In what’s been a surprisingly successful year for the Toronto Blue Jays, it makes sense that they haven’t been on the wrong side of a sweep too often.
Sunday presents another notch in that challenge, however, as Toronto will aim to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ begins at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.
Taking the mound for the Jays will be Eric Lauer, who’s coming off a solid outing against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, earning the win after giving up one run over six innings of work.
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Watch Blue Jays vs. Dodgers on Sportsnet
The American League-leading Toronto Blue Jays are in Los Angeles for a three-game series against the Dodgers. Game 3 goes Sunday at 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. PT, with live coverage on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+
The 30-year-old is in the midst of a bounce-back season for the Blue Jays, establishing himself among the team’s most effective starters with a 7-2 record, 2.59 ERA and 0.975 WHIP in 80 innings of work.
Squaring off against Lauer will be Dodgers star Tyler Glasnow, who has returned to his near-ace status despite missing time with injury early in the year, earning a 3.06 ERA and 1.085 WHIP while striking out 56 in 47 innings.
The 31-year-old is coming off a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals that saw him go seven innings, giving up only one run and striking out seven.
Having spent time in the American League East with the Tampa Bay Rays before being dealt to the Dodgers, the Blue Jays have a bevy of experience against Glasnow. The righty carries a 6.15 ERA and 1.390 WHIP in 10 starts against Toronto.
But after an explosive series against the Colorado Rockies to start the week — one that saw the Blue Jays hit at historic levels — Toronto’s offence has cooled down at Dodger Stadium, scoring only one run in each of the first two games this series.
They were shut down by two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell on Saturday, with the lefty pitching five innings of scoreless ball while striking out 10. On Friday, in a battle of modern pitching legends, Clayton Kershaw out-duelled Max Scherzer over six innings of one-run ball.
On the other end, the Dodgers’ offence stole the show in Game 2, with Shohei Ohtani hitting round-tripper No. 40 and the rest of the lineup dominating with a six-run rally in the sixth inning.
Ernie Clement scored the only run for Toronto, hitting a solo shot in the eighth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk went a combined 0-for-11 on the night.
Despite the two losses, the Blue Jays still sit atop the AL with a 68-50 record, one game ahead of the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, the 68-49 Dodgers sit atop the NL West but are 4.5 games back of the NL-leading Milwaukee Brewers
The Blue Jays will have the day off Monday before returning to Rogers Centre on Tuesday for a three-game inter-league set against the Chicago Cubs.
