2021 Blue Jays: Yankees Series Recap, Heading to Kansas City

2021 Blue Jays: Yankees Series Recap, Game One

The 2021 Blue Jays entered game one of the three-game series and it was not how the Blue Jays wanted to start their second homestand of the 2021 MLB season. Toronto could not get the bats going in game one, eventually losing 3-1 at TD Bank Park. The Toronto Blue Jays finally received good news heading into the game as right-handed pitcher Robbie Ray returned for the injured list, and would make his 2021 season debut.

Robbie Ray had a terrific outing in his first game since spring training, he pitched five innings allowing only three hits, including four scoreless innings. Unfortunately, in the fifth inning, Robbie Ray gives up a two-run home run giving the New York Yankees a 2-1 lead. The Yankees would add another run in the 8th inning and the Blue Jays unable to muster up any offense after Randal Grichuk cashed Bo Bichette to give them their only run in the first inning against Yankees starter Gerrit Cole.

Game 2: Yankees vs Blue Jays

The second game of the series was a dominating bounce-back performance by the 2021 Blue Jays offensively, just like the blow out win in game three of Toronto"s previous series against the Los Angeles Angels, The Blue Jays scored 15 runs following a long rain delay, eventually winning 15-1. Toronto Blue Jays ace Hyun-Jin Ryu was on the mound in game two and still looking for his first win in 2021, facing the New York Yankees for the second time this season.

Hyun Jin- Ryu displayed his impressive control and pitch selection against New York in game two, pitching six and 2/3 innings giving up one run, and racking up seven strikeouts.

The Blue Jays would provide run support in this game as first baseman Rowdy Tellez got his first home run of the season, Marcus Semien would hit the first home run in the game for the Blue Jays, this would count for Marcus Semien"s fourth home run of the 2021 MLB season. Toronto scored seven runs on 10 hits against the New York Yankees while holding the Yankees to only three runs on eight hits, earning the Blue Jays a 7-3 victory and evening the series heading into the final game on Wednesday, April 14th.

Game 3: Yankees vs Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the final game of the three games series with more injury news as expected starting pitcher Ross Stripling was scratched due to forearm tightness in his right arm, and relief pitcher Julian Merryweather was placed on the 10-day injured list as well with a Left-Oblique Strain. The Blue Jays selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Anthony Castro in reaction to the latest injury.

Ross Stripling was replaced by T.J Zeuch who started his second game of the 2021 season with an 0-1 record. T.J Zeuch looked to provide solid pitching versus the Yankees in the series finale in an attempt to help the Blue Jays reach .500 as they entered the game 5-6 on the season.

The game got off to a rough start for T.J Zeuch as he gives up a solo home run to Aaron Judge in the first inning, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk would change that with his first hit of the 2021 MLB season after going 0-13 to start, his first hit was a two-run home run, and would give Toronto the one-run lead. Both teams would trade home runs and the lead right up until the 7th inning, the game would remain tied 4-4 heading into the ninth inning.

Bo Bichette who has been red hot hitting in 11 consecutive games, walks it off with his second home run of the ball game giving the Blue Jays a 5-4 victory and the series win against the Yankees.

Heading to Kansas City

The Toronto Blue Jays continue to push through a long tough stretch to begin their 2021 MLB season and currently hold a 6-6 record, they"ll be tested against the Kansas City Royals. The original schedule had the Blue Jays playing 16 games in 16 days however, the series finale against the Angels was postponed giving the Blue Jays a day off. Toronto will need to continue hitting well against the Royals, and scoring runs as their pitching rotation depth is tested due to injuries, right-handed pitcher Ross Stripling and Julian Merryweather were sidelined with injuries during the series versus the New York Yankees.

Starting Pitchers versus the Royals

The next-man-up is the motto for the 2021 Blue Jays and with the shuffling of players, Toronto has announced the expected starters for three of the games versus Kansas City. The Kansas City Royals will start right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis who has nine strikeouts on the season, with a 0-0 record, and a 0.00 ERA. Toronto has not announced their starter in game one, for game two it will be left-handed pitcher Steven Matz on the mound. Steven Matz has a 2-0 record, 13 strikeouts, and an impressive 1.46 ERA. The Kansas City Royals starter is still to be determined.

For game three, the 2021 Blue Jays will send another left-hander to the mound as Robbie Ray will get his second start of the 2021 MLB season, after a strong first game Robbie Ray looks to build off that and improve his current 3.60 ERA. Game four the Toronto Blue Jays will have Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound, Hyun-Jin Ryu enters the series finale versus the Kansas City Royals. He will enter with a 1-1 record after his win versus the Yankees, Ryu has a 1.89 ERA, and 19 strikeouts through his first two starts.

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