Latest news with #ALWildCard
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays reach historic low in embarrassing loss to Red Sox
The post Blue Jays reach historic low in embarrassing loss to Red Sox appeared first on ClutchPoints. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt entered Saturday's game versus the Boston Red Sox with a 3.61 ERA this season, and a 2.31 ERA in eight starts against the American League East foe. When he exited the mound, both of those numbers had ballooned. The lineup did not do him any favors, either, as John Schneider's ballclub had a day to forget in Fenway Park. Alas, the dreadful outing will be etched in the history books. Advertisement The Blue Jays fell 15-1 to the Rex Sox, marking the largest margin of defeat the franchise has ever suffered in Boston, per Sportsnet Stats. What a dramatic reversal of fortunes after Friday's 9-0 victory. Toronto actually started off on a promising note, as Bassitt retired the first two batters he faced. A gritty Abraham Toro at-bat, which resulted in a single, eventually gave way to a three-run Wilyer Abreu home run. From thereon, the game was woefully out of reach. Bassitt allowed eight runs on eight hits and walked four batters in just two innings of work. The bullpen struggled as well, resulting in an eye-popping amount of Red Sox runs. This outcome is ghastly even in a vacuum, but it is especially mind-boggling when considering how feeble Boston's lineup has been lately. The team had scored only four runs in the last 28 innings, with Rafael Devers' departure looming uncomfortably large. The Jays' bats were unable to generate any momentum in the batter's box, mustering just six hits off Lucas Giolito and none off the returning Chris Murphy (first appearance since September of 2023). They must quickly shake off this rough showing in Fenway and come back strong for the rubber match. A big series is on the horizon for the Blue Jays Toronto (44-38) is still a few games clear of the danger zone in the AL Wild Card race, currently occupying the second slot, and only three games behind the AL-East leading New York Yankees. This squad has accomplished all that despite battling considerable injury troubles, and thus deserves ample praise. Advertisement But the Blue Jays cannot relent now. They are entering a pivotal stretch on their schedule, with a four-game series against the Yankees beginning next week. True contenders capitalize on these opportunities, and if Toronto is going to reach that level, it must weather this potential storm. While there is no need to worry yet, Sunday's face-off with the Red Sox (41-43) feels more important than the standings may suggest. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. Related: Blue Jays get crucial injury updates Related: Red Sox make Marcelo Mayer roster move ahead of Blue Jays series
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Blue Jays' John Schneider sets stage for Yankees series
The post Blue Jays' John Schneider sets stage for Yankees series appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Toronto Blue Jays took two of three games against the Boston Red Sox this weekend. Their Fenway series win moved them to 45-38 and three games out of the AL East lead. They survived a Vladimir Guerrero Jr injury scare and an embarrassing Saturday loss to take the set. Blue Jays manager John Schneider set the stage for their big series with the New York Yankees after beating Boston. Advertisement 'It's still June going into July, but that's a big series,' Schneider said, per Keegan Matheson. 'You get four against the team that's leading the division, and they're good. They're a tough, tough matchup every single time, no matter who's on the mound. I think this is an important series for a lot of different reasons, and it's nice to have Max Scherzer on the mound tomorrow.' The Yankees beat the Athletics on Sunday to take their series and open a 1.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto is close behind, three games back of New York. Both Toronto and Tampa are in AL Wild Card spots as the second half begins. This is the second time the Yankees and Blue Jays have faced off this year. They played a three-game series in The Bronx in April, which the Bombers won two games to one. But now, New York's offense has gone cold while Toronto has gone 19-11 since May 26. The Blue Jays are scheduled to send out Max Scherzer for his third start of the season. After signing a one-year deal this winter, he pitched just one game before getting hurt. While his Hall of Fame peak is behind him, he can still give them solid innings. Kevin Guasman and Jose Berrios follow him in the rotation. Meanwhile, the Yankees will have Carlos Rodon, Max Fried, and Will Warren on the mound. Related: Blue Jays reach historic low in embarrassing loss to Red Sox Related: Blue Jays get crucial injury updates
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cubs Should Pursue Rangers' Tyler Mahle to Fix Struggling Rotation
Cubs Should Pursue Rangers' Tyler Mahle to Fix Struggling Rotation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Cubs' starting rotation is getting a massive boost this week with the return of ace Shota Imanaga. After missing the last month and a half with a hamstring strain, the dominant left-hander will headline a pitching staff with a 3.5-game lead in the NL Central. Behind Imanaga are Jameson Taillon (3.84 ERA) and Matthew Boyd (2.84 ERA), who have been steady presences in his absence. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Colin Rea (4.42 ERA) and Ben Brown (5.57 ERA), leaving questions as to how well can Chicago's rotation stack up come the postseason. Advertisement The Cubs are already monitoring the starting pitcher market, according to president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer. While bigger names such as Miami Marlins' ace Sandy Alcantara would make an excellent addition, the cost for both may be too high for Chicago. One under-the-radar pitcher the Cubs should target is Texas Rangers starter Tyle Mahle. Texas Rangers pitcher Tyler Mahle (51) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Globe Life Carlin III-Imagn Images Although he is currently on the injured list with shoulder soreness, Mahle is in the middle of a resurgent 2025 campaign. In 14 starts, Mahle has accumulated a 6-3 record, 56 strikeouts, and a 2.34 ERA, the tenth-lowest ERA in baseball among pitchers with at least 70 innings thrown. Advertisement Inserting Mahle, 30, would bump either Brown or Rea from the Cubs' rotation and give them a stellar top four arms ready for a second-half push to the playoffs. The Rangers may not want to trade Mahle, sitting just two games behind in the AL Wild Card. But if they fail to get hot, he makes for an excellent third or fourth starter to add at the trade deadline. If Chicago wants to go for it all while searching for a bargain, Mahle may be the best option. In the final year of a two-year, $22 million contract, the Cubs would be on the hook for just $5.8 million of Mahle's remaining deal. Compare that to the $35.8 million tied to Alcantara through 2027, and Mahle becomes an even more appealing short-term option. Related: Unique Cubs Trade Idea Lands Two Starters to Bolster Injured Rotation This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox Acquiring $77 Million Braves Slugger Would Bring 'Thump' to Lineup
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox are doing everything they can to stay afloat in the American League playoff race. As of Monday, the Red Sox are a half-game back in the AL Wild Card race. They are in a strong position to be a buyer at the trade deadline if they continue at this pace. Jake Roy of NESN believes the team could pursue two-time Silver Slugger Marcell Ozuna from the Atlanta Braves to bolster the lineup and push for the playoffs. MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot park on June 21, 2025 in Miami, Florida. MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Marcell Ozuna #20 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot park on June 21, 2025 in Miami, Florida."Marcell Ozuna is in the final year of his contract and could be one of the top names on the market in late July," wrote Roy. "The righty is a power hitter, and the Red Sox could use some thump in their lineup to fill the void left by Rafael Devers." Ozuna entered Monday hitting .253 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI as well as an OPS+ of 122. However, he's already just about 20 walks away from tying his season total from last year. This indicates teams are pitching to him more conservatively this season to avoid his bat doing major damage. The Braves recently lost their ace Chris Sale to injury which makes their mountain to get into the playoffs even higher. While Ozuna's bat would be a major bonus, Roy points out one roster flaw that would make things difficult. "Ozuna hasn't played the outfield regularly since 2022 and would likely assume the role of full-time designated hitter," wrote Roy. His splits are minimal, so a platoon wouldn't be necessary. The return of Masataka Yoshida could complicate things, as rostering two players who can't play the field is difficult to accommodate." The Red Sox lineup is currently heavy with left-handed bats, so Boston could look to move on from Yoshida in order to accommodate Ozuna. If Cora wants to get really creative and keep them both, he could look into teaching one of them how to play first base, a position that requires a lot less work defensively than left field. More MLB: Astros Pushing for Left-Handed Bats; Could $100 Million Slugger be Good Fit?
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Angels Announce Kenley Jansen News After Leaving Red Sox Game
Angels Announce Kenley Jansen News After Leaving Red Sox Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Los Angeles Angels not only have one of the greatest hitters of all time, but they also have one of the greatest closers. They both appeared in Monday's 9-5 win over the Boston Red Sox, albeit with very different performances. Advertisement Designated hitter Mike Trout finished 0-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored, while right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen left after just four pitches in the ninth inning. Fellow right-hander Hector Neris then came in and tossed a clean frame to secure the win. The Angels, who are now two games under .500 as they try to keep pace in the AL Wild Card race, would be disadvantaged if they lost Jansen for an extended period. They announced his injury after the game, via The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher. Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74)© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images "Kenley Jansen had shoulder cramping and he should be fine, Ray Montgomery said," he reported. Advertisement Jansen is tied for 11th in baseball with 15 saves. The four-time All-Star signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in 2004 and converted from a catcher to a relief pitcher in the minors. He made his big-league debut in 2010 and stayed with the Dodgers through 2021. Jansen won NL Reliever of the Year in 2016 and 2017, recording 47 saves in '16 and 41 in '17. He led the NL in saves in the latter campaign and won the 2020 World Series championship with the Dodgers. Jansen also led the NL with 41 saves as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2022. Related: Kenley Jansen Sends 3-Word Message After Major Dodgers News Related: Angels Make Unexpected Coaching Move Before Astros Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
