Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis had an impressive outing on Wednesday, holding the New York Mets hitless for the first eight innings. However, he surrendered a home run to Francisco Lindor in the ninth, ultimately leading to a no-decision as the Blue Jays bullpen couldn’t hold the lead. Despite this, Francis has been in top form recently, with a 1.58 ERA and improved control.
One key factor in Francis’ success has been his improved fastball control. He has increased his strike percentage significantly since the All-Star break, leading to better results with his fastball. Additionally, he has been experimenting with his pitch mix, reducing his reliance on his fastball and curveball in favor of his splitter and slider, which have been more effective.
Overall, Francis’ adjustments to his fastball control and pitch mix have paid off, leading to a successful second half of the season. His willingness to try new things has been crucial to his breakout performance, which may not have happened if the Blue Jays were in a playoff race. While the Blue Jays may not be satisfied with their performance this year, it’s important to note that Francis has the potential to play a significant role in Toronto’s quest for improvement in 2025.