On Friday night, we looked towards a power pitcher vs this Tampa offense with Kevin Guasman over 7.5 strikeouts. We’re gonna do the same thing this afternoon. Alek Monoah will take the mound for the Blue Jays, and I like this spot for him to rack up some strikeouts.
Alek was a big prospect in the Blue Jays system for several years, and finally reached the majors early last season. His career is off to a terrific start as he is 13-2 with a 2.86 ERA. He has struck out 162 in 147.2 innings, good for 1.1 an inning since he arrived. He has 7 or more strikeouts in 3/6 so far this season. He is coming off a 3 K game vs a Cleveland offense that is very difficult to strike out, but just like Guasman I love him to bounce back in this spot.
Tampa Bay has been a really good target this season, especially vs right handed pitching. Over the last 30 days, they have the worst strikeout percentage vs righties. This spot is especially interesting due to Alek success vs Tampa in his early career. In 71 plate appearances vs Alek, current Rays batters have struck out 28 times (39.4%). In four starts vs them last year, Alek hit his over in 4/4 with 10, 9, 10, and 7 K in those starts. I’m liking him to put up similar numbers again this afternoon.
