Blue Jays at Braves
The Toronto Blue Jays head south to open a two-game series Monday at the Atlanta Braves, seeking offensive production of some type after being no-hit for the sixth time in franchise history in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat against Houston. Toronto had no answer for Houston ace Justin Verlander, striking out 14 times and only drawing one walk to fall for the 10th time in its past 13 games on a two-run homer in the top of the ninth off closer Ken Giles.
Second baseman Cavin Biggio drew that walk in the first inning, giving the rookie at least one base on balls in eight consecutive games - tied for fourth-longest in franchise history. The Braves maintained their 5 1/2-game lead in the National League East and capped a three-game home sweep of the White Sox with Sunday’s 5-3 triumph, improving to 12-2 in their past 14 contests. First baseman Freddie Freeman homered twice and drove in five runs, and begins the week with career highs in both categories (38 homers, 114 RBIs). The Braves and Blue Jays split a two-game series last week in Toronto, the hosts winning the opener 3-1 as Justin Smoak homered among two hits, before Atlanta took the finale 9-4 as Matt Joyce homered and finished 3-for-5.
TV: 1:20 p.m. ET, TVA, Sportsnet (Toronto), FS Southeast (Atlanta)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Jacob Waguespack (4-2, 3.93 ERA) vs. Braves RH Mike Soroka (10-3, 2.44)
Waguespack gets his second consecutive start against Atlanta, and he hopes for better results than last Wednesday when he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts over three innings. The 25-year-old had posted his best start of the season six days earlier against the Los Angeles Dodgers, firing seven shutout innings with one hit allowed and five strikeouts. Waguespack has pitched far better on the road, going 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in six games (five starts).
Soroka makes his second start in a row against the Blue Jays and the Canadian looks to rebound from his first loss since July 20, giving up two runs on eight hits with one strikeout in six innings of a 3-1 defeat last Tuesday. The 22-year-old entered Sunday second in the NL in ERA, third in WAR for pitchers (5.2) and 10th in WHIP (1.09). Soroka is 0-2 in his past eight starts despite a 2.81 ERA and 31 strikeouts against 11 walks over 51 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Braves OF Ronald Acuña Jr. stole two bases Sunday, giving him a NL-best 33 steals on the season.
2. Toronto rookie 3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .350 with 10 doubles, seven homers and 33 RBIs in his past 37 games.
3. Atlanta INF/OF Johan Camargo, who hit .483 in 14 games with Triple-A Gwinnett after being demoted Aug. 16, was recalled Sunday and doubled as a pinch-hitter in the sixth.