Blue Jays eagerly await Max Scherzer's return to bolster a thinning starting rotation
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The Max Scherzer watch has officially begun, a consensus first-ballot Hall of Fame pitcher who may tip the scales in Toronto's favour once he's back on the mound and once he is able to showcase his durability.
Big questions loom for such a piece of the pitching puzzle who is scheduled to throw a side session Sunday, a day when the Blue Jays wrap up their three-game series against the visiting Chicago White Sox.
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Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Toronto Blue Jays top Chicago White Sox 7-1 with Bichette's homer, Berrios's solid outing
Bo Bichette's smashed the first pitch he saw for a solo home run and the Toronto Blue Jays never looked back in a 7-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes each had an RBI single in a three-run second inning for Toronto (41-35) after George Springer scored on a throwing error. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tacked on another run in the seventh with a home run to deep left field. Davis Schneider added more insurance with a two-run double in the eighth. Jose Berrios (3-3) was solid, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five. Yariel Rodriguez and Chad Green combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Andrew Benintendi hit into a fielder's choice in the sixth inning, with Miguel Vargas evading catcher Alejandro Kirk's tag to score for Chicago (24-53) after Guerrero threw straight home instead of tagging the hitter. Aaron Civale (1-4) pitched seven innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out two. Jake Palisch allowed two more runs in his one inning of relief. Blue Jays: After seven relievers pitched in Toronto's 7-1 loss on Friday — a scheduled bullpen day — it was critical that Berrios go deep into the game to get the bullpen some rest. He delivered, throwing 95 pitches and earning a standing ovation from the 41,488 fans at Rogers Centre when he left the game in the eighth inning. White Sox: Despite allowing five runs, Civale actually managed to keep the scoring relatively low after coughing up nine hits and issuing a walk. His 96-pitch performance was also a relief to a beleaguered Chicago bullpen that has been tasked with closing, and sometimes starting, many games this season. Springer's baserunning from first to third continues to be a strength this season, with his speed on the basepaths forcing right-fielder Austin Slater's throw to third in the second inning. The ball went into the netting, allowing Springer to score and Ernie Clement to advance to third. Bichette needed 16 games to hit his first home run of the season, finally connecting on May 3. His solo shot in the first inning on Saturday was his 11th of the season, most on the Blue Jays. Chris Bassitt (7-3) gets the start as Toronto finishes its three-game series with Chicago with a Sunday matinee. The White Sox had not yet determined who their starting pitcher would be.
National Post
2 hours ago
- National Post
Bo Bichette's first-pitch lead-off homer powers Blue Jays to win over White Sox
Bo Bichette batting leadoff is turning into a huge success. Article content If he can somehow ease up on his aggressive approach at the plate, which doesn't seem likely, then perhaps this new-found role can be sustained. Article content Article content Regardless, Bichette has been on fire with as he ignited the Blue Jays in Saturday's meeting against the Chicago White Sox under a closed roof at Rogers Centre that did eventually open once the home side opened the floodgates. Article content Article content For the second time in four games, Bichette led off the game with a home run on the first pitch, the third time in five games Bichette has gone deep. Article content Following a two-game losing streak, the Blue Jays returned to their winning ways following their 7-1 victory over the ChiSox, who took the series opener with that exact score. Article content Bichette leads the Jays in homers (11) and RBI (46). Article content The more he keeps hitting, the more unlikely Bichette — a pending free agent — will be moved at next month's trade deadline. Article content Keep in mind Bichette did not record his first homer of the season until May 3 when he went yard in a loss to the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Article content In the second inning of Saturday's game, the Jays produced five hits during a three-run frame. Article content Article content The hitting onslaught began when George Springer led off the inning on a sharp line drive into left field. Article content Following injuries to Daulton Varsho (hamstring) and Anthony Santander (shoulder), the Jays' lineup has undergone change, including the reappearance of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. into the No. 3 hole. Article content Article content Article content The one constant has been Bichette, who has reasserted his elite status. Article content Davis Schneider was inserted and he came through by driving in the Jays' third run of the game, the first of three RBI on the afternoon for the left-fielder. Article content
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Bo Bichette's homer, Jose Berrios's solid outing lead Blue Jays past White Sox 7-1
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos (17) works against the Chicago White Sox during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Saturday June 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — Bo Bichette's smashed the first pitch he saw for a solo home run and the Toronto Blue Jays never looked back in a 7-1 win over the Chicago White Sox on Saturday afternoon. Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes each had an RBI single in a three-run second inning for Toronto (41-35) after George Springer scored on a throwing error. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tacked on another run in the seventh with a home run to deep left field. Davis Schneider added more insurance with a two-run double in the eighth. Jose Berrios (3-3) was solid, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks over 7 2/3 innings, striking out five. Yariel Rodriguez and Chad Green combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Andrew Benintendi hit into a fielder's choice in the sixth inning, with Miguel Vargas evading catcher Alejandro Kirk's tag to score for Chicago (24-53) after Guerrero threw straight home instead of tagging the hitter. Aaron Civale (1-4) pitched seven innings, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out two. Jake Palisch allowed two more runs in his one inning of relief. Takeaways Blue Jays: After seven relievers pitched in Toronto's 7-1 loss on Friday — a scheduled bullpen day — it was critical that Berrios go deep into the game to get the bullpen some rest. He delivered, throwing 95 pitches and earning a standing ovation from the 41,488 fans at Rogers Centre when he left the game in the eighth inning. White Sox: Despite allowing five runs, Civale actually managed to keep the scoring relatively low after coughing up nine hits and issuing a walk. His 96-pitch performance was also a relief to a beleaguered Chicago bullpen that has been tasked with closing, and sometimes starting, many games this season. Key moment Springer's baserunning from first to third continues to be a strength this season, with his speed on the basepaths forcing right-fielder Austin Slater's throw to third in the second inning. The ball went into the netting, allowing Springer to score and Ernie Clement to advance to third. Key stat Bichette needed 16 games to hit his first home run of the season, finally connecting on May 3. His solo shot in the first inning on Saturday was his 11th of the season, most on the Blue Jays. Up next Chris Bassitt (7-3) gets the start as Toronto finishes its three-game series with Chicago with a Sunday matinee. The White Sox had not yet determined who their starting pitcher would be. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
