I would walk for $500 million.
The Red Sox are staying on the road, this time north of the border to the happiest place on earth: Toronto, Ontario home of the Blue Jays.
Toronto has had a number of close calls on free agents over the last few years but with money to spend and a guy who wants to take it, they decided to make Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a Jay for life.
As they try to keep the Sons of Major Leaguers roster playoff window open, Max Scherzer was added to the pitching staff. He’s on the IL. Alek Manoah Is also on the IL. Which leaves the Jays with three top pitchers: Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and José Berríos. Luckily for Boston two of those guys had to pitch this weekend so perhaps only Berríos will face the Sox.
The big news for Boston is the highly anticipated debut of Lucas Giolito. Signed before the 2024 season, he’s yet to throw a pitch for the Red Sox. Reunited with White Sox teammate Garrett Crochet, Giolito will follow the ace by taking the middle game of the series. In 2023, the last time Giolito pitched in the majors he had a good year with Chicago (3.79 ERA / 4.43 FIP over 121 innings with 131 strikeouts). He was then flipped to the Los Angels Angels during their crazy trade deadline as they tried frantically to get Shohei Ohtani to the postseason. That was 30 innings of 6.89/6.81 ERA/FIP. That wouldn’t be the end though. Once the dream ended in Anaheim the Angels dumped salary by placing players onto waivers. Giolito was snapped up by the Cleveland Guardians. That was 30 innings of 7.04/6.94 ERA/FIP.
Bowden Francis had a tremendous run in August and September of ‘24 and is off to a solid start again this year.
Bo Bichette is still homerless.
George Springer is hitting .325 on the season.
Andrés Giménez leads the Jays in homers (3) and steals (8) but is slashing just .176/.274/.304
Probable Pitching Matchups
Tuesday April 29: Garrett Crochet (1.95 ERA / 2.24 FIP) vs. Easton Lucas (7,41 ERA / 6.23 FIP)
Wednesday April 30: Lucas Giolito (— ERA / — FIP) vs. Bowden Francis (3.58 ERA / 5.47 FIP)
Thursday May 1: Tanner Houck (7.58 ERA / 6.19 FIP) vs. José Berríos (4.24 ERA / 5.02 FIP)
When/Where to Watch
Tuesday April 29: 7:07 PM ET on NESN and MLBN
Wednesday April 30: 7:07 PM ET on NESN
Thursday May 1: 7:07 PM ET on NESN