Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider describes Jose Berrios as “a machine” after the right-hander’s impressive start to the season. Berrios has a 4-0 record with a 0.85 ERA and has not allowed a run in his last three outings, covering 19 2/3 innings. His overall scoreless-innings streak stands at 21 2/3 innings.
In 21 career starts against the Royals, Berrios is 7-5 with a 4.72 ERA, most recently going seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts in a 5-2 win on Sept. 10, 2023. Berrios has held Salvador Perez to a .200 average with just three extra-base hits — all doubles — in 40 at-bats.
The Blue Jays’ bats have been scuffling at the moment. Toronto has not scored more than five runs in a game since a 9-8 loss to the Yankees on April 6. Toronto scored nine total runs in the first three games of the series, with five coming on two swings in the Monday opener. The Blue Jays left 22 runners on base while hitting 3-for-25 with runners in scoring position over the past three games.
Cole Ragans (0-2, 4.32 ERA) will take the ball for Kansas City on Thursday. The left-hander recorded just five outs while matching a career high with seven runs allowed on nine hits in a 9-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.
In his lone career start against the Blue Jays, Ragans allowed two runs on one hit in 5 2/3 innings while taking no decision on Sept. 10, 2023. He struck out six but walked a career-high six.
The Royals have run the bases aggressively while taking two of the first three from the Blue Jays, executing hit-and-runs and double steals. Bobby Witt Jr. stole three bases and Maikel Garcia stole two in the pair of one-run victories.
