Jays Hit the Road Looking for a Reset in St. Louis

• The Blue Jays' four-game winning streak was snapped in a 6-3 loss to the Twins.
• Toronto begins a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
• The Blue Jays have not yet announced a starting pitcher for the series opener.
• Cardinals will start RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.91 ERA) in the first game.
• Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis is struggling, with his ERA inflating to 6.12 after giving up 10 earned runs in his last five innings.

Well, the winning streak was fun while it lasted. A 6-3 loss to the Twins on Sunday brought the Blue Jays back to earth, and now they head to St. Louis to kick off a three-game set against the Cardinals. With a record of 35-30, the Jays are looking to start a new streak, but a big question mark hangs over tonight's 7:45 PM start at Busch Stadium: who is going to be on the mound?

Bowden Francis has given up 10 earned runs over his last five innings, inflating his ERA to 6.12.

Showdown in the Show-Me State

The immediate task is handling the St. Louis Cardinals. Tonight's opener sees the Cards sending righty Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.91 ERA) to the hill. While the Blue Jays have yet to announce their starter, it's a crucial game to set the tone for the series and wash away the taste of yesterday's defeat. Snapping that four-game win streak was a bummer, but a strong showing in St. Louis would prove it was just a blip on the radar. The bats need to wake up and support whoever gets the ball.

Francis Searching for Answers

The uncertainty around tonight's starter puts a spotlight on the entire rotation, and right now, a key piece is struggling. Bowden Francis, who started the season so promisingly, is in a deep funk. His latest outing against the Twins was a rough one: 3.1 innings, four runs, five hits, and a staggering five walks. It's a continuation of a worrying trend that has seen his season ERA balloon to 6.12 and his WHIP climb to 1.56. After a disastrous stretch, he'll be looking for a major reset before his next scheduled start against the Phillies next weekend. The team needs the early-season version of Francis back, and soon.

Tonight is about more than just one game. It's about how this team responds to a setback and addresses the growing questions about their pitching depth. A win against the Cardinals would be a great start, but all eyes will be on who takes the mound, not just tonight, but for the foreseeable future. Let's hope the boys can get it done under the Gateway Arch.