logo
Diamondbacks play the Blue Jays looking to stop road slide

Diamondbacks play the Blue Jays looking to stop road slide

Arizona Diamondbacks (36-37, fourth in the NL West) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (40-33, third in the AL East)
Toronto; Thursday, 3:07 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Ryne Nelson (3-2, 4.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 41 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (5-5, 4.08 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 80 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -138, Diamondbacks +116; over/under is 8 1/2 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks will aim to end their five-game road losing streak in a matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto has a 40-33 record overall and a 24-13 record at home. The Blue Jays have a 17-7 record in games when they did not give up a home run.
Arizona has a 16-19 record on the road and a 36-37 record overall. Diamondbacks hitters have a collective .441 slugging percentage to rank second in the NL.
The teams meet Thursday for the third time this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has 15 doubles and nine home runs for the Blue Jays. Ernie Clement is 16 for 43 with four doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.
Josh Naylor has a .305 batting average to lead the Diamondbacks, and has 17 doubles, a triple and nine home runs. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is 12 for 37 with a home run and four RBIs over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 6-4, .275 batting average, 5.38 ERA, outscored by five runs
Diamondbacks: 5-5, .238 batting average, 5.31 ERA, outscored by nine runs
INJURIES: Blue Jays: Myles Straw: day-to-day (ankle), Jonatan Clase: day-to-day (knee), Bowden Francis: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lukes: 7-Day IL (neck), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Anthony Santander: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Scherzer: 60-Day IL (thumb), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (back), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Diamondbacks: Gabriel Moreno: day-to-day (hand), Justin Martinez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Cristian Mena: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Christian Montes De Oca: 15-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 15-Day IL (hip), Corbin Burnes: 60-Day IL (elbow), A.J. Puk: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jordan Montgomery: 60-Day IL (elbow), Blake Walston: 60-Day IL (elbow)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer in form as Toronto dumps Arizona 8-1
Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer in form as Toronto dumps Arizona 8-1

CTV News

time3 hours ago

  • CTV News

Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer in form as Toronto dumps Arizona 8-1

Blue Jays pitcher Eric Lauer (56) works against the Arizona Diamondbacks during first-inning MLB action in Toronto on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn TORONTO — Pitcher Eric Lauer has done a little bit of everything for the Toronto Blue Jays since his season debut seven weeks ago. The 30-year-old left-hander has worked in short relief, served in a bulk role and is now used as a spot starter. He has been getting results every step of the way. Lauer was in top form Wednesday night, allowing one earned run over five-plus innings in an 8-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rogers Centre. 'He has been really damn good,' said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. Lauer (3-1) had a season-high eight strikeouts and allowed four hits and a walk. Over his last five appearances, he has given up three earned runs over 19 innings and held opponents to a .136 average. He credits fastball command for his solid performance this season. 'Speeding guys up, slowing them down, moving them in and out and up and down — that's pitching to me,' Lauer said. 'To me, I'm a pitcher. I've never been an overpowering guy. I've never been just a stuff guy. I'm not going to out-stuff people. 'But I think I can make my pitches play up better than they actually are based on how I can throw my fastball.' Bo Bichette hit a leadoff homer off Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in three runs for the Blue Jays (40-33), who will go for a three-game sweep Thursday afternoon. Bichette and Addison Barger had three hits apiece while Guerrero reached base five times. He had a single, double and three walks. Toronto has won 11 of its last 12 home games and earned 14 victories over its last 19 games overall. Lauer threw five shutout frames before he was pulled after giving up a leadoff triple to Corbin Carroll in the sixth. With Yariel Rodriguez on in relief, Carroll scored the lone run for Arizona (36-37) on a groundout by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Toronto answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning and broke the game open with a three-run seventh. The Blue Jays improved to 15-8 in interleague play. Lauer has made four starts this season in a rotation anchored by veteran right-handers Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt. Max Scherzer made only one start due to a thumb issue and Bowden Francis was mostly ineffective before landing on the IL this week due to a shoulder impingement. Lauer has filled in admirably when needed and has likely earned himself a temporary spot in the five-man mix. 'Over the course of the year, your depth is going to get tested,' Schneider said. 'So to have a guy like him step up has been awesome.' A first-round pick (No. 25 overall) by San Diego in 2016, Lauer made his big-league debut with the Padres in 2018. He later spent parts of four seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before splitting last year between Triple-A and the Korean league. Lauer signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays last December and his contract was selected from Triple-A Buffalo on April 30. Since then, he has posted an impressive 2.29 earned-run average over 10 appearances with 36 strikeouts against just 11 walks. 'Your best ability is availability,' Lauer said. 'So I just try to go out there and do my job every time I'm called.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025.

New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend
New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend

Toronto Sun

time3 hours ago

  • Toronto Sun

New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend

Rookie outfielder hails from the same area as former Toronto closer Tom 'The Terminator' Henke. Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Will Robertson of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 15. Getty Images The journey to the big leagues was not a simple or particularly swift one for Blue Jays outfielder Will Robertson. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Along the way, there were twists and turns through 491 minor-league games spread over parts of six seasons and five different Toronto farm teams before finally getting called to the Show earlier this month. The trip from his home in tiny Loose Creek, Mo., to a brush with Blue Jays greatness, though? It couldn't have been easier. If roots account for anything, the humble, personable Robertson is both in good shape and good company with the Jays. Less than 10 minutes from Loose Creek, a tiny town of 300 (give or take) where Robertson grew up on a cattle farm, is Taos, an equally small burg better known as the home of Tom Henke, a World Series champ with the Jays and the franchise's all-time saves leader. And yes, the connection wasn't lost on the 27-year-old Robertson nor the 67-year-old Henke. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He's a great guy, whose down to earth, does a ton for the community and loves mid Missouri,' Robertson said of Henke, who has been a quiet but steady influence on his career. 'I always see him around and he's always asked how things are going. 'He's a good role model and good support to have.' Henke was well known to the family in an area Robertson describes as having 'more cattle than people, for sure.' But the connection with the Terminator — as Henke was known by fans through his lethal run as Jays closer from 1985-1992 — became stronger after Toronto selected Robertson in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft. There was advice and support along the way, an organic connection given their shared roots on the baseball diamond and off. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He just talked to me about how cool it was to get to the big leagues this year and to make the journey my own,' Robertson said. 'He said everybody does it on their own time and for told me to make the best of it.' It has just been a week, but Robertson is soaking up all of his fledgling Jays experience since being called up by the team on June 11 to provide some outfield depth. The dream never died for Robertson, a strapping 6-foot-1 215-pounder who hits from the left side, even after such an at-times arduous trek up the farm system ladder. In its own way, the circuitous route has made the arrival that much more sweet. 'It's been fun to reflect a bit and and get a chance to be here with the guys you've been able to come up with and be around them here in the big leagues,' Robertson said during a quiet moment in the Jays dugout this week. 'There was the shock of getting called up and that whole emotion. But then I think you then go to, how do you contribute to the team? How do you help the team win? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a really good team and they've been playing great. So that's where your mindset goes, on how you're going to help them to continue to win.' And continue to smell the roses along the way. With an off-day on Monday and in Toronto for the first time in his life, Robertson, his wife Morgan and their 10-month old daughter Jonnie walked around to get a feel for what the family hopes will be a long-term home. Next was his first start in the city and a front-row seat to the dramatic ninth-inning rally to dump the Diamondbacks 5-4. 'The first time playing in Rogers Centre, it was gorgeous,' Robertson said, some leftover awe still in his voice. 'The roof was open, the CN Tower is right there. It was pretty awesome to see. 'And then the ebbs and flows of the game and then the ninth inning to see (Bo Bichette and Addison Barger hit home runs to finish a Jays comeback) that was pretty special. To get to be part of that celebration was awesome. Being here in the Rogers Centre with 38,000 cheering for us was incredible. Like nothing I've ever experienced before.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He experienced it all, too, putting the home run jacket on Bichette after his blast and one of the first to greet Barger, his long-time teammate in the minors, when he hit the plate for the walk-off run. Robertson isn't here as tourist, however. So next up is to find a way to make that hard-earned promotion to the big leagues stick. 'For me, it's about taking advantage of the opportunity, whether that's starting in a game or coming off the bench to pinch hit,' Robertson said. 'What got me here was my bat and playing good defence when I'm out there and that's what I intend to do. Read More 'Everyone has been super welcoming and super helpful. Guys that I knew from playing with (in the minors) and the coaching staff. They've all made it super easy.' Now that he's here, Robertson intends to stay. The pride of Loose Creek has a long way to get to the 446 Jays appearances made by the pride of Taos, but it's nice to get the opportunity. Finally. 'The odds of two guys coming from a small mid Missouri town to play major league baseball first of all but then to play for Canada and Toronto its pretty cool,' Robertson said. The Terminator would agree. NHL Editorial Cartoons Soccer NFL Columnists

New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend
New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend

National Post

time3 hours ago

  • National Post

New guy Will Robertson comes to Toronto from the land of a Blue Jays legend

The journey to the big leagues was not a simple or particularly swift one for Blue Jays outfielder Will Robertson. Article content Along the way, there were twists and turns through 491 minor-league games spread over parts of six seasons and five different Toronto farm teams before finally getting called to the Show earlier this month. Article content Article content The trip from his home in tiny Loose Creek, Mo., to a brush with Blue Jays greatness, though? It couldn't have been easier. Article content If roots account for anything, the humble, personable Robertson is both in good shape and good company with the Jays. Article content Less than 10 minutes from Loose Creek, a tiny town of 300 (give or take) where Robertson grew up on a cattle farm, is Taos, an equally small burg better known as the home of Tom Henke, a World Series champ with the Jays and the franchise's all-time saves leader. Article content And yes, the connection wasn't lost on the 27-year-old Robertson nor the 67-year-old Henke. Article content Article content 'He's a great guy, whose down to earth, does a ton for the community and loves mid Missouri,' Robertson said of Henke, who has been a quiet but steady influence on his career. 'I always see him around and he's always asked how things are going. Article content 'He's a good role model and good support to have.' Article content Henke was well known to the family in an area Robertson describes as having 'more cattle than people, for sure.' Article content But the connection with the Terminator — as Henke was known by fans through his lethal run as Jays closer from 1985-1992 — became stronger after Toronto selected Robertson in the eighth round of the 2019 MLB draft. Article content Article content There was advice and support along the way, an organic connection given their shared roots on the baseball diamond and off. Article content Article content 'He just talked to me about how cool it was to get to the big leagues this year and to make the journey my own,' Robertson said. 'He said everybody does it on their own time and for told me to make the best of it.' Article content It has just been a week, but Robertson is soaking up all of his fledgling Jays experience since being called up by the team on June 11 to provide some outfield depth. The dream never died for Robertson, a strapping 6-foot-1 215-pounder who hits from the left side, even after such an at-times arduous trek up the farm system ladder. Article content 'It's been fun to reflect a bit and and get a chance to be here with the guys you've been able to come up with and be around them here in the big leagues,' Robertson said during a quiet moment in the Jays dugout this week. 'There was the shock of getting called up and that whole emotion. But then I think you then go to, how do you contribute to the team? How do you help the team win?

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store