GDT: 2/3 Los Angeles Angels @ Toronto Blue Jays (Saturday 3:07 ET)

[JaysAllMighty]

Saturday, July 29, 2023 03:07 PM (ET)

Matchup

 

Last Meeting ( Jul 28, 2023 ) LA Angels 1, Toronto 4

The Toronto Blue Jays took the opener of their three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels 4-1 on Friday, but the game ended with both teams sweating health concerns ahead of the Saturday rematch.

 

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who went 2-for-4 and hit his major-league-leading 39th home run of the season, did not bat in the ninth inning with one out and the bases loaded. The Angels did not score in the inning.

 

Michael Stefanic batted for him and took a third strike from Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano, a call that was disputed by the Angels.

 

After the game, Los Angeles manager Phil Nevin said that Ohtani was cramping -- the same ailment that prompted Ohtani to be lifted from the second game of a Thursday doubleheader in Detroit.

 

"We'll evaluate it (Saturday) when he gets up," Nevin said. "It's just cramping right now. It's kind of in both legs. He's done a lot of work the last two days and wasn't able to go."

 

Nevin said that Ohtani's leg issues on Friday developed after he grounded out to open the eighth.

 

"He came in and was trying to get some work done and just kept cramping up," Nevin said.

 

Ohtani pitched a one-hit shutout in the opener of the Thursday doubleheader against the Tigers, then hit two home runs in the second game before exiting.

 

The Blue Jays' health issue arose late in the Friday game. After fanning Stefanic, Romano left due to a back ailment. He was replaced by Yimi Garcia, who retired Mickey Moniak for the final out.

 

Romano allowed two singles and a walk to the Angels while throwing only 14 strikes among 25 pitches as he came up shot in a bid to earn his 29th save of the season. He also left his appearance in the All-Star Game because of a back issue.

 

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Romano was removed on Friday as a precaution.

 

"He's doing all right," Schneider said. "Just lower back discomfort, it kind of locked up on him a little bit. Just kind of wanted to play it safe there."

 

The Blue Jays are scheduled to start right-hander Alek Manoah (2-8, 6.10 ERA) on Saturday afternoon. In three career starts against the Angels, he is 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA.

 

The Angels are scheduled to start left-hander Reid Detmers (2-7, 4.38 ERA). In two career games against Toronto, he is 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA. He got a no-decision against the Blue Jays on April 9 after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits in five-plus innings.

 

Los Angeles had its four-game winning streak end on Friday.

 

Right-hander Lucas Giolito took the loss in his first start for the Angels after he was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. He allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings.

 

The Blue Jays made a lineup change for the series opener. Whit Merrifield replaced struggling George Springer in the leadoff spot. Springer was dropped to fifth in the order.

 

Merrifield responded by going 3-for-4 with a home run and a stolen base. He has eight homers for the season, six in his past 17 games.

 

Springer went 0-for-4.

 

Moniak finished 1-for-5 for the Angels on Friday, extending his hitting streak to 18 games, the longest active run in the majors. During the 18 games, he is hitting .368 (28-for-76) with five doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs.

 

Angels shortstop Zach Neto (back) was scratched from the starting lineup Friday and was replaced by Andrew Velazquez.

 

--Field Level Media

 

 

 

Edited July 29, 2023 by JaysAllMighty

[John_Havok]

Wrong day in the title, this is for today, Saturday July 29th. 3:07pm ET game.

 

Can a mod please correct the title, it won't let me.

 

You can you just have to use the edit button, then advanced.

[JaysAllMighty]

You can you just have to use the edit button, then advanced.

 

did that but it won't change it at the very top for the heading on the forums. weird.

[Laika]

I'll fix

[Stangstag]

Wrong day in the title, this is for today, Saturday July 29th. 3:07pm ET game.

 

Can a mod please correct the title, it won't let me.

 

Delete your account and start over

[glory]

Manoah against a heavy LHH lineup probably isn't a good thing, then again Manoah against anyone hasn't been good this season.

[Jonn]

Hopefully good Manoah shows up. Atleast his slider looked much better last time out. I still don't like the fact that he's starting important games.

[JaysAllMighty]

And it isn't getting better for us...

 

[Jonn]

I thought Nate Pearson needed to work on things for awhile lol

[Stangstag]

And it isn't getting better for us...

 

 

Well maybe we can make a move in the next couple days for another back-end guy + get Green back

[Masterbather]

I have faith in Manoah today.

 

Don't let me down Alek!

[Jonn]

We really needed to bring up somebody who could give us some length out of the pen.

[WryNGinger]

Nevin suspended tonight. I don't see details of what exactly he said or did other than "confront" the umpires. Did te throw a tablet at them?

[el duque]

good movement in that fastball

[Masterbather]

Am I the only one that thinks Romano is over rated? Every time he goes out there he has to pitch himself out of a self created jam after walking out to this music and light show like he’s a UFC champ.

Depends on how you think people rate him? He's a very good pitcher, but he's not great or elite.

[Spanky99]

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

[el duque]

Alex is pitching to the 4 corners

[Jonn]

Manoah atleast has seemingly found some of his confidence on the mound back.

[Omar]

Let's Go Jays!!!

[Jonn]

The best thing about today’s lineup. Kiermaier over Varsho. It’s happened a few times the last week or so. Varsho should never be playing over Kiermaier.

[Omar]

The best thing about today’s lineup. Kiermaier over Varsho. It’s happened a few times the last week or so. Varsho should never be playing over Kiermaier.

 

Especially considering KK's splits.

[Jays24]

The best thing about today’s lineup. Kiermaier over Varsho. It’s happened a few times the last week or so. Varsho should never be playing over Kiermaier.

 

The only time Varsho needs to be in the lineup is when KK needs a day off or we need some defense late in the game.

[Stangstag]

Fat + Fat = error

[Jays24]

Wtf is wrong with Vladdy man. Dude had so much time but whipped it like his life was on the line.

[tossingthiscoin]

This is why Vladdy's OAA is so low.

[Jonn]

WTF was that Vlad

[JaysAllMighty]

poor play there Vladdy

[Stangstag]

The best thing about today’s lineup. Kiermaier over Varsho. It’s happened a few times the last week or so. Varsho should never be playing over Kiermaier.

 

Yeah KK doesn’t have any health issues or injury history, dude should be playing every day!

[Jays24]

Fat + Fat = error

 

With Fat backing up the throw lol

[gruber92]

Fat man Vladdy