Rallying Against Rivals: Can the Blue Jays Stage a Critical Turnaround Against the Red Sox?

Series Preview: Blue Jays in desperate need of turnaround vs. Red Sox

The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a tough situation after a disastrous series against the Texas Rangers. In order to have a chance at making a last-ditch push for a playoff spot, the Blue Jays need to do something they haven’t been able to do all year – beat American League East teams. With a 12-25 record against the East this season, the Blue Jays have a tough task ahead as they begin a 15-game stretch against division rivals to close out the season.

Probable Pitchers

• Friday, 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (10-10, 3.63 ERA) vs. Boston RHP Brayan Bello (12-8, 3.68 ERA)
• Saturday, 3:07 p.m. ET / 12:07 p.m. PT: Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (14-8, 3.83 ERA) vs. Boston LHP Chris Sale (6-4, 4.88 ERA)
• Sunday, 1:37 p.m. ET / 10:37 a.m. PT: Toronto LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3, 2.93 ERA) vs. Boston RHP Nick Pivetta (9-9, 4.56 ERA)

Latest on the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays had a terrible series against the Texas Rangers, losing all four games and pushing them 1.5 games back of the Seattle Mariners for the final wild-card spot. The Blue Jays also find themselves 2.5 games behind the Rangers for the second wild-card spot. To make matters worse, the Blue Jays don’t hold the tiebreaker against any of their potential wild-card competitors. The series against the Rangers saw the Blue Jays being outscored 35-9, and in the last two games, the team heard boos from their own fans. However, there was a bright spot as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run in 10 games.

Latest on the Red Sox

The Red Sox had a legitimate shot at a wild-card spot entering September, but they have since lost seven of their last 10 games and find themselves 7.5 games behind the leaders. The team recently fired their chief baseball officer, Chaim Bloom, and is tied with the New York Yankees for last place in the AL East. The Red Sox are in danger of finishing in the division basement for the third time in four years.

Season Series

The Red Sox have been a tough opponent for the Blue Jays this year, winning seven of the 10 games they’ve played. However, the Blue Jays managed to break their winless streak against the Red Sox with a three-game sweep at Fenway Park in their last meeting in early August. Pitchers Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt got the wins in the last two games, and the series also saw the memorable major-league debut of Davis Schneider, who homered in his first at-bat.

Canadian Corner

On Sunday, Toronto-native Nick Pivetta will be the starting pitcher for the Red Sox, replacing fellow Canadian James Paxton, who was shut down for the season with a knee injury. Pivetta recently had a solid outing against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits in 5.1 innings.

Up Next

After an off-day on Monday, the Blue Jays will begin their final road trip of the season with a three-game series against the New York Yankees.

With their playoff hopes dwindling, the Blue Jays desperately need a turnaround in this series against the Red Sox. The team must find a way to overcome their struggles against division rivals and start winning against AL East opponents. It won’t be an easy task, as the Red Sox have proven to be a tough opponent throughout the season. However, the Blue Jays have shown flashes of brilliance, such as their sweep of the Red Sox earlier in the year. They must draw on that success and find the confidence to compete at a high level.

On the pitching side, the Blue Jays will rely on the likes of Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, and Hyun Jin Ryu to deliver strong performances and give their team a chance to win. These pitchers have the ability to shut down opposing hitters and provide a spark for the Blue Jays’ offense. However, they will face tough competition in the form of Brayan Bello, Chris Sale, and Nick Pivetta, who will be looking to keep the Blue Jays’ struggling offense at bay.

The key for the Blue Jays will be to get their offense clicking again. Players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and Marcus Semien need to step up and provide the much-needed offensive firepower. They have shown throughout the season that they have the ability to carry the team offensively, and they need to do so now more than ever. Additionally, the Blue Jays’ bullpen must find stability and prevent late-game collapses, which have plagued the team in recent games.

This series against the Red Sox is make-or-break for the Blue Jays’ playoff hopes. A successful turnaround would give the team a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. However, a poor performance could be devastating and effectively end their chances of making the playoffs. The Blue Jays have the talent and potential to compete with the best teams in the league, but they need to prove it on the field.

The fans in Toronto have shown unwavering support for the Blue Jays throughout the season, and they deserve to see their team fight until the very end. It’s time for the Blue Jays to dig deep, overcome their struggles, and show the resilience that their manager, John Schneider, believes they possess. A successful turnaround would not only keep their playoff hopes alive but would also provide a sense of pride and accomplishment for the team and their loyal fanbase.