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No subplot shortage in Sox-Blue Jays showdown
- Updated: September 8, 2016
Other than featuring a couple of MVP candidates, a few guys in the Cy Young discussion and the two teams at the forefront of a deep and dynamic chase for the American League East title, this weekend’s Blue Jays-Red Sox series at Rogers Centre is a real dog.
OK, that’s called sarcasm, people. (Unless you thought I was referring to one of those pure-bred, well-fed, well-manicured and well-mannered “Best in Show”-type dogs, in which case, carry on.)
Point is, Toronto-Boston is the highlight of the Major League schedule this weekend, a clash of colossuses that will give us at least a little bit more clarity in an ultra-complicated AL East.
Here are 10 key talking points for this set:
1. Heavy Cys
Every single one of these three games features a Cy Young candidate. How’s that for starters?
Friday: Rick Porcello opposes Marco Estrada. Estrada was probably in the running before this recent stretch in which he has a 7.29 ERA over four starts, but Porcello might be at the top of the Cy heap at the moment. He’s vying for his 20th win Friday, he’s got a Major League-best 5.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio to go with a 3.23 ERA and 143 ERA+ in 186 2/3 innings. He’s been a totally different pitcher in the last calendar year, as his changeup and cutter have become almost unhittable.
Saturday: J.A. Happ opposes Eduardo Rodriguez. Happ is another guy whose evolution since July 2015 is striking. He made some mechanical adjustments in Pittsburgh and is now legitimately one of the best lefties in the game, with a 17-4 record and a 3.34 ERA.
Sunday: Aaron Sanchez vs. Clay Buchholz. Sanchez has had some notable tweaks to his schedule as the Blue Jays try to maximize the impact of his innings after converting from relief work, but he enters this start as the AL ERA leader (2.92) in 169 1/3 innings.
2. Buchholz is back?
The roller-coaster career of Buchholz has taken another dramatic turn, with the Red Sox first turning to him in desperation in their setup role and then placing him back in the rotation as it became clear Steven Wright’s shoulder issue isn’t abating. It seemed all but certain the Sox would move Buchholz back at the Trade Deadline, but instead he’s re-emerged as a key weapon for them, with a 2.20 ERA and .574 OPS against in his last 12 appearances, including a brilliant start in San Diego this week.
“It’s been about as wild a year as I …
