.tv

Game Overview

The Toronto Blue Jays (55–39) continue their push atop the AL East as they face the Oakland Athletics (39–57) in Game 2 of their weekend series. Toronto took the opener 7–6 behind a six-run fifth inning and clutch hitting from Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes, while Oakland rallied late with homers from Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy but fell short. Saturday’s matchup features Kevin Gausman vs Jacob Lopez, with both teams looking to make a statement before the All-Star break.

Starting Pitchers Breakdown

Toronto Blue Jays – Kevin Gausman (6–6, 4.13 ERA)

• Making his 19th start of the season
• Owns a 1.15 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 104.2 IP
• Opponents batting just .226 against him
• Coming off a solid outing vs Angels: 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 hits, 9 K
• Has 8 quality starts and ranks 27th in MLB in K/9

Athletics – Jacob Lopez (2–5, 4.26 ERA)

• Left-hander with 64 strikeouts in 50.2 IP
• WHIP: 1.34, with a 1.5 HR/9 rate
• Last start: 4.1 IP, 4 ER vs Giants, despite 8 strikeouts
• Struggles with command and long innings but flashes swing-and-miss stuff

Key Players to Watch

Toronto Blue Jays

• Bo Bichette: .279 AVG, 12 HR — batting .342 over last 10 games, 6-game hit streak
• George Springer: 16 HR, 53 RBI — team leader in power, slugging .509
• Alejandro Kirk: .306 AVG — riding a 4-game hit streak, hitting .333 over last 5 games
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: .276 AVG, 12 HR — 53 walks, elite OBP of .382

Athletics

• Brent Rooker: 19 HR, 51 RBI — ranks 17th in MLB HR, hitting .263 over last 5 games
• Jacob Wilson: .335 AVG — team leader in batting average, day-to-day with hand contusion
• Tyler Soderstrom: 16 HR, 53 RBI — homered in Game 1, consistent middle-order threat
• Lawrence Butler: .252 AVG, 24 doubles — adds gap power and speed

• Blue Jays are 24–15 as favorites of –150 or shorter
• Athletics are 13–30 as underdogs of +125 or worse
• Over has hit in 5 of last 7 Blue Jays games
• Toronto is 6–4 ATS in last 10; Oakland is 4–6 ATS