Game Preview
The American League Wild Card best-of-three set between the Toronto Blue Jays and the AL Central champions Minnesota Twins begins on Tuesday, October 3rd at Target Field with Game 1. After dropping 2 out of 3 games to the Tampa Bay Rays over this past weekend, the Blue Jays enters the series as the 6th-seed in the American League with a first-round matchup against the Twins. They have the superior regular-season record even though they will travel to Minnesota for the Wild Card round. With a record of 89-73, Toronto beat the Twins by 2 games. Head-to-head matchups in the regular season offer little insight into how teams will perform in the playoffs; this series is no different.
Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are two of the most promising young players in the sport, and the Toronto Blue Jays require both to perform admirably throughout the playoffs. In the regular campaign, Guerrero topped the Toronto Blue Jays in homers and RBIs, whereas Bichette led the team in almost all offensive statistical categories before being hurt and missing virtually the whole second half of the campaign due to injuries, but has recovered properly. Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier are both strong outfielders for Toronto, and Matt Chapman, who plays third base, is the MLB’s defensive run saves leader.
Pablo Lopez, who will start in pitcher this game, allows 8.2 hits per 9 innings and boasts a 3.86 earned run average. In his career, he has dealt with 2,911 opposing hitters and maintains a K/BB ratio of 3.81.
The Twins’ pitching helped them maintain their lead in the AL Central. Minnesota came in 1st place for Quality Starts, 4th for WHIP, 6th for club ERA, and 6th for batting average allowed. The Minnesota Twins concluded their campaign with a collective batting average of 21st, a slugging percentage of 7th, and 10th for runs scored, considering all the injuries they endured. With 24 homers and 66 RBIs, Max Kepler led the squad in both categories.
Considering Kevin Gausman‘s dismal record in eleven career starts versus the Twins, the Blue Jays are happy to send him to the mound on Tuesday. He has a record of 1-4, a 6.35 ERA, and a .286 opponent batting average.
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Toronto Blue Jays vs Minnesota Twins Game Information
- Date: 10/03/2023
- Time: 04:38 PM ET
- Location: Target Field.
- How to Watch Blue Jays vs Twins: MLB.TV
- Live Stream: MLB.TV
