Nationals vs Blue Jays: Tonight's Lineup - Game Two Preview
Photo credit: https://x.com/BlueJays
The Washington Nationals take on the Toronto Blue Jays in game two of a three game set at Rogers Centre. Blue Jays veteran Jose Berrios takes the bump in his second start of the season. He will face Nationals starter Trevor Williams this evening, first pitch will be at 7:07 PM ET on Sportsnet, TVA Sports and MASN 2.
To say Jose Berrios had a rough Opening Day might be a huge understatement.
Berrios struggled to keep the ball inside the yard during his fifth career opening-day start.
The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander tossed five innings, allowing six runs on nine hits, while serving up three homers to the Baltimore Orioles last Thursday..
Adley Rutschman started the onslaught with a solo shot in the first inning and is now 16-26 with four home runs against Berrios, and 10-for-13 in his career on Opening Day.
Canadian Tyler O'Neill ripped a two-run shot in the third inning off Berrios, extending the lead to 3-0 and his Major League record to six consecutive home runs on Opening Day.
"Today I wasn't executing my pitches. I tried, but I didn't," Berrios told reporters after the game. "They had a good day in the box. So, like the leader I am, I failed today."
The 30-year-old Berrios showed signs of life with five strikeouts but surrendered a pair of walks and was pulled after 90 pitches following the fifth inning with the Blue Jays trailing 6-2.
"I failed today."
Berrios has given up a home run in the first frame in each of his three opening-day outings with the Blue Jays and is 0-1 with a no-decision in his first two cracks.
The Nationals will send out Trevor Williams for his first start of the season tonight.
He ended last season with a 2.02 ERA and a 1.035 WHIP in 13 games, finishing with a 6-1 record. Williams had a 9-3 record when he pitched as an underdog last season.
The 32-year-old finished with a record of 10-3 in games he pitched last season for the nationals.
Toronto Blue Jays Starting Lineup
1. SS Bo Bichette
2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3. LF Anthony Santander
4. 2B Andrés Giménez
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF George Springer
7. DH Will Wagner
8. 3B Ernie Clement
9. RF Alan Roden
SP Jose Berrios
2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3. LF Anthony Santander
4. 2B Andrés Giménez
5. C Alejandro Kirk
6. CF George Springer
7. DH Will Wagner
8. 3B Ernie Clement
9. RF Alan Roden
SP Jose Berrios
Toronto went 74-88 overall and 39-42 in home games a season ago. The Blue Jays pitching staff had a collective 4.30 ERA while averaging 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2024 season.
Washington had a 71-91 record overall and a 33-48 record in road games last season. The Nationals pitching staff had a collective 4.31 ERA last season while averaging 8.3 strikeouts and three walks per nine innings.
INJURIES: Blue Jays: Max Scherzer: 15-Day IL (lat), Erik Swanson: 15-Day IL (hand), Ryan Burr: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Nationals: Derek Law: 15-Day IL (forearm), Cade Cavalli: 15-Day IL (elbow), DJ Herz: 60-Day IL (elbow), Zach Brzykcy: 15-Day IL (quadricep), Andres Chaparro: 10-Day IL (oblique), Mason Thompson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Josiah Gray: 60-Day IL (elbow)
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 1 | 76 ANSWERS Nationals vs Blue Jays: Tonight's Lineup - Game Two Preview Will Jose Berrios rebound from his terrible start on Opening Day? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 86.8 % |
| No | 3 | 3.9 % |
| I hope so | 7 | 9.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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