DraftKings. Bowden Francis has failed to finish six innings in six of his nine starts. Pitching to a 5.63 ERA (6.03 xERA), Francis has really struggled of late, with an 8.10 ERA. The Padres have been slumping at the plate of late, but facing Francis should serve as a breakout spot. San Diego hit finesse pitchers really well, with a .789 OPS. Francis does not miss bats, nor does he walk anyone, and allows a ton of hard contact (5th percentile). The Jays pen is very well rested, and I doubt Francis has much of a leash the third time through the order, when opponents have a 1.136 OPS against him. Playable down to under 17.5 outs.
Things don't look great for the Padres, who are currently on a five game losing streak and have yet to score a run in this trip to Toronto. With just three total runs during the five losses, they uncharacteristically struck out six times against Chris Bassitt and nine times to Kevin Gausman over the last couple games. Bowden Francis should be a sight for sore eyes though, as he's been hit hard more than half the time and possesses a 6.03 expected ERA. Francis has actually topped this strikeout total in six of nine starts but facing what has been one of MLB's toughest teams to strikeout, there's value at this price.
The Padres are in a terrible slump but nothing lasts forever and Bowden Francis should be just what they want to see to get out of it. Too many quality bats unable to do anything at the plate for the Padres, but the ball carries well in this park. Bowden Francis has a 6.75 ERA in Rogers Centre. After getting absolutely embarrassed Wednesday the Padres' skipper will light a fire under them here.
Merrill went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Twins.
Tatis went 4-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four total RBI in Sunday's 8-1 win over the Twins.
Buehler (8-6) allowed one run on four hits and struck out four without walking a batter over six innings to earn the win over the Twins on Sunday.
Soriano (10-7) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out seven.
Mize had X-rays on his sprained right ankle come back clean Sunday and hopes to make his next start, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Canning (4-9) earned the win over Minnesota on Saturday, allowing three hits and issuing one walk while striking out one batter over 3.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Straw will start in center field and bat ninth in Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Gimenez (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Sanchez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Merrill went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a second RBI and a walk in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Twins.
