Ryu Hyun-jin “Korean Monster” Ryu, 36, Toronto Blue Jays, will try to win four games for the fifth time this season. Toronto is in desperate need of a win to clinch a postseason berth.
Ryu will take the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, at 5:10 a.m. ET on April 24.
Ryu returned to the big leagues last month after more than a year of rehabilitation following elbow ligament splicing surgery (Tommy John surgery) last year and went 3-1 in five games in August.
He continued to pitch well in September, but the luck didn’t follow. He didn’t get a win in four consecutive games, including a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 2 (five innings, two runs), a loss against the Oakland Athletics on Aug. 7 (five innings, two runs), a loss against the Texas Rangers on Aug. 13 (six innings, three runs), and a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox on Aug. 18 (4⅔ innings, no runs).
Ryu will look to get back to four wins on the season tonight against Tampa Bay.
As the season comes to a close, every game is important for Toronto.
With 85 wins and 68 losses as of Aug. 22, the Rays are in the hunt for the American League wild card and a spot in the postseason. Currently, Tampa Bay (94-60) has clinched the No. 1 wild card, leaving three teams – Toronto, the Seattle Mariners, and Texas – in a tight race for the final two spots.
One of the three teams will not be playing fall baseball, so they have to fight for every game. As much as Ryu is looking for his fourth win of the season, Toronto needs him to pitch well.
The Rays have the second-best winning percentage in the American League. The Baltimore Orioles (95-58) are in the same division, and despite not winning the division by more than six games, they have clinched an early postseason berth.
The Rays have an ideal two-hit balance, but their hitting has been particularly impressive. This season, the Rays have a team OPS of .772, which ranks fourth among the 30 major league clubs, and 217 team home runs, which ranks fifth.
They have a lot of one-hit wonders in their lineup. While there are no “sluggers” with more than 30 home runs, there are five with 20 or more, and 10 with double-digit home runs.토토사이트
Isaac Paredes, who has a team-high 29 homers, is the No. 1 target. Randy Arozarenas (23 homers) and Yandy Diaz (20 homers) also lead the team in power, while Brandon Lowe (21 homers) has a low batting average but is a force to be reckoned with.
Add to that Josh Lowe, who has 75 RBIs, and you’ve got a powerhouse at the plate. This is a Tampa Bay lineup that doesn’t really have any “off days”.
Meanwhile, Hyun-jin Ryu has made five career appearances against Tampa Bay, but has yet to record a win or a loss. His ERA in those five games was 2.55. Ryu will be looking for his fifth win of the season and his first career victory against Tampa Bay.
His last start against the Rays came on May 15 of last year, when he allowed one run in 4⅔ innings before leaving the game.
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