Series preview: Blue Jays at Guardians

The Blue Jays come to Cleveland tonight for a weekend series after winning a series against the Guardians in Toronto last week.

Toronto has a record of 35-39 with a run differential of -40 (after Cleveland left, they promptly lost three games in a row), they are 21st in MLB with a team WRC+ of 95, 25th in baserunning with a -3.9 BSR, lead in defensive WAR with 14.7, 15th in starting pitcher FIP with 4.06, and last in reliever FIP with 4.90.

Cleveland is 46-26 with a run differential of +94, is ninth in MLB with 108 wRC+ as a team, 23rd in baserunning with -2.9 BSR, ninth in defensive WAR with 0.2, 27th in starting pitcher FIP with 4.55 and first in reliever FIP with 2.76.

Pairings:

TBD vs. Carlos Carrasco, RHP Friday, June 21, 2024, 7:10 p.m. EST

analysis: Wouldn’t it be great to get one last glimpse of Cookie’s greatness before Gavin Williams likely replaces him in the rotation? I certainly hope so, because his last few appearances have unfortunately been very poor.

Jose Berrios, RHP vs. Ben Lively, RHP Saturday, June 22, 2024, 4:10 p.m. EST

analysis: Lively will look to get his great season back on track on what is expected to be an extremely hot afternoon in Cleveland. It will be important for Cleveland to get Berrios to work and actually compete against the weak Blue Jays bullpen.

Yusei Kikuchi, LHP vs. Triston McKenzie, RHP Sunday, June 23, 2024, 1:40 p.m. EST

analysis: Cleveland gets a look at a popular potential trade piece in Kikuchi. Hopefully they can get his price down and McKenzie can get back on track during this rough patch for him.