Series recap: Blue Jays squander chance to increase division lead by only taking two of three from Marlins

It’s late August, and the Toronto Blue Jays are still first in the American League East.

This past weekend, they headed to Florida to take on the Miami Marlins for a three-game series, taking two of three from the National League East team. Heading into Monday’s game, the Jays have a five-game lead over the Boston Red Sox. Let’s take a look at what happened over the weekend!

Friday’s game marked the debut of Shane Bieber, who pitched six innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts in what was a 5-2 Blue Jays’ victory. Daulton Varsho hit his 14th home run of the season and drove in three runs for the victory.

Saturday was a wild one, as the Jays blew a 4-0 lead, giving up the tying run in the bottom of the ninth. They had a lead in the top of the 10th and top of the 11th, but the Marlins came back both times. In the end, they were able to hold onto their 7-6 lead for the victory in 12 innings.

Unfortunately, a sweep was not in line for the Jays, as they fell 5-3 to the Marlins on Sunday. The Marlins went up 4-0, but Varsho’s 15th home run of the season brought the Jays to within one. Shortly after, the Marlins added another run, and despite having the winning run at the plate, the Jays were unable to score a run.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had just one plate appearance in the series, but Bo Bichette carried the Blue Jays’ offence, slashing .583/.643/.750 with two doubles in 14 plate appearances. Daulton Varsho hit two of the three home runs and drove in six, while Springer hit a home run as well. Bichette finished with a 293 wRC+, Varsho with a 190 wRC+, and Springer with a 133 wRC+. The only other player with a wRC+ above 100 was Alejandro Kirk (154 wRC+).

Despite 15 runs, it just wasn’t a great week for the offence as a whole. Ty France had a 38 wRC+ in 12 plate appearances, Addison Barger had a -7 wRC+ in 10 plate appearances, Andrés Giménez had a -23 wRC+ in 12 plate appearances, and Ernie Clement had a -79 wRC+ in 13 plate appearances.

Myles Straw, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Tyler Heineman, and Guerrero Jr. all finished with a sub-100 wRC+, ranging from a 75 wRC+ to a -100 wRC+.

All three of the Blue Jays’ starters pitched at least six innings over the weekend. Bieber dominated, striking out nine and giving up one earned run in six innings of work. José Berríos gave up two earned runs in six and a third, striking out eight. Even Kevin Gausman, who gave up four earned runs, was able to strike out seven in his six innings of work.

Of the eight relievers used in the series, Yariel Rodríguez, Louis Varland, and Jeff Hoffman were the ones to give up at least one earned run. Seranthony Domínguez, Brendon Little, Tommy Nance, Paxton Schultz, and Mason Fluharty all avoided giving up an earned run, although Nance and Fluharty gave up an unearned run in Saturday’s game.

Next up for the Blue Jays is a return to Rogers Centre, as they host the Minnesota Twins for a three-game series beginning on Monday.