Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 5/31-6/2

The Toronto Blue Jays will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates for three games this weekend. The Blue Jays are coming off a series sweep over the White Sox while the Pirates are coming off a series split with the Tigers.

Toronto Blue Jays (26-29) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (26-30)

Game 1:

Date: Friday, May 31
Time: 7:07 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Game 2:

Date: Saturday, June 1
Time: 3:07 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Game 3:

Date: Sunday, June 2
Time: 1:37 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet

Probable Starting Pitchers

Game 1: Jose Berrios (5-4, 2.94 ERA) vs. Bailey Falter (3-2, 3.55 ERA)

Berrios kicks the series off he is 5-4 with a 2.94 ERA, a 4.51 FIP, a 1.09 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts in 67.1 innings. In his last start, he faced the Tigers going seven innings giving up two runs on seven hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out five. In his career against the Pirates, he is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 16 innings. Falter will go for the Pirates, he is 3-2 with a 3.55 ERA, a 4.73 FIP, a 0.97 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 58.1 innings. In his last start, he faced the Braves going 7.1 innings giving up three runs on six hits; he walked one and struck out four. He has never faced the Blue Jays in his career.

Game 2: Yusei Kikuchi (2-4, 3.25 ERA) vs. Mitch Keller (6-3, 3.59 ERA)

Kikuchi gets the middle game he is 2-4 with a 3.25 ERA, a 2.84 FIP, a 1.19 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts in 61 innings. In his last start, he faced the Tigers going three innings giving up five runs on eight hits; he didn’t record a walk or a strikeout. He is 1-0 in his career against Pittsburgh with a 3.55 ERA, a 1.57 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 12.2 innings. Keller goes for the Pirates he is 6-3 with a 3.59 ERA, a 3.68 FIP, a 1.24 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts in 67.2 innings. In his last start, he faced the Braves going 6.2 innings giving up one run on six hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out four. He has never faced the Blue Jays in his career.

Game 3: Chris Bassitt (5-6, 4.03 ERA) vs. TBD

Bassitt gets the finale he is 5-6 with a 4.03 ERA, a 4.18 FIP, a 1.42 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 60.1 innings. In his last start, he faced the White Sox going five shutout innings giving up five hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out seven. In his career against the Pirates, he is 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 25 innings. The Pirates haven’t announced a starter yet, this was supposed to be Martin Perez’s spot but he’s on the 15-day injured list.

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Leaders

Blue Jays:

AVG – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – .294
HR – Daulton Varsho – 10
RBI – Daulton Varsho – 30
IP – Jose Berrios – 67.1
ERA – Jose Berrios – 2.94
K – Yusei Kikuchi – 61

Pirates:

AVG – Connor Joe – .286
HR – Andrew McCutchen – 8
RBI – Bryan Reynolds – 29
IP – Mitch Keller – 67.2
ERA – Bailey Falter – 3.55
K – Jared Jones – 70

Toronto Blue Jays vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Numbers

Blue Jays

AVG: .236 (18)
OPS: .692 (18)
R: 220 (23)
HR: 49 (22)
ERA: 4.22 (21)
K: 438 (27)
WHIP: 1.31 (22)

Pirates

AVG: .229 (25)                       
OPS: .661 (25)
R: 224 (22)
HR: 52 (18)
ERA: 4.03 (16)
K: 470 (16)
WHIP: 1.27 (15)

Wrap Up

The Blue Jays did what they needed to do against the White Sox and took all three games which now makes them 5-1 against Chicago. In this series, they will avoid the top two phenom pitchers for the Pirates and they’ll have their top three starters going which gives them an advantage. If the bats can continue to put up runs like they did in their series against the White Sox in which they outscored them 15-4 they will take this series and be closing in on a chase for the final Wild Card spot.