The Toronto Blue Jays will try to salvage the finale of their three-game set with the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
Toronto entered the weekend with plenty of momentum after the offence exploded for 24 runs against the Minnesota Twins. But against Milwaukee pitching, that production has all but disappeared — and the bullpen has continued struggling, to boot.
The Blue Jays have managed just three runs over the first two games, dropping a 7-2 decision on Friday and falling 4-1 on Saturday.
In the latter contest, the teams were tied 1-1 entering the ninth inning before closer Jeff Hoffman allowed a pair of homers in a three-run inning, throwing his status at the back end of the bullpen into doubt yet again as his ERA ballooned to 5.11
Te back-to-back losses have the Jays facing the possibility of being swept for the first time since mid-June. While they continue to hold the top spot in the American League East, Sunday’s finale carries some weight as September approaches.
The New York Yankees have pulled within two games of the Blue Jays for the AL East lead after beating the Chicago White Sox in extra innings Saturday. The Boston Red Sox remain three-and-a-half games behind following a 10-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will make his 13th start of the season as Toronto looks to avoid the sweep. The 40-year-old is 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA and has been steady at home, posting a 3-0 record with a 4.00 ERA in seven outings at Rogers Centre.
Scherzer earned the win in his last appearance, working six innings and striking out five in a 10-4 victory over Minnesota on Monday. In his career against the Brewers, he owns a 3-5 record and 2.88 ERA in 14 career appearances while averaging nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Brewers will hand the ball to right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who has been one of their most reliable arms this season. The 32-year-old is 5-1 with a 3.10 ERA through nine starts since returning from injury and has been particularly dominant on the road.
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In four starts away from Milwaukee, he is 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA and a 0.63 WHIP, allowing just 10 hits across 22.1 innings. Woodruff struggled in his last outing, giving up five runs, and will be making his first career start against the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays will also need their bats to rebound. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette were quiet again in Saturday’s loss, combining for one hit and two strikeouts. Toronto had seven hits in the game, but three of those came off the bat of Myles Straw, while Guerrero Jr. had the lone RBI on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.
The Brewers’ pitching staff has leaned on strike-throwing and soft contact to neutralize Toronto’s hitters. Cracking that formula on Sunday will be key if the Jays are to avoid a sweep and regain some momentum heading into another crucial stretch of divisional games.
What’s at stake
Another loss would allow the Yankees to draw closer to the Blue Jays with the two teams set to meet next weekend in the Bronx.
Watch Sunday’s series finale on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting with Blue Jays Central previewing the action at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT followed by first pitch at 1:37 p.m. ET / 10:37 a.m. PT.
