The Toronto Blue Jays are set to take on the Baltimore Orioles in the opener of a three-game series, and all eyes will be on first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he looks to extend his impressive 17-game hitting streak.
Guerrero has been on fire at the plate, batting an impressive .500 during his streak with nine home runs, 10 doubles, and 18 RBIs. Despite his stellar performance, the Blue Jays have struggled, posting an 8-9 record during Guerrero’s streak.
Manager John Schneider praised Guerrero’s growth as a player, noting that he has reached a point where he truly understands his capabilities on the field. Guerrero himself credits his success to confidence, stating that as long as he believes in his talent and maintains his confidence, he knows he will be successful.
The Orioles, on the other hand, have been holding their own, winning three of four against the Blue Jays last week and splitting a series with the Cleveland Guardians. They are currently tied for the American League East lead with the New York Yankees.
Baltimore will be sending right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the mound, while Toronto will counter with right-hander Chris Bassitt. Rodriguez has had success against the Blue Jays this season, with two wins in five career starts, while Bassitt is looking to bounce back from a rough outing against the Orioles last week.
In addition to Guerrero, the Orioles will be keeping an eye on Jackson Holliday, who has been on a hot streak since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Holliday hit a grand slam against the Blue Jays last week and has been swinging the bat well, showcasing a newfound confidence at the plate.
Both teams will be looking to secure a win in this series to improve their standing in the competitive AL East division. With Guerrero leading the charge for the Blue Jays and Holliday providing a spark for the Orioles, fans can expect an exciting matchup between these two talented teams.
