Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 4, 2023 14:40:26 GMT -5
Toronto Blue Jays (62-45) @ Kansas City Royals (69-38)
TOR: Mac Eberle (10-7, 3.55)
KC: Taylor Lehman (8-0, 2.47)
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
3.59: Toronto’s starting pitching ERA: While Toronto has moved on from the glory days of Thomas Szapucki and T.J. Zeuch pitching the club deep into the postseason, the latest incarnation of the Jays has a terrific staff in its own right. Toronto ranks third in starting pitching ERA. Danny Richardson is the ace, Devin Ortiz the solid veteran, and Tanh Dai is the hotshot youngster. However, Aaron Dunham has stabilized the rotation with a pair of old friends from Atlanta—backend starter Nate Capriglione, and tonight’s arm, Marc Eberle. No longer challenging for ERA titles, Eberle is still posting terrific seasons on the regular. He had 4.4 WAR last year and a solid 3.97 ERA. This year, he already has 3.7 WAR and an excellent 3.55 mark. He’s striking out more than a batter an inning for the first time since 2026 and continues to allow fewer than a homer-per-nine. Always a bet to go deep into games, expect a long outing from Eberle today.
.945: Cortez Castaneda’s OPS: Castaneda hit just .199 last year, so he’s spent most of this year in Buffalo proving he can hit a decent average. Proving that with a .311 mark, he’s been up with the big club since late June and has crushed PBA pitching. A .261 mark is healthy for a 23-year-old, and Castaneda’s walked 17 times, clubbed eight homers, and pitched in five doubles in 111 plate appearances. He’s hitting like a middle-of-the-order slugger, and that’s a huge boost for a Blue Jays team that’s only eighth in runs scored.
4: Wins in four games against the Royals: Toronto has taken a series from Kansas City this year, taking all four north of the border to close a strong June and begin a rough July against a rough schedule. August is a balanced slate and Toronto will want to build momentum before a September that features nine contests against Red Sox and Orioles teams fighting with them in the standings. Toronto got comeback wins to take the first two of their contests with Kansas City in their final at bats, before Matt Aceto homered twice, doubled, and drove in six to beat up Zeuch and take the third game. Marc Eberle went 8.1 allowing four runs, two earned, to close out the sweep. Toronto will look for more of the same from Eberle to begin this series.
Royals 3 Key Stats
8: Wins in eight decisions for Taylor Lehman: Lehman, one of the game’s underrated arms, hasn’t lost a decision for Kansas City this year. Lehman works perfectly with what Daniel Kent wants in his pitchers. Lehman has a career best 1.4% home run rate, and has had a stellar home run rate since his second season pitching for Tampa Bay. His walk rate is terrific, and had been exemplary until last season. His strikeout rate is only 16%, but Kansas City trusts their defense to handle balls in play. The formula continues to work for Lehman as he continues his strong career.
19: Roderick Dalton extra base hits this month: Dalton had been having a solid first half of the year, but wasn’t quite the MVP force he was at his peak in Detroit. That changed in July. He’s hitting .333 with nine homers and 10 doubles, good for a .744 slugging percentage. He’s also walked 12 times and produced a 1.156 OPS. It’s been a massive month. With Jorge Vargas also having a huge July, Kansas City has been fourth in runs for the month and has jumped into the lead in the AL Central.
.186: Quadir Murriel’s average: Murriel has been pressed into a larger role with Joey Young’s injury, but he’s struggling to produce. His defense at Second Base has remained strong, which is most important, and he’s drawing enough walks to have a .329 OBP. However, he has 101 strikeouts already and he has a .292 slugging percentage. He’s been a good utility player, but that’s a rough number for a starting player. With T.J. Hardman now on board, it’ll be interesting to see if Hardman digs into Murriel’s playing time down the stretch.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, Ernesto Montemayor got off to a huge start, but he’s been struggling in July. Has he hit a wall or is just a minor rough patch?
Mike Gaytan has struggled for you with a bunch of walks and a huge BABIP against. Is he someone who deserves to be on your PBA club?
You have Pal Khan demoted to a backup role, with Bobby O’Keefe called up as well. What is O’Keefe’s role with such a deep outfield?
For Daniel Kent, what roles will T.J. Hardman and Quadir Murriel play down the stretch?
You acquired Jeff Payton, though he’s mainly pitched in a relief role. Any thoughts on promoting him to a starting role?
Xavier Edwards’ offense has really fallen off this year. Will he be starting for you next season or will you look to replace him?
TRIVIA: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is tied for first in WBC homers. Who is he tied with?
TOR: Mac Eberle (10-7, 3.55)
KC: Taylor Lehman (8-0, 2.47)
Blue Jays 3 Key Stats
3.59: Toronto’s starting pitching ERA: While Toronto has moved on from the glory days of Thomas Szapucki and T.J. Zeuch pitching the club deep into the postseason, the latest incarnation of the Jays has a terrific staff in its own right. Toronto ranks third in starting pitching ERA. Danny Richardson is the ace, Devin Ortiz the solid veteran, and Tanh Dai is the hotshot youngster. However, Aaron Dunham has stabilized the rotation with a pair of old friends from Atlanta—backend starter Nate Capriglione, and tonight’s arm, Marc Eberle. No longer challenging for ERA titles, Eberle is still posting terrific seasons on the regular. He had 4.4 WAR last year and a solid 3.97 ERA. This year, he already has 3.7 WAR and an excellent 3.55 mark. He’s striking out more than a batter an inning for the first time since 2026 and continues to allow fewer than a homer-per-nine. Always a bet to go deep into games, expect a long outing from Eberle today.
.945: Cortez Castaneda’s OPS: Castaneda hit just .199 last year, so he’s spent most of this year in Buffalo proving he can hit a decent average. Proving that with a .311 mark, he’s been up with the big club since late June and has crushed PBA pitching. A .261 mark is healthy for a 23-year-old, and Castaneda’s walked 17 times, clubbed eight homers, and pitched in five doubles in 111 plate appearances. He’s hitting like a middle-of-the-order slugger, and that’s a huge boost for a Blue Jays team that’s only eighth in runs scored.
4: Wins in four games against the Royals: Toronto has taken a series from Kansas City this year, taking all four north of the border to close a strong June and begin a rough July against a rough schedule. August is a balanced slate and Toronto will want to build momentum before a September that features nine contests against Red Sox and Orioles teams fighting with them in the standings. Toronto got comeback wins to take the first two of their contests with Kansas City in their final at bats, before Matt Aceto homered twice, doubled, and drove in six to beat up Zeuch and take the third game. Marc Eberle went 8.1 allowing four runs, two earned, to close out the sweep. Toronto will look for more of the same from Eberle to begin this series.
Royals 3 Key Stats
8: Wins in eight decisions for Taylor Lehman: Lehman, one of the game’s underrated arms, hasn’t lost a decision for Kansas City this year. Lehman works perfectly with what Daniel Kent wants in his pitchers. Lehman has a career best 1.4% home run rate, and has had a stellar home run rate since his second season pitching for Tampa Bay. His walk rate is terrific, and had been exemplary until last season. His strikeout rate is only 16%, but Kansas City trusts their defense to handle balls in play. The formula continues to work for Lehman as he continues his strong career.
19: Roderick Dalton extra base hits this month: Dalton had been having a solid first half of the year, but wasn’t quite the MVP force he was at his peak in Detroit. That changed in July. He’s hitting .333 with nine homers and 10 doubles, good for a .744 slugging percentage. He’s also walked 12 times and produced a 1.156 OPS. It’s been a massive month. With Jorge Vargas also having a huge July, Kansas City has been fourth in runs for the month and has jumped into the lead in the AL Central.
.186: Quadir Murriel’s average: Murriel has been pressed into a larger role with Joey Young’s injury, but he’s struggling to produce. His defense at Second Base has remained strong, which is most important, and he’s drawing enough walks to have a .329 OBP. However, he has 101 strikeouts already and he has a .292 slugging percentage. He’s been a good utility player, but that’s a rough number for a starting player. With T.J. Hardman now on board, it’ll be interesting to see if Hardman digs into Murriel’s playing time down the stretch.
Questions for the GMs:
For Aaron Dunham, Ernesto Montemayor got off to a huge start, but he’s been struggling in July. Has he hit a wall or is just a minor rough patch?
Mike Gaytan has struggled for you with a bunch of walks and a huge BABIP against. Is he someone who deserves to be on your PBA club?
You have Pal Khan demoted to a backup role, with Bobby O’Keefe called up as well. What is O’Keefe’s role with such a deep outfield?
For Daniel Kent, what roles will T.J. Hardman and Quadir Murriel play down the stretch?
You acquired Jeff Payton, though he’s mainly pitched in a relief role. Any thoughts on promoting him to a starting role?
Xavier Edwards’ offense has really fallen off this year. Will he be starting for you next season or will you look to replace him?
TRIVIA: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is tied for first in WBC homers. Who is he tied with?
