Blue Jays tie club record by winning their 10th home game in a row as Yankees come to town
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The stage is now set for a three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees that begins Monday night in what promises to be yet another epic matchup with the Bronx Bombers.
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On a sun-baked Sunday, the Jays led the San Francisco Giants 7-2, but would hold on for an 8-6 win.
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The following are three takeaways on a day the Blue Jays earned their third successive series sweep at home, a day when the AL East leaders hit three home runs to run their overall record to 58-41.
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1. Berrios exposed
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Once they returned from the all-star break, the Jays quickly turned the page from a tough stretch that saw them lose three of four entering the summer slumber.
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A big reason can be traced to the starting pitching.
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Chris Bassitt set the tone in Friday night's series opener.
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On Saturday, Eric Lauer pitched even better than Bassitt.
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Jose Berrios had a tough act to follow, in other words, when he started the series finale.
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A couple of double plays in the first three innings certainly helped, but Berrios did face a threat in the fifth inning when he had runners at first and second with none out after he gave up a walk, the first time this series a Toronto pitcher had issued a free pass.
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On the 19th pitch of the inning, Berrios recorded the first out on an infield fly rule, no less.
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Berrios, simply put, was losing his effectiveness as the Giants forced the right-hander to elevate his pitch count.
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A big strikeout would end the inning, thus avoiding Rafael Devers, if the Jays even wanted such a matchup, which didn't seem likely.
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When Berrios began the sixth, he had a 7-2 lead and promptly gave up a single to Devers.
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After Berrios gave up a two-out, two-run bomb to Matt Chapman, a pitching change was made.
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Berrios wasn't as good as Bassitt or Lauer and he needs to be better.
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He was fortunate to be supported by an offence that would record a four-run inning for the third game in a row.
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2. Ray day
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He won a Cy Young Award with the Blue Jays in 2021 and endeared himself to many with his competitive edge and loud grunts, while turning heads with his tight pants.
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When last seen on the mound in Toronto, the left-hander pitched for the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 of the 2022 wild card.
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