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The Toronto Blue Jays and the St. Louis Cardinals are set to face off in a three-game series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Both teams have had a slow start to the 2023 season, with records of 4-5 and 3-6, respectively. This series will be an opportunity for both teams to turn their fortunes around and gain some momentum going forward.
The Toronto Blue Jays have struggled offensively to start the season, scoring only 35 runs through their first nine games. Key players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette have yet to find their rhythm at the plate, but there have been some bright spots, including the play of Marcus Semien.
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On the pitching side, the Blue Jays have been led by Robbie Ray, who has a 1.38 ERA through his first two starts, and Hyun-Jin Ryu, who has a 2.57 ERA through his first two starts. The bullpen has been a mixed bag, with some solid performances from Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis but also some struggles from other relievers.
The St. Louis Cardinals, on the other hand, have had some success offensively, scoring 42 runs through their first nine games. Key players like Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado have been providing some power at the plate, but the rest of the lineup has been inconsistent.
On the pitching side, the Cardinals have been led by Jack Flaherty, who has a 1.80 ERA through his first two starts, and Kwang Hyun Kim, who has a 3.27 ERA through his first two starts. The bullpen has been a strength for the Cardinals, with closer Alex Reyes looking dominant in his first few appearances.
When it comes to the matchup between these two teams, the Blue Jays’ pitching will be the key factor. The Cardinals have had some success offensively, but they will be facing two of the best pitchers in the game in Ray and Ryu. The Blue Jays’ bullpen will need to be more consistent if they hope to win this series.
On the other hand, the Cardinals’ starting pitching will also be important. If Flaherty and Kim can continue their strong starts to the season, they should be able to keep the Blue Jays’ offense in check. The Cardinals’ bullpen will also be a key factor, as they look to shut down the Blue Jays’ offense late in games.
Defensively, both teams have been solid, but the Cardinals have a clear advantage in the infield. Goldschmidt and Arenado are both excellent defensive players, and they will be a key factor in shutting down the Blue Jays’ offense. The outfield defense for both teams has also been solid, with players like Randal Grichuk and Harrison Bader making key plays.
One other factor to consider is the stadium itself. Busch Stadium has a reputation for being a pitcher-friendly ballpark, particularly during the early part of the season when temperatures are cooler. The dimensions are spacious, and the ball does not carry as well as it does in some other ballparks. This could benefit both teams’ pitching staffs, but it could also make it more difficult for their offenses to score runs.
In conclusion, the series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the St. Louis Cardinals is an important matchup for both teams. The Blue Jays’ pitching will be the key to victory, as they look to shut down the Cardinals’ offense. The Cardinals’ starting pitching and bullpen will also be important, as they look to keep the Blue Jays’ offense in check. It should be an exciting series to watch, with both teams looking to turn their seasons around and gain some momentum going forward.
