The Toronto Blue Jays will try to bounce back from a 1-5 road trip when they welcome an in-form Triston Casas and the Boston Red Sox to town on Monday night for the first game of a three-game series.
Toronto (73-83) is coming off a three-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Rays, most recently losing 4-3 on Sunday.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. he went 3-for-5 in the last loss, also recording his 100th RBI of the season. He hit 7-for-14 (.500) in the series against Tampa Bay. “It’s a great personal achievement and to do it the way he did, especially in the second half, it speaks volumes for his quality and talent,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said of Guerrero, who hit 100 RBI. “Hopefully he can take a deep breath and say, ‘I’ve got 30 (home runs) and 100 (RBI)’ and get a little bit more in each of those categories.”
Casas also looks to continue his momentum into the upcoming series after hitting three homers and collecting seven RBIs in the first game of Boston’s doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The Red Sox (78-78) swept the doubleheader, winning Game 1 8-1 before winning Game 2 9-3.
“It’s a good feeling. I know I have that potential — maybe not to hit three home runs every game, but to hit the ball like that,” Casas said. “I know I can do it. It’s just a matter of consistency and doing it consistently.”
Right-hander Chris Bassitt (10-13, 4.16 ERA) will be the one tasked with controlling Casas, as he is expected to make his 31st start of the season on Monday. Bassitt allowed seven runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers last Tuesday, but only one of those runs was earned. He managed to stay out of the decision in this outing.
In six career starts against Boston, Bassitt is 2-1 with a 2.21 ERA. He faced the Red Sox three times this year alone, going 0-1 with a 2.29 ERA.
Boston plans to tackle righty Tanner Houck (8-10, 3.21). In his last outing, Houck lasted four innings against the Rays on Wednesday, not giving up a decision after allowing one run on four hits.
Houck will face Toronto for the eighth time in his career, with six of his previous meetings coming against American League East rival Boston. He is 0-1 with a 3.94 ERA against the Blue Jays.
Houck will likely be under increased pressure to perform, as the Red Sox are dangerously close to being officially eliminated from playoff contention. Boston is currently four games behind the Kansas City Royals, who hold the third and final American League wild card. The Red Sox have six games remaining.
“We have to keep playing,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We’ll keep playing until the end.”
Boston is 6-4 against the Blue Jays in 2024.