<p>For a team that wishes to contend this season, the Toronto Blue Jays cannot get swept by the Los Angeles Angels.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Already losing the series is bad enough, especially in the fashion that they have. Tuesday saw the Jays take a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth thanks to a home run from Anthony Santander, but Yimi García and Jeff Hoffman struggled in the bottom of the eighth, giving up three earned runs each in an 8-3 loss. The Jays had a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth of Wednesday&#8217;s game, but Hoffman loaded the bases and gave up a bases-clearing double for the walk-off loss.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Since April 19th, the Blue Jays are 4-12, losing five of their last six series. They&#8217;ve suffered a five-game losing streak, a three-game losing streak, and their ongoing four-game losing streak over this span. The only reason why this season is still salvageable is thanks to a three-game win streak last week.</p>
<p>Over Chris Bassitt&#8217;s first four starts, he had a terrific 0.77 ERA and a 1.08 FIP in 23.1 innings pitched. However, he&#8217;s given up 11 earned runs over his last three starts for a 6.06 ERA. He went from a 33.3 K% in his first four starts to a 16.2 K% over his last three starts. Bassitt will try to right the ship in the series finale on Thursday.</p>
<p>As for the lineup, it&#8217;s what you&#8217;d come to expect by this point of the season. The top three remain the same: Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and  Santander. George Springer remains in cleanup, while Daulton Varsho bats fifth and Alejandro Kirk bats sixth. Tonight&#8217;s game sees a bottom third of Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, and Nathan Lukes.</p>
<p>Andrés Giménez isn&#8217;t in the lineup in tonight&#8217;s game as he was pulled from Wednesday&#8217;s game trying to beat out a bunt single. Clement shifts over to second in this game, while Barger will play third base.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s set up Thursday evening&#8217;s game, as the Jays try to salvage a win.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Location: Anaheim</strong></p>
<p><strong>First Pitch: 9;38 PM ET</strong></p>
<p><strong>Watch/Listen: Sportsnet 1, SN590</strong></p>
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
<p><strong>Toronto Blue Jays &#8211; Chris Bassitt:</strong> 2-2 record, 2.95 ERA, 39.2 IP, 43 SO, 7 BB</p>
<p><strong>Los Angeles Angels &#8211; José Soriano:</strong> 2-4 record, 3.83 ERA, 40 IP, 31 SO, 16 BB</p>
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<p><strong>Blue Jays:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Bo Bichette &#8211; SS</li>
<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. &#8211; 1B</li>
<li>Anthony Santander &#8211; RF</li>
<li>George Springer &#8211; DH</li>
<li>Daulton Varsho &#8211; CF</li>
<li>Alejandro Kirk &#8211; C</li>
<li>Addison Barger &#8211; 3B</li>
<li>Ernie Clement -2B</li>
<li>Nathan Lukes &#8211; LF</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>Angels:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Zach Neto &#8211; SS</li>
<li>Nolan Schanuel &#8211; 1B</li>
<li>Taylor Ward &#8211; LF</li>
<li>Jorge Soler &#8211; DH</li>
<li>Logan O&#8217;Hoppe &#8211; C</li>
<li>Yoán Moncada &#8211; 3B</li>
<li>Kyren Paris &#8211; CF</li>
<li>Jo Adell &#8211; RF</li>
<li>Tim Anderson &#8211; 2B</li>
</ol>
<hr />
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.</span></i></p>
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For a team that wishes to contend this season, the Toronto Blue Jays cannot get swept by the Los Angeles Angels.



Already losing the series is bad enough, especially in the fashion that they have. Tuesday saw the Jays take a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth thanks to a home run from Anthony Santander, but Yimi García and Jeff Hoffman struggled in the bottom of the eighth, giving up three earned runs each in an 8-3 loss. The Jays had a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth of Wednesday's game, but Hoffman loaded the bases and gave up a bases-clearing double for the walk-off loss.
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&nbsp;

Since April 19th, the Blue Jays are 4-12, losing five of their last six series. They've suffered a five-game losing streak, a three-game losing streak, and their ongoing four-game losing streak over this span. The only reason why this season is still salvageable is thanks to a three-game win streak last week.

Over Chris Bassitt's first four starts, he had a terrific 0.77 ERA and a 1.08 FIP in 23.1 innings pitched. However, he's given up 11 earned runs over his last three starts for a 6.06 ERA. He went from a 33.3 K% in his first four starts to a 16.2 K% over his last three starts. Bassitt will try to right the ship in the series finale on Thursday.

As for the lineup, it's what you'd come to expect by this point of the season. The top three remain the same: Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and  Santander. George Springer remains in cleanup, while Daulton Varsho bats fifth and Alejandro Kirk bats sixth. Tonight's game sees a bottom third of Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, and Nathan Lukes.

Andrés Giménez isn't in the lineup in tonight's game as he was pulled from Wednesday's game trying to beat out a bunt single. Clement shifts over to second in this game, while Barger will play third base.

Let's set up Thursday evening's game, as the Jays try to salvage a win.

<hr />

<strong>Location: Anaheim</strong>

<strong>First Pitch: 9;38 PM ET</strong>

<strong>Watch/Listen: Sportsnet 1, SN590</strong>
<h2>Starting Pitchers</h2>
<strong>Toronto Blue Jays - Chris Bassitt:</strong> 2-2 record, 2.95 ERA, 39.2 IP, 43 SO, 7 BB

<strong>Los Angeles Angels - José Soriano:</strong> 2-4 record, 3.83 ERA, 40 IP, 31 SO, 16 BB
<h2>Lineups:</h2>
<strong>Blue Jays:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Bo Bichette - SS</li>
 	<li>Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B</li>
 	<li>Anthony Santander - RF</li>
 	<li>George Springer - DH</li>
 	<li>Daulton Varsho - CF</li>
 	<li>Alejandro Kirk - C</li>
 	<li>Addison Barger - 3B</li>
 	<li>Ernie Clement -2B</li>
 	<li>Nathan Lukes - LF</li>
</ol>
<strong>Angels:</strong>
<ol>
 	<li>Zach Neto - SS</li>
 	<li>Nolan Schanuel - 1B</li>
 	<li>Taylor Ward - LF</li>
 	<li>Jorge Soler - DH</li>
 	<li>Logan O'Hoppe - C</li>
 	<li>Yoán Moncada - 3B</li>
 	<li>Kyren Paris - CF</li>
 	<li>Jo Adell - RF</li>
 	<li>Tim Anderson - 2B</li>
</ol>

<hr />

<i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.</span></i>

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