After a tough loss in Anaheim on Thursday, the Toronto Blue Jays will enter a weekend series with the Cleveland Guardians at a disappointing 10-14 overall.
The Jays are in fourth place in the American League East and are already five games out of first. It's fair to assume that injuries are the biggest culprit for their struggles, but no matter what, it's been a disappointing start for the defending American League champions.
However, as health improves, ESPN's Buster Olney expects things to get better for John Schneider's team.
He made the following comments to our sister Seattle Mariners 'Refuse to Lose' podcast when talking about underachieving teams thus far.
"...And the bottom line is when you've got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the middle of your lineup, and yes, at some point, they're going to start getting help back in the rotation. I mean, to lose four starters, that's a huge deal. And at some point soon, Alejandro Kirk, they're All-Star catcher, will be back. George Springer, their designated hitter, who was so great last year, he'll be back. So help is on the way. And it's clear they are grinding through, in an effective way, I think, in this really tough part of their season."
To Olney's point: The Blue Jays have gotten a combined zero innings from Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios and Shane Bieber this season. Cody Ponce was lost for the year in his first start because of a torn ACL.
The good news? Yesavage just made another rehab start on Tuesday and is expected back for his next outing. Berrios just made a second rehab start on Wednesday, throwing four solid innings.
Springer and Addison Barger could be back in short order to help the offense as well.
The Jays will start a new series on Friday night with the Cleveland Guardians, who boast a very solid pitching staff. Right-hander Gavin Williams pitch in game one of the series while Max Scherzer goes for the Jays.
Williams is 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA, striking out 40, while Scherzer is 1-2 with a 7.16.
Scherzer enters the game with 3,499 career strikeouts, meaning he is just one away from becoming the 11th member of the 3,500 strikeout club.
The other 10? Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Justin Verlander, Gaylor Perry and Walker Johnson.
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