Radim Zohorna makes first impression, Toronto continues strong push: Marlies Weekly

It was a losing week for the Marlies, but they did get an exciting addition, who could provide some needed size to the forward group.
Toronto began the week with a school day game against Rockford, hoping to extend their lead in the North Division. And well, they did just that.
Max Ellis scored two big goals for the Marlies, in the second and third periods, to help them push past the IceHogs 5-3. Pontus Holmberg also found the back of the net, with an assist going to Tommy Miller, who had two in the game.
Erik Kallgren stopped 21 of the 24 shots he faced and at the end of the game had an 8-5-2 record with an .885 save percentage.
Those school day games are loud and likely helped give Toronto a push in the right direction. However, you couldn’t say the same about Friday’s game in Hershey.
The Marlies started off very slow only tallying 11 shots through the first two periods while the Bears put up double that. Hershey was able to find the back of the net three times in the second period, and honestly, it didn’t look like Toronto had it in them to come back.
But they pushed.
Marc Johnstone started the scoring, finding the back of the net for his …

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Author: Nick Barden / The Leafs Nation

Pre-Series Notes: Jays turn to the pen for game one, Berrios looks to continue strong September

It was a tough night for the Jays on Thursday losing 11-0 to the Tampa Bay Rays. That said, they still took the five-game series 3-2 and sit atop the wild card standings with a record of 81-63. Since being swept by the Los Angeles Angels in late August they have now won their last five series, including four and five game sets against the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Orioles had the day off yesterday after completing a quick two game sweep of the Washington Nationals earlier in the week. They have fallen behind in the wild card race going just 7-6 so far in September. They are 4.5 games back of the Rays for the final playoff spot.
Things Worth Mentioning…
Tonight’s game will be broadcasted on AppleTVPlus.

#FridayNightBaseball is here.
Watch us face the Orioles live only on @AppleTVPlus tonight: https://t.co/WohVI5QL6d pic.twitter.com/x7QcD00Q4i
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 16, 2022

The game is free if you sign in to an Apple account. You don’t need to have a subscription.
Don’t forget to vote for Bo Bichette.

We’re proud to honour Bo Bichette as this year’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee
Vote for Bo at https://t.co/ziSBItXu6R pic.twitter.com/toGpO09G0x
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 15, 2022

Bo is this year’s nominee from the Blue Jays for the Roberto Clemente award. The Roberto Clemente award is an annual honour given to “the player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.”
The head-to-head…
Trevor Richards vs. Jordan Lyles
It will be a bullpen day for the Blue Jays tonight with Trevor Richards being used as an opener. He threw 29 pitches in relief in yesterday’s loss so he will likely pitch one inning at most. This will be Richards’ third start this season (all in September). The Jays are 1-1 in games he has started.
Richards allowed five runs and recorded just two outs against the Tampa Bay Rays last night. He has given up nine run …

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Author: Scott Ony / Blue Jays Nation

Pre-Series Notes: New Blue Jays make home debuts, Canadian Cal Quantrill returns to face his childhood team

Coming off two days rest and riding a two game losing streak into tonight, it feels like the Blue Jays haven’t won a game in forever. That said, they still hold the top spot in the American League wild card race with a record of 60-50.
Meanwhile the Guardians have won five in a row to take the lead in the AL Central. The tightest division race in the Majors, the Central still has three teams battling for the division crown. The Minnesota Twins trail the Guardians by just 1.5 games and the Chicago White Sox are 3.5 back.
The Jays will be looking for revenge after losing two of three in Cleveland back in May.
Things Worth Mentioning…
A pair of Blue Jays will be making their home debut tonight.

Whit Merrifield (2B) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (CF) will make their #BlueJays home debut starting tonight. pic.twitter.com/NVdbg7HgdB
— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) August 12, 2022

George Springer is still on IL so Bradley Jr. will start in center and Merrifield will make his first start at second for the Jays. One of the best defensive CF’s of the last decade Bradley Jr. provides plus defence and speed with a below average bat. He did however hit two home runs in his last series against the Blue Jays while he was with the Red Sox. In 92 games this year he is slashing .210/.257/.321 with three home runs.
One of the favourites for the AL Rookie of the Year, Steven Kwan is on a tear recently.

.@CleGuardians OF Steven Kwan has now hit safely in 26 of the last 29 games
Tale of the tape:
.358 (42 hits) 9 doubles 1 triple 2 HR 8 RBI 12 multi-hit games; 5 three-hit games pic.twitter.com/wJJZW94DEx
— Jensen Lewis (@JLEWFifty) August 11, 2022

In his debut season, Kwan it batting .300 …

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Author: Scott Ony / Blue Jays Nation