Whit Merrifield will be looking to extend his 20-game on-base streak as the Toronto Blue Jays (18-9) host the Seattle Mariners (11-16) at Rogers Centre on Sunday with the home team looking for a sweep of the three-game series.
The Blue Jays lead the series 2-0 after winning 1-0 in 10 innings on Saturday, their sixth straight victory overall. Reliever Erik Swanson was credited with the win after throwing one scoreless inning. Daulton Varsho went 1 for 4 with one RBI in the win. Tom Murphy was 2 for 4 for the Mariners.
ON THE MOUND
Marco Gonzales (2-0, 3.32 ERA) is set for the start for Seattle. The southpaw allowed one run over five innings in his last start, a 5-3 home win over the Phillies on Tuesday.
He got the win, giving up four hits while striking out two and walking one.Gonzales is making his first appearance against the Blue Jays this season.
Over two starts against the Blue Jays in 2022, Gonzales was 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA over 12.2 innings. He had two strikeouts and three walks.
Right-hander Chris Bassitt (3-2, 4.82 ERA) gets the start for Toronto. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mariners. Bassitt made one start against the Mariners in 2022, throwing 5.2 innings for the Mets in a 5-4 home win on May 14.
He gave up five hits and walked three, while striking out eight in the no-decision. In his last start on Monday, Bassitt got the win at home against the White Sox.
He threw 6.1 innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out four and walking three in the 5-2 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.1, while slashing worse across the board (.190/.241/.331). Against righties like Bassitt this season, the M’s have a .694 OPS.
Jarred Kelenic is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .991 OPS in 62 at-bats. Toronto is averaging 4.8 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 4.6 for the season. The Jays have a .718 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a 1.382 OPS over 26 at-bats, Matt Chapman has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Seattle is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 4-7 in 2023. The M’s have scored 3.8 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.1 runs.
Toronto has won five in a row at their home park. The Jays are 9-2 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 2.4. The teams have split their last 10 meetings at Rogers Centre, though Seattle has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.7-3.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mariners are fourth in the AL West, four games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Blue Jays are third in the AL East, four games behind the Rays.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Toronto Blue Jays (-200)
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