Toronto’s José Berríos seeks to rebound from recent struggles as the Blue Jays host Houston in the second game of their crucial three-game series at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.
Following Tuesday’s thrilling comeback victory that saw Toronto rally for a walk-off triumph over the Astros, the Blue Jays aim to build on their momentum in this pivotal American League matchup.
Berríos Faces Critical Test After Recent Struggles
The veteran right-hander enters Wednesday’s start needing to rediscover his form after enduring a challenging stretch. His most recent appearance against Cincinnati on September 2nd was particularly troublesome, as he surrendered six earned runs while allowing seven batters to reach base in just two innings of work.
Since the midsummer classic, Berríos has posted a concerning 4.81 ERA, marking the worst performance among Toronto’s starting rotation during that span. The 31-year-old Puerto Rican pitcher will benefit from additional rest, taking the ball with three extra days off after a schedule adjustment that saw Shane Bieber move ahead in the rotation.
This extended rest period addresses concerns about declining fastball velocity that prompted the Blue Jays to limit Berríos to just two starts over the past 18 days.
Playoff Implications Loom Large
A quality performance from Berríos could prove crucial for Toronto’s postseason positioning. The Blue Jays currently hold a commanding 5.5-game advantage over Houston in the battle for a top-two AL seed and the accompanying division series bye.
The stakes remain high across multiple fronts, with Toronto clinging to a slim half-game edge over Detroit for the American League’s best record while maintaining a three-game cushion over both New York and Boston in the AL East division race.
Alexander Takes the Hill for Houston
The Astros will counter with Jason Alexander, whose journey to this moment exemplifies baseball’s unpredictable nature. The soft-tossing right-hander has exceeded expectations since Houston claimed him off waivers from Oakland in May, compiling an impressive 3.19 ERA across 10 appearances, including nine starts.
This remarkable stretch represents a career renaissance for the 32-year-old Alexander, whose previous major league experience yielded mixed results. Over 32 career outings spanning stints with Milwaukee, Oakland, and Houston, he carries a 5.07 lifetime ERA and hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2022 before this season’s surprising resurgence.
Game One Recap Sets Stage
Tuesday’s opener provided drama after Astros starter Luis Garcia departed early with elbow discomfort in just his second appearance following Tommy John surgery recovery. The Blue Jays offense initially struggled against replacement pitcher AJ Blubaugh before exploding late.
George Springer provided the spark with a towering 450-foot home run in the sixth inning, registering 114 mph exit velocity for his longest blast of the season. Late-game heroics from waiver pickup Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who delivered a clutch two-run single in the ninth, and Tyler Heineman’s RBI fielder’s choice completed the dramatic extra-inning comeback.
Injury Update Clouds Blue Jays Outlook
Toronto will continue without star shortstop Bo Bichette, who joined the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left knee sprain. The organization has provided no definitive timeline for his return, with Bichette expected to rest through the week before testing his knee’s readiness.
With his IL stint backdated to September 7th, Bichette’s earliest possible return date falls on September 17th when Toronto hosts Tampa Bay.
Coverage of Wednesday’s matchup begins at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet with Blue Jays Central.