James Paxton Returns To Canada As New York Looks To Bounce Back Against Toronto

The last time James Paxton was on the mound for New York he was returning from a stint on the disabled list and he threw 66 pitches to the Padres over four innings and did not allow a hit, departing with the Yankees leading, 3-0, on three solo homers from DJ LeMahieu, Luke Voit and Gio Urshela. “according to https://www.mlb.com/news/james-paxton-throws-4-hitless-innings-in-return

The last time James Paxton who is from Ladner, BC, Canada started against Toronto he wasn’t a member of New York. Instead he was a member of Seattle and during that game on May 8th of last season James Paxton threw a no-hitter .Paxton was the primary star of the 2 hour, 19-minute sprint, a 5-0 Mariners victory over the Blue Jays and Long Island’s Marcus Stroman, a game in which he struck out seven and walked three. He threw 99 pitches, 64 strikes. “according to https://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/james-paxton-no-hitter-yankees-blue-jays-1.31985778

On Wednesday night James Paxton will start for New York who comes into the game with a record of 38-21 and who is leading the division will look to bounce back in game two of the three game series and even things up while Toronto meanwhile who comes into the game with s record of 22-38 and is fourth in the division will look to win the series.

As stated throughout the article James Paxton will start for New York. The left-hander comes into the game with a record of 3-2 with a 2.81 earn run average. Activated from the injured list, Paxton fired four scoreless, hitless innings against the Padres before running into a pitch count. The Canadian-born hurler is returning to Toronto for the first time since his May 8, 2018, no-hitter. He will oppose Toronto right -hander Trent Thornton who comes into the game with a record of 1-4 with a 4.53 earn run average. Thornton has been solid over his last four starts, posting a 3.63 ERA in 22 1/3 innings. This will be the first career start for the 25-year-old right-hander against the Yankees. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/roster/probable-pitchers

As for the opening game of the three game series between New York and Toronto. New York suffered yet another setback.

Clint Frazier bounced back from what he called the most difficult game of his professional career by belting an early homer, but Masahiro Tanaka unraveled in a shaky fifth inning as the Yankees fell to the Blue Jays, 4-3, on Tuesday evening at Rogers Centre. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/clint-frazier-homers-masahiro-tanaka-fades

Aaron Hicks cracked an eighth-inning homer off Joe Biagini to close the deficit to a run, but the Bombers were unable to rally further in the first meeting of the season between the American League East rivals. It marked just the Yanks' sixth loss in 24 games against divisional opponents. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/clint-frazier-homers-masahiro-tanaka-fades

Meanwhile New York’s starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka could not hold the lead, as Randal Grichuk hit a solo homer and Freddy Galvis put Toronto on top with a two-run shot. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a run-scoring single against Tanaka, who absorbed the loss after permitting four runs and six hits over six innings. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/clint-frazier-homers-masahiro-tanaka-fades

Despite the loss, New York still is in first place in the American League East as they drop to 38-21 on the season while Toronto meanwhile improves to 22-38 on the season. “according to https://www.mlb.com/yankees

Meanwhile Toronto bounced back after suffering six straight losses.

It only took one inning for the Blue Jays to start the climb out of the hole they found themselves in after a winless six-game trip at Tampa Bay and Colorado. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

One inning was the difference in the 4-3 win for the home team at Rogers Centre, a four-run fifth frame against Masahiro Tanaka that started with Randal Grichuk's 10th home run of the season, was followed by a two-run shot from Freddy Galvis for his ninth long ball of the year, and finished after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in Eric Sogard with an RBI single. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“[Tanaka left] some pitches up in that inning, and then we took advantage of it,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He was outstanding, like he always is. He always keeps the ball down, but it was good for us to come back against a good pitcher like that. That was a good win for us, and a good job by our hitters to get to him that inning.” Sogard's seventh double of the season put him in scoring position and was one of three hits he had in the matchup, two off Tanaka. The Yankees' right-hander had won his previous three starts against Toronto, allowing one run over 19 innings entering Tuesday. Over that span he struck out 31 of the 68 Blue Jays batters he faced.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“We stick to our plan, we see good pitches, we let him make some mistakes and we make him pay,” Galvis said. “When a pitcher like that, a really, really good pitcher makes mistakes, you have to make him pay because if not, they’re going to beat you the next pitch.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

While Galvis and Sogard impressed at the plate on Tuesday, it was a defensive gem in the top of the seventh inning that felt like the biggest game-changer to many in the home dugout.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

With one out and DJ LeMahieu on second base, Gary Sanchez hit a ground ball to Galvis. Instead of going straight to first for one out, Toronto’s shortstop went to second, where Sogard was waiting to get the tag down on LeMahieu as he attempted to return, before quickly turning the double play and beating Sanchez to first with his throw.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“You just don’t teach that,” Montoyo said. “He’s got it, that’s Galvis. And from what I heard, he told Sogard about it -- ‘If this happens, I’m going to go to you’ -- and he did it. ... Even if he didn’t talk about it, that’s incredible you can think like that, and that makes Galvis special. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“I would have gone to first, but I’m not that good.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

Galvis weighed his options, anticipated having a chance at the play with a slow-running catcher at the plate, and relayed the idea to Sogard ahead of the batted ball that he was willing to risk it. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“You have to [take] risks if you want to win, [that’s] the way it is,” Galvis said. “Sometimes we have to risk something, and it’s the same way if we’re running the bases or just trying to hit the first pitch. We have to do it, we take the risk and we make the plays.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

The offence -- and defence -- backed Clayton Richard's third start back from the injured list -- out for the beginning of the season with a right knee stress reaction -- in which he finished 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“It’s a lot better when we win,” Richard said. “It’s a lot more fun. We get to listen to music and have a good time together. But anytime you go out and leave – in a close game – the team in a position to win, it’s a better feeling. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

“And to come through and have Freddy have the game that he had, Freddy and [Sogard], I don’t think I’ve seen a play like that. That’s two guys thinking ahead of the game and being on the same page. That’s pretty special. Then for him to come through with the homer to give us the lead, it’s a great team win.” “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

Ahead of Tuesday's start, the 35-year-old left-hander had allowed three runs on five hits in eight innings over his first two starts, continuing to rebuild stamina after his time sidelined. Richard threw 54 pitches in his first outing, 81 in his second, and 87 against the Yankees on Tuesday.”according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

The win was Toronto's second in its past 12 games, the team being outscored 80-44 over that stretch. The Blue Jays avoided their first seven-game skid since April 2017. “according to https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/randal-grichuk-freddy-galvis-homer-off-tanaka

First pitch is set for 7:07pm from Rogers Centre. The game will be televised on Yes, SNET-1 and SNET360.