Arizona Diamondbacks vs Toronto Blue Jays Picks and Predictions July 12th 2024

Diamondbacks Look to Go Over .500 vs. Blue Jays

The Arizona Diamondbacks mean to outperform the .500 imprint interestingly since April 3 as they face the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series in Phoenix. Arizona’s new presentation has situated them for this open door, having won eight of their last 12 games, including a tight 1-0 triumph over the Atlanta Conquers on Thursday.

Recent Performance and Significant Moments

On Monday, the Diamondbacks’ closer Paul Sewald allowed Atlanta’s Sean Murphy to hit a two-run homer that tied the game, resulting in an 11-inning loss. In any case, Arizona bounced back by dominating the last two matches of their four-game set against Atlanta.

Eugenio Suarez has been crucial by homering for the lone run on Thursday, making it his second game in a row with a home run. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt pitched six shutout innings, and Jake McCarthy made a vital guarded play in the 10th inning, jumping to deny Matt Olson of a game-tying grand slam.

“I was in position. All I had to do was jump a little bit and reach over the fence,” McCarthy said. “I’m just happy because it was a big situation for it and our pitchers really balled out today, so I’m glad we came out with the win.”

This play prevented Sewald from blowing his fourth save in five chances, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was thrilled with the team’s effort.

“That’s a D-back type of win,” Lovullo said. “That’s what we believe in and what we talk about. And when we go out there and do it, it’s just very powerful.”

Blue Jays’ Recent Form

The Blue Jays have won four of their last five games and are 4-2 such a long ways on a nine-game Western excursion. Danny Jansen and Spencer Horowitz’s home runs led Toronto to a 5-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Thursday. Jansen’s homer down and out a long dry spell, as he had not homered since May 20.

“That definitely felt good,” Jansen said. “I’ve been grinding for the past however many weeks, but I’ve been trying to have good at-bats and pass it on to the next guy. To square one up definitely felt good, and I just want to build off that.”

Toronto’s lineup was without shortstop Bo Bichette (right calf strain) and outfielder Daulton Varsho (left knee contusion) on Thursday. While Varsho might return for the series against Arizona, the Blue Jays are contemplating placing Bichette on the 10-day injured list, considering the upcoming All-Star break for additional recovery time.

Pitching Matchup: Rodriguez vs. Nelson

Yariel Rodriguez

Rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (1-3, 3.68 ERA) starts for Toronto in the opener. Rodriguez earned his first major league win on Saturday by allowing just one hit in six scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners, striking out six and walking two. In his previous outing against the Houston Astros, despite taking the loss, Rodriguez impressed by giving up only one run and two hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Ryne Nelson

The Diamondbacks will use right-hander Ryne Nelson, who is 6-6 with a 5.08 earned run average. Nelson has been powerful as of late, permitting two runs or less in four of his beyond five beginnings, gathering a 3-1 record with a 3.49 Time during that range. He last pitched against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, permitting one run and three hits more than 6 2/3 innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a home run off Nelson in his only career start against Toronto nearly a year ago. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs (one earned) and nine hits.

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Conclusion

Friday’s game sets the stage for a competitive series as the Diamondbacks aim to surpass .500 and the Blue Jays aim to maintain their road winning streak. With the two groups major areas of strength for exhibiting exhibitions and vital participants moving forward, the opener in Phoenix guarantees a thrilling matchup. Ryne Nelson and Yariel Rodriguez will be significant as they take the hill, hoping to lead their particular groups to triumph.