What is Bowden Francis' future with the Toronto Blue Jays?
WATCH BELOW: On the latest episode of Long Ball, Postmedia's Rob Wong chats with Toronto Sun Blue Jays writer Rob Longley about Bowden Francis' struggles this season, what other options the Blue Jays have for the starting rotation and Addison Barger's recent hot streak at the plate.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Blue Jays aim to keep win streak going against the Twins
Toronto Blue Jays (34-29, third in the AL East) vs. Minnesota Twins (34-29, second in the AL Central) Minneapolis; Saturday, 2:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (5-4, 3.82 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 68 strikeouts); Twins: Chris Paddack (2-5, 3.58 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 50 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Twins -130, Blue Jays +109; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Blue Jays will try to extend a three-game win streak with a victory over the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota is 34-29 overall and 18-9 in home games. Twins pitchers have a collective 3.51 ERA, which ranks fifth in the AL. Toronto has a 34-29 record overall and a 12-16 record in road games. The Blue Jays have a 15-7 record in games when they did not give up a home run. Saturday's game is the second time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Ty France has 10 doubles, four home runs and 33 RBIs for the Twins. Willi Castro is 11 for 36 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has 11 doubles and eight home runs while hitting .274 for the Blue Jays. Addison Barger is 11 for 33 with a double and five home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Twins: 5-5, .253 batting average, 4.74 ERA, outscored opponents by six runs Blue Jays: 8-2, .289 batting average, 3.24 ERA, outscored opponents by 27 runs INJURIES: Twins: Pablo Lopez: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Carlos Correa: day-to-day (back), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm), Danny Coulombe: 15-Day IL (forearm), Michael Tonkin: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Blue Jays: 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) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Province
7 hours ago
- The Province
Panthers a long way from dead after dumping Edmonton Oilers in Game 2
Corey Perry (90) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates his third period goal against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Corey Perry (90)of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates his third period goal against the Florida Panthers in game two of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Jake Walman (96), Evan Bouchard (2) and Corey Perry (90) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrate a late goal from Perry that sent the game to overtime against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) takes a face-off against the Florida Panthers' Evan Rodrigues (17) during second period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) looks to make a pass in front of Florida Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during second period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Goalie Stuart Skinner (74) of the Edmonton Oilers, makes a save with his toe against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Fans of the Edmonton Oilers, drown a plastic rat in a cup of beer at Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Evan Bouchard (2) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates a first period goal against the Florida Panthers in game two of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a pad save while being screened by the Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers celebrate their second goal against the Florida Panthers during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday ,June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard (2) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Leon Draisaitl (29) of the Edmonton Oilers scores on goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) of the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia From left, Phil X, Rik Emmett, and Todd Kerns. Pregame rock legends Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia From left, Phil X, Rik Emmett, and Todd Kerns. Pregame rock legends Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Fans take in rock legends Triumph, who played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Rik Emmett of Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Edmonton Oilers fans wait to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan is interviewed by a puppet (from as fans wait to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Final watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan shows his team spirit as he waits to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan dressed as Big Bird waits to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard came ready and prepared to cheer on his hometown Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton, June 6, 2025. Photo by Steven Sandor / Postmedia A pedestrian walks past a sign cheering on the Edmonton Oilers outside Knox Evangelical Church, 8403 104 St., in Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia A pedestrian walks past a sign cheering on the Edmonton Oilers outside Knox Evangelical Church, 8403 104 St., in Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Full Screen is not supported on this browser version. You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen. They don't give Stanley Cup rings to teams that can't handle the stress and adversity it takes to win them. 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. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 So, it goes without saying that the Florida Panthers didn't make it to three-straight Finals because they wilt in the face of uncomfortable pressure. But the Panthers said it anyway. With the Edmonton Oilers poised to take a 2-0 stranglehold on the Stanley Cup Final and move two wins away from the first title of the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl era, the Panthers rolled into Rogers Place and flexed some of that championship muscle. They overcame 2-1 and 3-2 deficits Friday, shrugged off Corey Perry's tying goal with 17.8 seconds left in regulation and won it 5-4 in double overtime, evening the series and stealing away the home ice advantage that some feel could be the difference in this thing. 'Tough one to swallow, but this is the Stanley Cup Final, it's not supposed to be easy,' said Perry, who plans on putting the dejection to bed as soon as his head hits the pillow. 'You can think about it, dwell on it, but what's it going to do? It's not going to do anything for you now. Get some rest, get on the plane and get ready for Game 3. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. 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. 'It's frustrating, but we're in the Final for a reason.' That's the only way they can look at it, but the Oilers know they let one slip away. Teams that open the final at home and jump out to a 2-0 series lead are 40-3 all time. Those odds fall dramatically when the road team gets the split. 'There's going to be some disappointment,' said Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch. 'but we've had the mentality that whatever happens — bad game, close game, overtime, heartbreaking, easy, whatever it is — we put it behind us and get ready for the next one. 'In the playoffs things don't always go your way. But we've done a pretty good job of responding and putting whatever happens behind us and focusing on the next game.' Florida also knew the math and they answered with a vengeance. Instead of being dead, they're dead even after Brad Marchand's breakaway winner 8:05 into the second extra period. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a good one to win, I like the way we played tonight,' grinned Marchand, who had his fingerprints all over this game with two goals and all of his usual extra-curricular antics. 'It was pure excitement, adrenaline for the whole group. It was a very important game for our team.' While the Oilers have shown all playoffs that they are stronger, deeper and more determined than the team that came up short in seven games last year, it's pretty clear that the Panthers juggernaut is also on another level. And now everything we thought about this epic final is playing out the way we thought it would. Two games in it's taken almost nine periods to determine the winners. This is going to be a long, drawn-out battle, as much a war of wills as a clash of systems and talent. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Every game is tight at this time of the year,' sighed Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. 'It's two really good teams. It's never going to be easy. We need to regroup and be ready for Game 3. 'At this time of year, you've got to move on. There's no time to think about it for too long. Obviously it stings right now, but we've got to move on.' This is just the sixth time in NHL history that the first two games of the finals went to overtime, and it was a wild one right from the start. The first period featured five goals, 11 minor penalties and saw the Oilers and Panthers go at each other like hungry dogs. Sam Bennett made it 1-0 Panthers on a power play goal at 2:07. Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard scored at 7:39 and 9:19 to give Edmonton the lead. Seth Jones tied it again at 11:37, and then things reached a boiling point when Bennett took another run at Stuart Skinner, hurting but not injuring the Oilers goalie at 12:13. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Edmonton made him pay, scoring in the ensuing power play to take a 3-2 lead into a much-needed first intermission that gave everyone watching a chance to catch their breath. It was the Oilers themselves who needed to take a deep breath during the second intermission because two Florida goals, one of them a shorthanded breakaway by Marchand, put them down 4-3. The Oilers, who spent most of the period hemmed in their own end trying to avert disaster, were lucky to get out of it with just two goals against. For the second time in two games, Edmonton entered the third period trailing by a goal. Just like Game 1, they found the equalizer, but not the OT winner. 'Each game could have gone either way,' said Knoblauch. 'When you win the first one you're disappointed that you don't follow up and win the second one, but we're going there with a split and that's fine with us. We're comfortable playing on the road.' Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks News Vancouver Canucks Business
Toronto Sun
8 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Panthers a long way from dead after dumping Edmonton Oilers in Game 2
Corey Perry (90) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates his third period goal against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Corey Perry (90)of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates his third period goal against the Florida Panthers in game two of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Jake Walman (96), Evan Bouchard (2) and Corey Perry (90) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrate a late goal from Perry that sent the game to overtime against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) takes a face-off against the Florida Panthers' Evan Rodrigues (17) during second period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) looks to make a pass in front of Florida Panthers' goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during second period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Goalie Stuart Skinner (74) of the Edmonton Oilers, makes a save with his toe against the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Fans of the Edmonton Oilers, drown a plastic rat in a cup of beer at Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Evan Bouchard (2) of the Edmonton Oilers, celebrates a first period goal against the Florida Panthers in game two of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a pad save while being screened by the Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk (19) during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers celebrate their second goal against the Florida Panthers during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday ,June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia The Edmonton Oilers' Evan Bouchard (2) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers during first period Stanley Cup Finals action at Rogers Place, in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Leon Draisaitl (29) of the Edmonton Oilers scores on goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) of the Florida Panthers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia From left, Phil X, Rik Emmett, and Todd Kerns. Pregame rock legends Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia From left, Phil X, Rik Emmett, and Todd Kerns. Pregame rock legends Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Fans take in rock legends Triumph, who played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Rik Emmett of Triumph played a three song set at the Fan Park outside Rogers Place before game two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Friday, June 6, 2025. Photo by Shaughn Butts / Postmedia Edmonton Oilers fans wait to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan is interviewed by a puppet (from as fans wait to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Final watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan shows his team spirit as he waits to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia An Edmonton Oilers fan dressed as Big Bird waits to get into an outdoor Stanley Cup Finals watch party, in downtown Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard came ready and prepared to cheer on his hometown Oilers at Rogers Place in Edmonton, June 6, 2025. Photo by Steven Sandor / Postmedia A pedestrian walks past a sign cheering on the Edmonton Oilers outside Knox Evangelical Church, 8403 104 St., in Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia A pedestrian walks past a sign cheering on the Edmonton Oilers outside Knox Evangelical Church, 8403 104 St., in Edmonton Friday June 6, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia Full Screen is not supported on this browser version. You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen. They don't give Stanley Cup rings to teams that can't handle the stress and adversity it takes to win them. 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 So, it goes without saying that the Florida Panthers didn't make it to three-straight Finals because they wilt in the face of uncomfortable pressure. But the Panthers said it anyway. With the Edmonton Oilers poised to take a 2-0 stranglehold on the Stanley Cup Final and move two wins away from the first title of the Connor McDavid-Leon Draisaitl era, the Panthers rolled into Rogers Place and flexed some of that championship muscle. They overcame 2-1 and 3-2 deficits Friday, shrugged off Corey Perry's tying goal with 17.8 seconds left in regulation and won it 5-4 in double overtime, evening the series and stealing away the home ice advantage that some feel could be the difference in this thing. Florida knew the math — teams that open the final at home and jump out to a 2-0 series lead are 40-3 all time — and they answered with a vengeance. Instead of being dead, they're dead even after Brad Marchand's breakaway winner 8:05 into the second extra period. 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. While the Oilers have shown all playoffs that they are stronger, deeper and more determined than the team that came up short in seven games last year, it's pretty clear that the Panthers juggernaut is also on another level. And now everything we thought about this epic final is playing out the way we thought it would. This is going to be a long, drawn-out battle, as much a war of wills as a clash of systems and talent. This is just the sixth time in NHL history that the first two games of the finals went to overtime, and it was a wild one right from the start. The first period featured five goals, 11 minor penalties and saw the Oilers and Panthers go at each other like hungry dogs. Sam Bennett made it 1-0 Panthers on a power play goal at 2:07. Evander Kane and Evan Bouchard scored at 7:39 and 9:19 to give Edmonton the lead. Seth Jones tied it again at 11:37, and then things reached a boiling point when Bennett took another run at Stuart Skinner, hurting but not injuring the Oilers goalie at 12:13. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Edmonton made him pay, scoring in the ensuing power play to take a 3-2 lead into a much-needed first intermission that gave everyone watching a chance to catch their breath. It was the Oilers themselves who needed to take a deep breath during the second intermission because two Florida goals, one of them a shorthanded breakaway by Brad Marchand, put them down 4-3. The Oilers, who spent most of the period hemmed in their own end trying to avert disaster, were lucky to get out of it with just two goals against. For the second time in two games, Edmonton entered the third period trailing by a goal. Just like Game 1, they found the equalizer, but not the OT winner. Read More Olympics NHL Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Columnists
