The Toronto Blue Jays won’t start with Bo Bichette atop their order as they go for a series win Sunday against the New York Yankees.
The 26-year-old shortstop was not listed in Toronto’s starting nine, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is filling in defensively and as the leadoff hitter.
Bichette returned from the injured list on Tuesday after missing time with a right calf strain. Since his return, the two-time All-Star has gone 3-for-21 with a double and five runs scored.
Kiner-Falefa will enter Sunday’s game on a 13-game hitting streak, owning a .438 average and four extra-base hits over that span.
Yankees starter Gerrit Cole will be making his third start of the season after beginning the year on the 60-day injured list. His last time out didn’t go all that well, as the reigning AL Cy Young winner allowed six runs, four homers and four walks without any strikeouts in a loss to the New York Mets.
Bichette has struggled in his career against Cole, batting just .163 over 43 at-bats against New York’s ace.
On the flip side, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has fared extremely well against Cole, posting a 1.002 OPS with a pair of home runs in 31 at-bats against the 33-year-old. Guerrero will look to continue his power surge on Sunday, with the 25-year-old first baseman sitting one RBI away from setting a Blue Jays record for runs driven in in a week.
You can watch on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ as Kevin Gausman takes the ball with Toronto one win away from its first series victory in over two weeks. First pitch is scheduled for 1:37 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT.
