The Blue Jays just keep finding ways to win. Toronto took down the New York Yankees 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to clinch another series victory, improving to 61-64 and moving to just half a game back of the final AL Wild Card spot. The Jays have now won 13 of their last 19 games as this once-unlikely playoff push continues to become very real.
On game 126 preview of Flight Deck, Dan Riccio breaks down another gutsy Blue Jays victory and the continued impact of Toronto’s young players. Charles McAdoo stepped into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s spot at first base and delivered when it mattered most, ripping the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning before adding another RBI single in the eighth.
Dan will also get into the long-awaited MLB debut of Ricky Tiedemann. The former top prospect entered behind opener Braydon Fisher and worked 1.2 innings, allowing one run while striking out two. Toronto used seven pitchers in the bullpen game, holding the Yankees to just four hits before Louis Varland struck out the side in the ninth for his 28th save of the season.
Of course, the biggest concern remains Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has officially been placed on the 7-day concussion injured list following Friday night’s collision at third base. With Vladdy unavailable, can players like McAdoo, Kazuma Okamoto and the rest of this young Blue Jays lineup continue to step up during the most important stretch of the season?
Looking ahead, Dylan Cease takes the mound with a chance to complete the sweep. Cease enters at 7-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 191 strikeouts as he continues to build a legitimate AL Cy Young case. The Yankees have struggled badly offensively since the All-Star break, but Cease has had his own issues against New York throughout his career.
The Yankees counter with Ryan Weathers, who enters at 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA and 136 strikeouts. Weathers has been one of baseball’s hottest starters recently, allowing just two earned runs over his last four starts, but Toronto has hit him hard this season. Something has to give in what should be a fascinating pitching matchup.
With Toronto already securing the series and now sitting just half a game outside of a playoff spot, can the Blue Jays finish off the Yankees, complete the sweep and continue their incredible climb up the Wild Card standings?
We finish with Dan’s picks presented by bet365.
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