The Toronto Blue Jays are flying high to finish off the regular season and will open up the Wild Card series at home on October 7.
They might even have their Game 1 starter lined up already.
The pitcher in question would be Alek Manoah, the 24-year-old right-hander who has been the ace of the Blue Jays all season long.
In 31 starts this year, Manoah has gone 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA.
Yesterday, the monthly awards were announced all across Major League Baseball.
The Blue Jays ace is one of those who will be taking home one of the honors, as he was named the American League Pitcher of the Month yesterday.
The lowest single-month ERA in team HISTORY 🔥 @Alek_Manoah6 is @MLB's AL Pitcher of the Month! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/rnfZUdmZK3
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 3, 2022
Manoah Earns AL Pitcher Of The Month Honors
In 41 innings pitched this month, Manoah struck out 33 batters, held opponents to a .162 batting average, and posted an 0.88 ERA, which is an all-time best for a Blue Jays pitcher in a single month.
Manoah has been that guy all season long for the Blue Jays.
When they needed a big start, Manoah was there to give them just that.
He certainly had a September to remember as he carried the Blue Jays to a postseason berth for the first time in a full season since 2016.
When you post a franchise-best ERA for a single month, it’s hard to imagine not getting some sort of praise for it.
Manoah got that and then some for his yeomen work on the mound this month.
If all goes according to plan, then Manoah should be on track to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series on Friday night, whether the Blue Jays face the Tampa Bay Rays or the Seattle Mariners.
Manoah carried the Blue Jays in September, and will be relied on heavily in the postseason.
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