Content of the article

PITTSBURGH — It was a feel-good weekend at one of America’s great ballparks, a weekend in which Blue Jays fans far outnumbered supporters of the local back nine.

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

A sweep was a bonus, a three-game sweep capped by a too-close-for-comfort 4-3 victory over the Pirates here at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon. The results certainly provided a strong start to the 10-game road trip, even if the sweep was against the miserable, 49-84 Bucs. From our newsroom to your midday inbox, the latest headlines, stories, opinions and photos from the Toronto Sun. By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

Thanks for subscribing!

A welcome email is on its way. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will be in your inbox soon. We encountered a problem with your registration. PLEASE try again

Content of the article

But now it’s about to get real, starting with a scheduled four-game stretch in three days against the stubborn Orioles in Baltimore, starting with a double dip on Monday.

Content of the article

The biggest series of the year? For now, though, let’s go with this. “We know every game is going to be like a playoff game and how valuable and important it is going to be, especially the four coming up against Baltimore,” Jays reliever Anthony Bass said Sunday. “The Baltimore series will really set the tone for the rest of the road, especially since they’ve been playing so well lately.

Advertising 3

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

“They are right behind us and we have to bury them behind us. We have to win these games.” We apologize, but this video failed to load. They’re not really must-win games, of course, but they’ll certainly feel that way as the Jays enter the final 30 games of the campaign. Ideally, the Jays would be atop the wild-card race at worst so far, instead of holding onto third place and just 1.5 games up on the O’s heading into Sunday’s action. The motivation runs deep, starting with Bass’s accurate assertion that above all else they must take care of the lucky O’s. Ideally, returning to Maryland for a season-ending series in Baltimore in early October won’t be loaded with the pressure of securing a spot in the postseason dance. “We know we’re playing a lot of really good teams in our division, so we know every game is going to be like a playoff game,” said Bass, who went 1-2-3 in the eighth inning Sunday. “We’re trying not to look too far ahead, but obviously we’re going to write our own destiny here in the next week or two.”

Advertising 4

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

Of the remaining 30 games on the Jays’ schedule, 19 are against the Orioles (10) and Rays (9), a pair of teams that could play a major role in the Jays’ playoff picture. Despite their uneven play at times, the Jays have won 12 of their last 17 and in completing their sixth sweep of the season and a 73-59 record are now a season-best 14 games over .500. The challenge is that others in the AL wild-card race haven’t budged either. Entering Sunday’s game, the Mariners had won eight of their previous nine and the Rays had won 11 of 13.

Advertising 5

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

Interim manager John Sneijder’s approach is for his players to enjoy the opportunity in front of them and play loose. “Enjoying those moments and embracing the fact that this is what you’re playing for … that’s the biggest thing,” Schneider said. “They’ve been around each other for a long time, a handful of years and the guys that have come in I think they all understand that. It’s a fun atmosphere. “The longer you can be in those spots … this is still a relatively young core … the better for them to continue.” Clearly Schneider and his staff recognize the importance of the Baltimore series and handled the rotation accordingly. Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios are expected to start Monday’s doubleheader at Camden Yards, followed by Mitch White and then Alek Manoah in Wednesday’s finale.

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

“Right now they realize they were in a playoff position last year where they finished one game short,” said Snyder, whose team has now won nine of its last 10 at home. “They know what we need to do to get a little bit better and we have a chance right now to put our own spin on the program we’ve put together.” They’ll be betting on making that history early Monday afternoon for what the Jays hope will be their version of a Labor Day Classic. “Good teams go about their business,” said Sunday’s opener Ross Stripling. “If we go to Baltimore and win three … that’s the motivation. “We understand that we are the better team.”

GAME START

The Jays got another good outing from Sunday starter Ross Stripling, who allowed two hits and three runs over six innings. The right-hander struck out eight while walking three… The Jays appeared to be on an early run, building a 3-0 lead through four, with the biggest hit being a solo homer by Cavan Biggio. But the Pirates got back into it with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning and then tied it with a solo homer by Oneil Cruz in the fourth… The Jays had a golden opportunity to take a big lead in the sixth with the bases loaded and one outside. But a soft ground ball into a double play by Whit Merrifield ended that threat… The eighth also started with some promise, with singles by Danny Jansen and Matt Chapman before Vlad Guerrero Jr. ground into a double play. But when Teoscar Hernandez hit a single through an infield hole, the Jays took a 4-3 lead… The Jays had to dodge a bullet in the ninth when closer Jordan Romano allowed the first two batters to reach before striking out the next three hits to record his 30th save.

Advertising 7

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Content of the article

AROUND THE BASES

Sunday was a rest day for George Springer, and Snyder went with Matt Chapman at first.. He still has a ways to go to get back to the big leagues, but Nate Pearson’s rehab took a nice step forward Sunday in Florida, where he pitched a scoreless inning. for the Dunedin Blue Jays. Pearson’s fastball was clocked at 99 miles per hour … It looks like second baseman Santiago Espinal has survived the fastball he took to his left hand on Friday. Espinal was not in the lineup Sunday, but reported having full motion in his arm.. The traveling road show of Jays fans was well represented for the team’s first visit to this great sports city since 2014.

Share this article on your social network

This ad hasn’t loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Comments

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their views on our articles.  Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site.  We ask that you keep your comments relevant and respectful.  We’ve enabled email notifications—you’ll now receive an email if you get a reply to your comment, there’s an update on a comment thread you’re following, or if a user follows the comments.  Visit the Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.