PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* EARLY AFTERNOON ASSAULT >> SICK 114-73-3 MLB RUN!
(MLB) Toronto vs. Detroit,
Money Line: -110.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -110.00 Toronto (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Blue Jays entered the season off back-to-back appearances in the ALCS in 2015 and 2016 but Toronto just can't seem to find a groove, after opening 2-11 (team was 8-17 at the close of April). The Jays returned from the All Star break to win 7-2 in Detroit on Friday but then got clobbered on Saturday, as the Tigers bounced back with their highest offensive output in a month in an 11-1 victory. J.D. Martinez and Miguel Cabrera each had three hits and a HR (Martinez had five RBI) but Detroit is still just 40-49 on the season. The Blue Jays failed to build on Friday's 7-2 series opening win, as they managed just two hits in the entire game plus needed their bullpen for six innings after Francisco Liriano exited early with neck stiffness. Toronto sits at 42-48 and is tied for last-place in the AL East with Baltimore. The Jays and Tigers play the rubber match of this three-game series early Sunday afternoon in Detroit.
The pitching matchup: Marco Estrada (4-6 & 5.17 ERA) takes the hill for the Jays and Anibal Sanchez (1-0 & 5.89 ERA) for the Tigers. Estrada won his last two starts in May, striking out 20 and giving up two runs over 13 2/3 innings, leaving him 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA. However, his season has fallen apart since. He gave up six runs and four walks over 4 2/3 innings versus the New York Yankees right before the break, marking the fifth time in his last seven starts in which he has failed to get through five innings. Estrada is 0-4 with a bloated 9.46 ERA during a seven-start win-less drought (team is 2-5). Sanchez had a 9.00 ERA in mid-May when he was sent to the minors after making 11 appearances, all in relief. However, since joining the rotation upon his recall, he has been a changed pitcher. He owns a 3.09 ERA over four starts and has put together a string of three consecutive quality starts heading into this one. Sanchez is 3-3 with a 5.28 ERA in eight career starts against the Blue Jays (teams are 4-4).
The pick: Estrada will make his second career start against Detroit (1-0 & 3.60 ERA) when he opposes Anibal Sanchez. Note that Sanchez led the AL with a 2.57 ERA in 2013, which is the reason the Tigers gave him "one last shot" in the rotation. However, 2013 is a long time ago. Meanwhile, it's true that Estrada is win-less since May 27 but he was an American League All-Star selection in 2016. Make Toronto a 10* play.
The pitching matchup: Marco Estrada (4-6 & 5.17 ERA) takes the hill for the Jays and Anibal Sanchez (1-0 & 5.89 ERA) for the Tigers. Estrada won his last two starts in May, striking out 20 and giving up two runs over 13 2/3 innings, leaving him 4-2 with a 3.15 ERA. However, his season has fallen apart since. He gave up six runs and four walks over 4 2/3 innings versus the New York Yankees right before the break, marking the fifth time in his last seven starts in which he has failed to get through five innings. Estrada is 0-4 with a bloated 9.46 ERA during a seven-start win-less drought (team is 2-5). Sanchez had a 9.00 ERA in mid-May when he was sent to the minors after making 11 appearances, all in relief. However, since joining the rotation upon his recall, he has been a changed pitcher. He owns a 3.09 ERA over four starts and has put together a string of three consecutive quality starts heading into this one. Sanchez is 3-3 with a 5.28 ERA in eight career starts against the Blue Jays (teams are 4-4).
The pick: Estrada will make his second career start against Detroit (1-0 & 3.60 ERA) when he opposes Anibal Sanchez. Note that Sanchez led the AL with a 2.57 ERA in 2013, which is the reason the Tigers gave him "one last shot" in the rotation. However, 2013 is a long time ago. Meanwhile, it's true that Estrada is win-less since May 27 but he was an American League All-Star selection in 2016. Make Toronto a 10* play.
