TORONTO BLUE JAYS NOTES:
THE LATEST: The Blue Jays plated five runs in the final two frames to secure a 6-1 victory over the Yankees last night… Are now 15-9-1 in road series play this year (29-18-2 overall) and will go for their 10th sweep of the season. Toronto has won five straight games, one shy of tying its longest winning streak of 2023 (6G from April 23-29)…Has also claimed 13 of its last 19 and is 18-11 over its last 29 contests…Leads the AL with a .667 win% (12-6) in September…Is a season-high 18 games over .500…Enters today holding the 2nd AL Wild Card spot, one game ahead of both Texas (84-68) and Seattle (84-68).
ALL GAUS, NO BRAKES: Kevin Gausman nabbed his 12th win last night with 6.0 scoreless frames, limiting the Yankees to three hits and three walks while striking out 10…Was his AL-best 9th start with double-digit punchouts… Leads the AL with a career-high 232 strikeouts (2nd: Pablo López – 221), behind only Spencer Strider (270) for the MLB lead, and now 4th most in a single season in team history…Currently tops all AL pitchers with a 5.1 fWAR…Also ranks 1st in the AL in K rate (31.4%) and SO/9 (11.73) while ranking 5th in SO/BB (4.38), 6th in ERA (3.29), T-9th in innings pitched (178.0), and 11th in WHIP (1.20).
MULTI-TALENTED: Bo Bichette singled twice and drove in two runs while scoring once himself for a 2-for-5 evening…Marked his team-leading 48th multi-hit effort of the season (T-5th in the AL)…Now has 161 hits this season, 6th most among AL batters, despite missing 25 games with injuries…Is currently 3rd in the AL with a .305 batting average.
FEELING GEORGEOUS: George Springer went 2-for-5 on a pair of singles while scoring twice last night…Over his last 40 games, is batting .295 (46-for-156) with 26 runs scored, eight doubles, seven homers, 23 RBI, and 20 walks (.852 OPS).
CAVAN BBIGGIO: Cavan Biggio played in his career-high 101st game last night (100 in 2019)…Drew a pair of walks and scored a run…Is now 14-for-44 (.318) with three doubles, a home run, nine RBI, and a 9BB/10K ratio over his last 14 games (.880 OPS)…Held a .265 OBP before the All-Star break, but since then has reached at a .410 clip…The 145-point increase is currently the largest in franchise history (min. 100 PA)…courtesy Stats Perform.
HORWITZ HITS: Spencer Horwitz drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the 8th and then plated two more with a single in the 9th to finish with a career-high three RBI effort… Over 14 Major League games, has gone 10-for-35 (.286) with two doubles, a homer, seven RBI, and four walks (.804 OPS).
KIERMAIER KEYING IN: Kevin Kiermaier singled, doubled, and walked last night…Has racked up an AL-high 81 hits while batting 9th this season (2nd: Leody Taveras – 75).
ONE LAST RIDE: The Blue Jays are on their final road trip of the regular season (2-0 so far)…Own a 44-33 road record this season for a .571 win%, 3rd best in the AL (5th in MLB)…Have gone 24-11 over their last 35 road games for a .686 win%, the best road record in the Majors since June 20 (2nd: LAD .684)…Will wrap up the road trip with three games at Tampa Bay (93-60) this weekend. Blue Jays rank 2nd among AL clubs with a .265 road batting average, 2nd in road OBP (.336), 3rd in road OPS (.767), and 4th in road SLG (.432)…The pitching staff ranks 2nd in the AL in road ERA (3.83), 8th in road opponents’ average (.249), and 8th in road WHIP (1.27).
PITCHING IN: Toronto pitchers have combined for a 3.71 ERA this season, 2nd best in the Majors (1st: SEA – 3.70)… The 3.71 ERA is currently 5th best in team history and the club’s best since 2008 (3.49)…Have recorded 1,429 strikeouts, 3rd most in MLB and 2nd most in team history (1,468 in 2021)…Rank 5th in the AL in opponents’ batting average (.238) and 4th in WHIP (1.24)…The rotation has recorded 67 quality starts, tied for 3rd most in the AL (T-4th in MLB).
DIVISIONAL DETAILS: The Blue Jays are wrapping up the regular season with 15 straight division games (5-0 so far)…Have won nine of their last 11 games vs. AL East clubs… Have gone 17-25 against divisional opponents this season (43-33 last season).
RISP-Y BUSINESS: The Blue Jays have gone 53-for-163 (.325) with runners in scoring position across their last 19 games, including 27 walks, 15 extra-base hits, and 67 RBI (.414 OBP, .868 OPS)…Since the calendar flipped to August, the Blue Jays sport an AL-best .309 batting average (112-for-362) with RISP… Have raised their season RISP average to .259, 6th best among AL clubs, and one point higher than last season’s mark (.258 in 2022).
VS. THE YANKEES: All-Time: 320-388
2023: 5-4 Road: 152-203
Road: 4-1 Yankee Stadium: 52-79
The Blue Jays are now 5-4 vs. the Pinstripes this year, having gone 3-1 in the Bronx…Are 17-8 at Yankee Stadium since the start of the 2021 season for a .680 win%, the best among all AL teams over that span…Will go for their first sweep of the Yankees since taking all four games in New York from Sept. 6-9, 2021.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 6-for-24 with two doubles, two homers, and seven RBI in seven games vs. New York this season (.880 OPS)…Is a lifetime .286 (78- for-273) hitter against the Pinstripes, with 16 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, and 48 RBI in 72 meetings (.865 OPS)…Has gone 39-for-137 (.285) with six doubles, 12 homers, and 21 RBI in his 35 games at Yankee Stadium (.934 OPS)…His .591 SLG at the current venue is the 2nd highest all-time, just behind Aaron Judge’s .603 mark (min. 100 AB).
Bo Bichette has batted .342 (13-for-38) with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI in the nine games vs. NYY this season…Now holds a career average of .320 (79-for-247) across 60 games vs. the Yankees, including 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 40 RBI (.901 OPS).
Kevin Kiermaier leads all current Blue Jays with 113 career games vs. New York…Has hit .242 (94-for388) with 14 doubles, six triples, 14 homers, and 29 RBI in those contests (.722 OPS).
STARTING PITCHER – José Berríos, RHP #17
TODAY’S GAME:
Making his 31st start of the season and his 17th on the road…The Bayamón, PR, native pitched on Roberto Clemente Day for the 1st time in his career his last time out, on 9/15 vs. BOS, tossing 7.0 shutout frames (5H, 0BB, 8K)…Was his 6th scoreless start of the year, and his 5th career start with 7.0+ IP, no runs, and no walks (last: 7/31/19 at MIA). Has limited opponents to a .227 OBP in September, the 3rd-best mark in the AL, min. 50 batters faced (Tarik Skubal – .192, Reese Olson – .202). Over his last 28 starts, has gone 11-8 with a 3.05 ERA (57 ER/168.1 IP), 156 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP…His ERA over that span (since 4/14) is 3rd best among AL pitchers (Gerrit Cole – 2.97, Kyle Bradish – 3.04).
2023 HIGHLIGHTS:
Picked up his 10th win of the year on 9/10 vs. KC, throwing 7.0 innings of 2-run ball (5H, 2BB, 7K)…Marked his 14th quality start of the season… Reached double-digit wins for the 6th time in his career. Took a no-decision on 9/4 at OAK, tossing 6.0 frames of 2-run ball with 4 hits, a walk, and 7 strikeouts…Was his 13th quality start of the season. Took a no-decision on 8/18 at CIN, tossing 5.2 frames of shutout ball, scattering a hit and 4 walks with 8 strikeouts…Was his 5th scoreless outing of the season. Picked up his 9th win of the year on 8/5 at BOS, giving up 3 runs over 5.2 innings (6H, 0BB, 6K). Took a no-decision on 7/6 at CWS(1), throwing 7.0 scoreless innings with a hit, a walk, and 6 strikeouts…Gave up just 1 hit over 7.0 frames for the 2nd time in his career, also doing so exactly 2 years prior against the same team as a member of the Twins (7/6/21 vs. CWS). Improved to 7-4 on the year on 6/14 at BAL, taking a no-hitter into the 7th inning before allowing a leadoff single to Adley Rutschman…Marked the longest no-hit bid by a Blue Jay since Ross Stripling also tossed 6.0 hitless innings on 8/17/22 vs. BAL…Finished the game with a seasonhigh 7.2 innings of shutout ball (3H, BB, HBP, 5K)…Improved to a perfect 10-0 lifetime against the O’s (13 starts), joining Jon Lester (14-0) and Red Faber (12-0) as the only pitchers in MLB history to win each of his first 10 career decisions against Orioles/Browns franchise. Pitched 5.2 frames of shutout ball on 5/28 at MIN (4H, 5BB, 5K)…Became the winningest pitcher in Target Field history, earning his 33rd career victory to break a tie with Kyle Gibson (32).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Drafted in the 1st round (32nd overall) by the Twins in 2012. Pitched for Team Puerto Rico in the 2013, 2017, and 2023 World Baseball Classics. Named to 2018 and 2019 AL All-Star teams, pitching 1.0 inning in both games. Acquired by Toronto from Minnesota on 7/30/21 in exchange for INF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson. In 2021, set a career high with 204 strikeouts, good for 5th in the AL…His 3.52 ERA was 5th best in the AL while his 192.0 innings pitched ranked 2nd.
VS. THE YANKEES:
Facing the Yankees for the 2nd time this season and the 11th time in his career…Met the Bronx Bombers earlier this year on 5/18 at Rogers Centre, giving up 3 runs over 6.2 frames (6H, BB, 8K)…Has faced the Yankees 7 times in a Blue Jays uniform, allowing 3 runs or fewer on 5 occasions while posting a 4.75 ERA (22 ER/41.2 IP) and 4 quality starts.
NEW YORK YANKEES NOTES:
AT A GLANCE: The Yankees continue their final homestand of the season tonight with the final game of a three-game set vs. Toronto (0-2 thus far)…will also play a three-game series vs. Arizona this weekend (Fri.-Sun.)…went 5-2 on their recent seven-game road trip, winning three-of-four games at Boston and winning two-of-three at Pittsburgh. Have lost three straight games after winning their previous three games…are 6-4 in their last 10 games (since 9/10). Have posted a 14-8 (.636) record since 8/28, tied for the second-best record in the Majors in that span, trailing only Toronto (14-7, .667). Are 16-11 in their last 27 games (since 8/23).
AUSTIN POWERS: C Austin Wells hit his first Major League home run on Wednesday with a solo shot in the ninth inning… five of his seven Major League hits have gone for extra bases (4 doubles, 1HR).
FOR STARTERS: Yankees starters have posted a 3.10 ERA (154.0IP, 53ER) in their last 29 games (since 8/20)…have allowed 3ER-or-fewer in 26 of those 29 starts and 2ER-or-fewer in 21 of those starts.
KING OF THE HILL: RHP Michael King allowed just 1ER in 7.0IP on Wednesday…his 13K were a career high and the most by a Yankee this season…were the most by a Yankee since Gerrit Cole struck out 14 batters on 9/7/22 vs. Minnesota (Game 2). Has recorded 30K over his last three starts (16.2IP). His 7.0 innings and 101 pitches were also career highs (previous: 6.0IP on 4/4/21 vs. Toronto and 87 pitches on 9/14/23 at Boston-G1). As a starter this season, has gone 1-3 with a 1.78 ERA (30.1IP, 6ER) and 45K. Since 7/21, has gone 2-3 with a 1.87 ERA (43.1IP, 9ER) and 64K in 16 games (seven starts).
WHERE’S WALDO: INF/OF Oswaldo Cabrera is batting .313/.405/.469 (10-for-32) with 4R, 2 doubles, 1HR, 3RBI, 5BB and 1SB in his last nine games (since 9/10).
BATTERS’ EYE: Since the All-Star break, the Yankees lead the Majors with a 9.27 PA/BB ratio and a 4.05 pitches per plate appearance ratio…prior to the All-Star break, ranked 20th in the Majors in PA/BB (11.90) and P/PA (3.86).
COLE TRAIN: RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 32nd start of the season and 299th of his career tonight…is 13-4 with a 2.81 ERA (192.0IP, 60ER) and 208K in 31 starts this season…owns the lowest ERA in the American League and the second-lowest in the Majors, trailing only San Diego’s Blake Snell (2.33)…if he were to finish the season with the lowest ERA in the AL, he would be the 10th Yankee (14th time) to win an AL ERA title…would join Rudy May (1980), Ron Guidry (twice: 1978 and ’79), Whitey Ford (twice: 1956 and ’58), Bobby Shantz (1957), Ed Lopat (1953), Allie Reynolds (1952), Spud Chandler (twice: 1943 and ’47), Lefty Gomez (twice: 1934 and ’37) and Wilcy Moore (1927)
TONIGHT’S STARTING PITCHER: RHP GERRIT COLE (13-4, 2.81 ERA)
RHP Gerrit Cole will make his 32nd start of the season in tonight’s series finale vs. Toronto…the 33-year-old will start on extended five days’ rest due to Monday’s team off day…last started on Friday at Pittsburgh and did not record a decision in the Yankees’ 7-5 win despite allowing 2R/ER in 5.0IP (6H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR)…is 13-4 with a 2.81 ERA (192.0IP, 60ER) and 208K in 31 starts this season…owns the lowest ERA in the American League and the second-lowest in the Majors, trailing only San Diego’s Blake Snell (2.33)…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in 24 of his 31 starts this season, tied with San Diego’s Blake Snell for the most such starts in the Majors…started for the American League in the 93rd Midsummer Classic on 7/11 and retired all 3BF, becoming the 12th pitcher in franchise history (20th time) to start an All-Star Game…was named to his sixth career All-Star team via the player ballot…reached 10 years of Major League service on 5/29… recorded his 2,000th career strikeout on 5/23 vs. Baltimore (Jorge Mateo swinging), becoming the third-fastest pitcher in Major League history to reach the milestone (in terms of games and innings pitched)…his Major League-leading 257K last season were the most by a Yankees pitcher in a single season in franchise history, surpassing Ron Guidry’s previous record of 248K in 1978… the six-time All-Star (2015, ’18-19, ’21-23) has finished in the top-five of Cy Young Award voting five times (second in 2021, fourth in 2020, second in 2019, fifth in 2018, fourth in 2015)…his career 10.45 K/9.0IP ratio (2,138K/1,842.0IP) is the eighth-highest in Major League history (min. 1,000.0IP)…in 106 starts with the Yankees, is 49-23 with a 3.14 ERA (647.0IP, 226ER) and 802K…since 2018, leads the Majors in wins (84), strikeouts (1,404), and innings pitched (1,059.2), ranks second in K/9.0IP (11.92), tied for second in WAR among pitchers (27.6 – FanGraphs), third in winning percentage (.718, min. 60 decisions), fourth in opponents’ BA (.205), WHIP (1.00) and K/BB (5.24), and seventh in ERA (2.96)…was originally selected by the Yankees in the first round (28th overall) of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft but did not sign and went on to play at UCLA for three seasons (2009-11)…was the first overall pick of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, the 15th pitcher (and 11th right-hander) to be chosen first…is the fifth player selected first overall to play for the Yankees, joining Alex Rodriguez, Darryl Strawberry, Tim Foli and Ron Blomberg…signed a nine-year contract extending through the 2028 season with a player opt-out following the 2024 season on 12/18/19.
LAST START: Did not record a decision despite allowing just 2R/ER in 5.0IP on Friday at Pittsburgh (6H, 3BB, 4K, 0HR)…marked his first start at PNC Park as an opposing pitcher…allowed a run in the first inning on a sac fly to Jack Suwinski and a run in the second inning on an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds.
ON A ROLL: Has gone 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA (31.2IP, 6ER) and 38K over his last five starts (since 8/25)…has allowed 2R-or-fewer in each of those five starts…has walked just five of his 123BF over that span…the Yankees are 5-0 in those games.
EYES ON 200: Needs 8.0IP to reach 200.0 innings for a second straight season and for the sixth time in his career(2015, ’17-19, ’22)…would be reaching the 200.0IP mark for the fifth time in his last six 162-game seasons…would be the only pitcher to throw at least 200.0 innings in five different seasons since 2017…no other pitcher has recorded more than three such seasons in that span…would also be the only Major League pitcher to record six such seasons since 2015 (no other pitcher has more than four in that span). Is the only Yankee in the last 10 years (since 2014) to throw at least 200.0IP in a season and would be the first to do so in back-to-back seasons since CC Sabathia (five straight from 2009- 13) and Hiroki Kuroda (2012-13).
STRIKEOUT MACHINE: Has recorded at least 200K for the sixth time in his career (also 2015, ’18-19, ’21-22)…has reached the 200K plateau for his fifth straight 162-game season (also 2018-19, ’21-22; recorded 94K in the abbreviated 60-game season in 2020)…is the first Yankee in franchise history to record at least 200K in three different seasons (previous: twice by Luis Severino in 2017 and 2018, David Cone in 1997 and 1998, and Ron Guidry in 1978 and 1979)…is just one of two Major League pitchers since 2015 to record at least six seasons with at least 200K, joining Max Scherzer (also six). Has recorded at least 8K in 13 starts this season and has notched five double-digit strikeout games this year…his five such games are tied for the third-most in the AL and tied for the sixth-most in the Majors this season. Has recorded double-digit strikeouts in 47 games since the start of 2019, marking the most in the Majors over the span (next: Max Scherzer-31)…his 55 games with at least 10K since the beginning of 2018 are also the most in the Majors over that stretch (next: Max Scherzer-49). Recorded his 2,000th career strikeout on 5/23 vs. Baltimore (Jorge Mateo swinging)…became the third-fastest pitcher (in terms of games and innings pitched) in Major League history to reach the milestone (278th career game and 1,714.2IP).
30 FOR 30: Has made at least 30 starts for the seventh time in his career (also 2015, ’17-19, ’21-22), the most such seasons by any Major League pitcher since 2015.
