It’s a big game for Toronto and a big game for Ryu Hyun-jin.

Hyun-jin Ryu will take the mound against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday (July 7) at Levi’s Center Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Ryu, who returned to the big leagues last month after a 14-month absence following his second elbow surgery, is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six appearances since his return. In particular, he has pitched three consecutive games with less than two earned runs and has been the team’s go-to guy for wins. Aside from a loss in his comeback start against the Baltimore Orioles on April 2 (four runs in five innings), Toronto has won all five of Ryu’s starts.

In his most recent outing, he pitched well against Colorado on April 2. Despite Coors Field’s elevation of 1,610 meters, which significantly increases the velocity and distance of batted balls, Ryu bounced back with five innings of four-hit ball, two earned runs, and two walks. Aside from the second inning homer, it wasn’t a bad outing overall. His fastball topped out at 145 mph and averaged 140 mph, and his curveball, his main weapon, had good drop.

Ryu’s career record against Oakland is 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA in three starts. The A’s are 42-97 on the season with a .302 winning percentage and are in last place in the American League West. The team’s offense is also dismal. With a team batting average of 0.224 and an OPS of 0.671 this season, Ryu should have an easier time against Oakland’s offense.

However, Toronto is still missing some key players. Infielders Beau Bichette and Matt Chapman and Danny Jansen, Ryu’s designated catcher, are on the disabled list (IL). In the previous game, Arejandro Kirk wore a catcher’s mask. With the change of battery mates, it will be important to see how Ryu handles it. 바카라사이트

Toronto also needs a win tonight. Riding a three-game winning streak, capped by a 7-1 rout of Oakland the day before, Toronto improved to 77-62 on the season and moved past the Texas Rangers (76-62) into the third wild-card spot in the American League (AL). Only a half-game separates them. If they can widen the gap, they could easily make the postseason. For Ryu, it’s his fourth win of the season and a step toward free agency, and for Toronto, it’s a crucial game toward a postseason berth.