The Toronto Blue Jays couldn't be set up any better for a bullpen day when they seek a road-series win over the Oakland Athletics in the finale of a three-game set on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Jays needed to give their relievers as much rest as possible with starter Alek Manoah out for the season with upcoming elbow surgery and his spot in the rotation coming up Sunday. They got their wish as Toronto received eight strong innings from Chris Bassitt in a 2-1 loss Friday and a full nine innings from Kevin Gausman in a 7-0 win in Saturday's rematch.
The Blue Jays' bullpen threw a total of one pitch in the two games, although it went for a walk-off home run by Oakland's JJ Bleday on Friday. Toronto is expected to turn to right-hander Bowden Francis (2-2, 9.00 ERA) to make the start on Sunday.
Francis struggled in relief in his last outing on Tuesday, allowing four runs on five hits -- including two homers -- in 3 1/3 innings in a 10-1 setback to the Baltimore Orioles. He has come out of the bullpen twice in his career against Oakland, throwing a total of two hitless, scoreless innings. Fellow right-hander Trevor Richards (1-0, 2.
93 ERA) also is expected to pitch in some fashion on Sunday for the Blue Jays. He got the call Tuesday in Baltimore and worked two scoreless innings, striking out four. Richards has faced the A's only in relief in his career, going 0-0 with a 3.
86 ERA over seven appearances. "We're still in the planning phase," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "(Yo.
