The Toronto Blue Jays will look to flex their offensive muscles again Wednesday night when they chase a series victory against the Cincinnati Reds.
George Springer belted two homers while Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho each went deep for the second straight game in Toronto’s 12-9 triumph Tuesday. The power surge allowed the Blue Jays (80-59) to maintain a two-and-a-half game lead atop the AL East.
Bichette, who saw his career-best 14-game hitting streak end on Sunday, collected four hits in Monday’s loss before launching a three-run shot in the second inning on Tuesday. Varsho then followed with a solo blast in the seventh.
Springer continues to produce, and his 26 home runs are the most he’s ever hit in a season with the Blue Jays. The 35-year-old has been swinging a hot bat since the All-Star break, hitting .402 (43-for-107) with 10 homers in that span.
Shane Bieber will take the mound for the Blue Jays and is coming off back-to-back strong outings since returning from Tommy John surgery, striking out 15 without issuing a walk over 10.1 innings. The only real blemish for Bieber was a home run that he gave up in his last outing against Milwaukee before handing the ball to the bullpen.
The Blue Jays could use a big outing from Bieber, who is 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA in six career starts against Cincinnati.
The bullpen had to carry the load on Tuesday after starter Jose Berrios went just two innings, allowing six runs (two of them earned), while five relievers, including closer Jeff Hoffman, had to navigate a hitting frenzy for both teams.
Cincinnati counters with right-hander Zack Littell (9-8, 3.63), who has allowed four runs in three of his last four outings. Littell has had success against Toronto in limited action, going 2-0 with a 3.48 ERA in five career appearances when he was a member of the Rays.
First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
