2021 Blue Jays: A Battle in Texas, Series Preview

Game 1 Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays will start the series with left-handed pitcher Steven Matz on Monday in Texas, this will be the official regular-season debut for Matz since signing with the Blue Jays in the offseason. The first pitch in the series opener is scheduled for 4:05 PM Eastern Time on Monday afternoon.

Steven Matz had a terrific spring training and will look to build off that as he makes his debut for the Blue Jays. The Texas Rangers will counter with right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz for the series opener. Both pitchers making their first starts of the 2021 season.

Game 2 Preview

The Toronto Blue Jays will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night, April 6th, the first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM Eastern Time. Taking the mound in game 2 for the Blue Jays is right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark. The right-hander returns for his second season with the Blue Jays and looks to improve on his 2020 ERA, the highest ERA recorded in his career.

The Texas Rangers will start right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning, he is ranked as the third-best prospect in the Rangers organization. Dunning pitched 34 innings in 2020 for the White Sox and had a 3.97 ERA. He was impressive during spring training this year and looks to build off that against the Blue Jays.

Game 3 Preview

The final game of the Blue Jays second series of 2021 will be on Wednesday, April 7th, the first pitch in the series finale is scheduled for 2:45 PM Eastern Time. The series finale will be Toronto"s fifth game in five days as they charge through a tough 16 games in 16 days, the final road game before they return to Dunedin, Florida for their home opener at TD Bank Park.

Toronto will have Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound as he makes his second start of the 2021 season, he had a no-decision in the season opener versus the New York Yankees. Hyun-Jin Ryu had a good start to his 2021 season pitching 5.1 innings versus the Yankees, he had five strikeouts and allowed two runs in that game.

The Texas Rangers will have right-handed pitcher Kyle Gibson on the mound in the series finale, the Rangers right-hander is looking for a better result in his second start of the 2021 MLB season.

2021 Blue Jays: Off to a strong start

The 2021 Blue Jays have definitely started the season off on the right foot, taking down division rivals the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Toronto showcased how deep the roster is with home runs and hard-hit balls, the pitching held up their end when they were called upon.

Julian Merryweather appears to have taken over the closing role as he had two save attempts and secured the victory both times, striking out five of the six batters he faced over the two games. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo earned his 101st victory as a manager and looks to continue to add to that number in Texas.

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