The Toronto Blue Jays start the 2024 season with a four-game series on the road against a division rival as they take on the Tampa Bay Rays starting today.
Toronto Blue Jays (0-0) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (0-0)
Game 1:
Date: Thursday, March 28
Time: 4:10 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Game 2:
Date: Friday, March 29
Time: 6:50 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Game 3:
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 4:10 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Game 4:
Date: Sunday, March 31
Time: 1:40 pm EST
Broadcast: Sportsnet
Probable Starting Pitchers
Game 1: Jose Berrios (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Zach Eflin (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Berrios will get the ball on Opening Day for Toronto, last season he made 32 starts going 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA, a 3.99 FIP, a 1.18 WHIP, and 184 strikeouts in 189.2 innings. This spring he made four starts going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 13 innings. In his career against Tampa Bay, he has made ten starts going 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 55 innings. Zach Eflin will oppose Berrios for Tampa Bay and last season he made 31 starts going 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA, a 3.01 FIP, a 1.02 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts in 177.2 innings. This spring he made three starts going 0-3 with an 8.49 ERA, a 1.71 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 11.2 innings. In his career against Toronto, he is 2-2 in five appearances with a 5.64 ERA, a 1.66 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 22.1 innings of work.
Game 2: Chris Bassitt (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Aaron Civale (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Bassitt gets the ball for game two and last season he made 33 starts going 16-8 with a 3.60 ERA, a 4.28 FIP, a 1.17 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts in 200 innings. This spring he made six appearances with five of them coming as starts going 1-2 with a 4.30 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 23 innings. In his career against the Rays, he has made five appearances going 1-2 with a 2.51 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Civale will go up against Bassitt, last season after being acquired by the Rays he made ten starts going 2-3 with a 5.36 ERA, a 3.63 FIP, a 1.36 WHIP, and 58 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. This spring he made three starts going 1-1 with a 5.25 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and nine strikeouts in 12 innings. In his career against the Jays, he has made three starts going 1-2 with a 6.08 ERA, a 1.58 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
Game 3: Yusei Kikuchi (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Zack Littell (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Kikuchi will get the third game of the series and in 2023 he made 32 starts going 11-6 with a 3.86 ERA, a 4.12 FIP, a 1.27 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 167.2 innings. This spring he made three starts going 1-2 with a 16.43 ERA, a 2.47 WHIP, and ten strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Against the Rays in his career, he is 5-1 in nine appearances with a 3.48 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts in 44 innings. Littell will get the ball for Tampa Bay and last season he made 26 appearances with the Rays going 3-6 with a 3.93 ERA, a 3.99 FIP, a 1.14 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 87 innings. This spring he made four starts going 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. Against Toronto in his career, he has appeared in three games going 0-0 with a 6.14 ERA, a 1.91 WHIP, and seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings.
Game 4: Bowden Francis (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Tyler Alexander (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Francis gets the fourth game, last season he appeared in 20 games going 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA, a 3.86 FIP, a 0.82 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in 36.1 innings. This spring the way he pitched earned him a spot in the rotation making five appearances with four coming as starts going 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 18.2 innings. He has never faced Tampa Bay in his career. Alexander will get the finale for Tampa Bay, last season he made 25 appearances with one of those coming as a start for the Tigers he went 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts in 44 innings. This spring he appeared in three games with one coming as a start with a 2.00 ERA, a 1.44 WHIP, and five strikeouts in nine innings. He has made four appearances against the Blue Jays in his career with three of those coming as starts going 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and ten strikeouts in 20.2 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Tampa Bay Rays Leaders
(Spring Training Players)
Blue Jays:
AVG – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – .463
HR – Kevin Kiermaier – 4
RBI – Brian Serven – 12
IP – Chris Bassitt – 23.0
ERA – Jose Berrios – 1.38
K – Chris Bassitt – 22
Rays:
AVG – Josh Lowe – .667
HR – Randy Arozarena – 4
RBI – Curtis Mead – 8
IP – Ryan Pepiot – 19.1
ERA – Zack Littell – 1.35
K – Ryan Pepiot – 24
Blue Jays vs. Rays Leaders
(Spring Training Rank)
Blue Jays
AVG: .269 (7)
OPS: .804 (5)
R: 181 (5)
HR: 42 (7)
ERA: 5.01 (24)
K: 304 (5)
WHIP: 1.38 (14)
Rays
AVG: .250 (16)
OPS: .712 (20)
R: 139 (20)
HR: 32 (16)
ERA: 4.83 (19)
K: 284 (14)
WHIP: 1.33 (8)
Wrap Up
The Toronto Blue Jays look to start 2024 off on the right foot and have a lot of expectations for 2024 with the additions they have made in signing Justin Turner to be their designated hitter and what he will provide to the lineup they currently have featuring Bo Bichette, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. there’s a lot to be excited about on top of the pitching they have which they hope will lead them to series win over the Rays and starting the season off on the right foot.
