The Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds can’t afford many disastrous series if they want to remain in good positions in the closely contested wild-card races.
Both teams are in intense battles for the third and final wild-card spots in their respective leagues heading into a weekend series in Cincinnati.
The Blue Jays are just a half-game up on the Seattle Mariners after going 4-5 in their past nine games.
Meanwhile, the surprising Reds have cooled off, but remain in a three-way tie for the National League’s final wild-card spot with the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins.
Here’s a look at the Blue Jays-Reds series.
Probable Pitchers
Friday, 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT, Apple TV+, Sportsnet 590 The Fan: Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (9-8, 3.53 ERA) vs. Cincinnati RHP Brett Kennedy (1-0, 5.14 ERA)
Saturday, 6:40 p.m. ET / 3:40 p.m. PT, Sportsnet, Sportsnet NOW: Toronto RHP Chris Bassitt (11-6, 3.95 ERA) vs. Cincinnati LHP Brandon Williamson (4-2, 4.33 ERA)
Sunday, 1:40 p.m. ET / 10:40 a.m. PT, Sportsnet, Sportsnet NOW: Toronto LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (1-1, 2.57 ERA) vs. Cincinnati RHP Hunter Greene (2-4, 3.93 ERA)
Latest on the Blue Jays
The short-handed Blue Jays (67-55) settled for a split of a two-game mini-series with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies after a 9-4 loss on Wednesday.
Leading 4-2 in the fifth, the Blue Jays let it slip away as third baseman Santiago Espinal made a bad throw to first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who couldn’t make the pick for what would have been the final out. It led to the Phillies’ second and third runs of the inning, giving the visitors a 5-4 lead — an edge they would not relinquish.
Daulton Varsho hit his second homer in three games, a promising sign for a guy who has been searching for consistency all year.
Utility man Cavan Biggio also has been swinging a hot bat for Toronto.
Latest on the Reds
After a 100-loss season last year, the youthful Reds (63-59) are contending for a playoff spot this season.
Apart from the 2020 shortened season, Cincinnati hasn’t made the playoffs since 2013. The Reds’ last post-season series victory was way back in 1995.
The Reds are coming off a split of a two-game series with the state rival Cleveland Guardians.
Cincinnati won the finale 7-2 on Wednesday to surpass its win total from last season. TJ Friedl had three hits and made two outstanding catches in the outfield.
Injury Report
Here’s where things could improve in a big way for the Blue Jays.
After playing his second rehab game with triple-A Buffalo on Thursday night, shortstop Bo Bichette (right patellar tendinitis) said he’ll play for the Blue Jays on Saturday. Toronto also could activate outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (right elbow laceration) and reliever Trevor Richards (neck inflammation) from the injured list for this series.
Third baseman Matt Chapman (right middle finger inflammation), who has missed the past three games, also could return.
For the Reds, Greene (right hip) is set to start Sunday for the first time in two months. He was the Reds’ opening-day starter and had a 2.97 ERA in his five starts before the injury.
Canadian Corner
Could this be the last series Toronto native Joey Votto plays against the Blue Jays as a Red?
Votto, who turns 40 on Sept. 10, doesn’t control his future. The Reds have a $20-million club option, with a $7-million buyout, on his contract for next season.
Votto, whose season was cut short by shoulder surgery last year, made his 2023 season debut in mid-June and has looked good. He has an .825 OPS to go along with 13 home runs.
Votto was the NL’s MVP in 2010 and is a six-time all-star.
Cruz Control
While he isn’t playing at the same level as he did in his tremendous start to his rookie season, 21-year-old Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz remains a significant threat with the bat (10 homers since debuting on June 6) and on the basepaths (19 stolen bases).
De La Cruz became the youngest player to hit for the cycle since 1972 in June. Last month, the Dominican became the first Red since 1919 to steal second, third and home in the same inning.
De La Cruz reached 10 homers and 15 stolen bases in 58 games, second-fastest to only Barry Bonds since 1900.
Running Game
Blue Jays pitchers and catchers will have to pay close attention to Reds baserunners.
De La Cruz and Co. lead the majors with 139 stolen bases this season.
Closing It Out
Two 2023 all-star closers are available in this series.
Alexis Diaz was the Reds’ lone all-star this season. The second-year major leaguer is tied for the MLB lead with 33 saves.
Toronto’s Jordan Romano isn’t far behind with 29.
2022 Season Series
The Blue Jays took two of three from the visiting Reds last May. Neither team scored more than three runs in any game.
Ryu pitched six innings of shutout ball in a series-opening 2-1 win.
Out of Town
After taking three of four from the lowly Kansas City Royals, the Mariners have a far tougher test this weekend in Houston against the Astros.
The Red Sox, 3.5 games behind the Blue Jays, are in New York to face the free-falling Yankees.
Up Next
After three series against NL playoff contenders, the Blue Jays are in Baltimore to face the AL-leading Baltimore Orioles for a three-game series starting Tuesday.
