Braydon Fisher gets John Schneider's first-inning call Saturday as Toronto turns to an opener again against Baltimore.
The Blue Jays said Fisher will start, with Spencer Miles expected to cover a big chunk of the middle innings in the second game of the Orioles series at Rogers Centre.
That makes this a real manager call, not a routine pregame note. Toronto enters the afternoon at 30-34, while Baltimore comes in at 31-33.
Fisher has earned the look. Over 32 appearances, he owns a 2.62 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 34.1 innings.
This will be Fisher's 4th opener assignment of the season, and the expectation is that he handles roughly an inning before the game flips to Miles.
The heavier ask belongs to Miles, who has become one of the best stories on Toronto's staff after arriving in the Rule 5 Draft. He carries a 3.47 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 36.1 innings.
Miles also has 2 starts already, so Schneider is not handing the middle innings to a pure short reliever. Toronto has stretched him more than once, and that is the whole point of this setup.
Toronto is splitting one start into 2 jobs
That split says plenty about where the Blue Jays are right now. They are still chasing stable innings, and this plan lets Fisher stay in the lane where he has been sharp while giving Miles the longer runway.
It also gives Toronto a different look at the top of the game. Fisher can attack Baltimore early with fresh stuff, then Miles can try to settle the middle once the lineup turns over. That is the likely read from how the Blue Jays have used both arms.
The other side raises the pressure. Baltimore is starting Kyle Bradish, who comes in at 3-6 with a 3.44 ERA, so Toronto cannot afford a messy opening inning.
Fisher's recent work says he can handle that first punch. Over his last 7 games, he has a 1.35 ERA and a 0.45 WHIP.
Miles has been carrying real volume, too. In his last 7 games, he has logged 20.2 innings, which is why the Blue Jays are comfortable lining him up for the bulk role instead of a normal bullpen lane.
So this is the shape of Toronto's plan today. Braydon Fisher gets the start, Spencer Miles gets the middle, and Schneider is betting that 1 game can be covered best by 2 pitchers doing different jobs.
Do you like the Blue Jays using Braydon Fisher as an opener with Spencer Miles behind him?
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