Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wishes 3 hits towards the visiting Miami Marlins in a three-game collection that starts Friday evening to transform the 6th Toronto Blue Jay with a 200-hit season.
Guerrero went 2-for-4 in a 6-1 victory over the Boston Crimson Sox on Wednesday to offer him a .325 batting moderate, moment within the primary leagues to Bobby Witt Jr.’s .332.
The Blue Jays (74-85) ended a five-game dropping streak by way of taking the collection finale vs. the Crimson Sox.
Miami (59-100) will input the general collection of the 12 months with a depleted bullpen following a 13-inning, 8-6 victory over the host Minnesota Twins on Thursday evening within the decisive sport of a three-game collection. Miami used seven relievers in pushing Minnesota to the threshold of removing from playoff competition.
Two former contributors of the Blue Jays’ group — Otto Lopez and Griffin Conine — blended for 3 RBIs for the Marlins within the thirteenth.
If Guerrero reaches 200 hits, he would tie John Olerud, who had precisely that quantity whilst batting .363 in 1993, for 5th at the Blue Jays’ single-season hit checklist. Vernon Wells leads the checklist with 215 hits (2003) and is adopted by way of Tony Fernandez at 213 (1986), Paul Molitor at 211 (1993) and Shannon Stewart at 202 (2001).
Regardless of Guerrero’s manufacturing, the Blue Jays’ offense has struggled.
Toronto had no longer homered for 5 consecutive video games till Jonatan Clase hit a two-run shot within the 7th inning on Wednesday. It was once the primary occupation house run for the 22-year-old rookie heart fielder.
“I do know I will do various things for my workforce, however my major purpose is solely seeking to get on base,” Clase mentioned. “If I will get on base, I will lend a hand my workforce so much.”
Clase, who had 3 hits on Wednesday, was once obtained in July from the Seattle Mariners for reliever Yimi Garcia. He was once promoted to the Blue Jays from Triple-A Buffalo closing week.
Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk prolonged his hitting streak to 17 video games within the finale vs. the Crimson Sox. He’s batting .310 (22-for-71) all over that span.
Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (16-10, 3.38 ERA) will purpose to set a occupation prime in wins on Friday. Berrios is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two occupation begins towards the Marlins.
Miami is scheduled to begin right-hander Adam Oller (1-4, 5.06 ERA). In his handiest sport towards Toronto, on April 17, 2022, he took the loss, permitting 3 runs (two earned) in a three 1/3-inning get started for the Oakland A’s.
As for Miami’s former Blue Jays, Lopez stroked a go-ahead double within the thirteenth towards Minnesota, and Conine added a two-run unmarried. The Marlins’ dugout erupted in birthday party.
“It was once superior,” Conine mentioned. “That was once a definition of staying within the battle.”
The Marlins performed as though they had been in competition for a playoff spot.
“It is cool,” Conine mentioned. “That is the place we need to be sooner or later as a company.”
Lopez performed one sport for Toronto in 2021 and 8 video games in 2022 earlier than his contract was once bought to the San Francisco Giants previous to spring coaching this 12 months. Miami obtained him off waivers in April.
Conine, the son of Marlins franchise legend Jeff Conine, was once Toronto’s second-round draft select in 2018 however by no means made it to the majors with the Blue Jays. He was once obtained by way of the Marlins in a 2020 business.
Miami may face every other former teammate in Toronto this weekend. The Blue Jays claimed right-hander Brett de Geus off waivers from the Marlins on Sept. 12, they usually added him to the main league roster on Wednesday.
de Geus seemed in 11 primary league video games between the Mariners and Marlins this season, going 0-2 with a 5.00 ERA. In 58 occupation primary league video games, he’s 3-4 with a 7.17 ERA.
–Box Stage Media
