Most Twins fans are probably rooting for the Toronto Blue Jays in this year’s Fall Classic. I mean, who, besides Dodgers fans, wants to see Los Angeles repeat as champions while leading the league in payroll? Yes, the Blue Jays also have a high payroll, but they haven’t won a World Series since 1993 and are much more likable. Not to mention that former Twin and Minnesota native Louis Varland is the Blue Jays’ most anticipated reliever this postseason, having played 10 games for Toronto in the playoffs so far.
To give Twins fans another reason to root for the Blue Jays, former Twins first baseman Ty France, who was nominated for this year’s Gold Glove Award, has surprisingly cracked Toronto’s World Series roster.
Ty France gives Twins fans another reason to root for the Blue Jays in the World Series
France and star shortstop Bo Bichette are on Toronto’s World Series roster despite being left off the ALDS and ALCS rosters, leaving outfielder Joey Loperfido, who replaced Anthony Santander on the ALCS roster, and reliever Yariel Rodríguez sidelined for the World Series.
France, whom the Twins traded along with Louis Varland to the Blue Jays in exchange for lefty pitcher Kendry Rojas and outfielder Alan Roden on July 31ended up on the injured list at the end of September with a left oblique inflammation, but still managed to return before the regular season ended. The former Twins first baseman’s injury may have been a reason why he wasn’t on the Blue Jays’ ALDS and ALCS rosters, but Toronto’s offensive depth is likely the main reason. France making the roster even though Bichette also made the cut is a bit of a surprise, but with Santander sidelined and Loperfido being left-handed, the Blue Jays decided it was necessary to have another right-handed bat on the roster. You have to wonder if France will be strictly a bench bat, or if he will start against lefty Blake Snell, who will make the start on the mound tonight in Game 1, which will start at 7:00 PM CST at the Rogers Center in Toronto.
After being traded to the Blue Jays, France started off hot at the plate but cooled off toward the end of the season. In 103 plate appearances with the Blue Jays this year, France hit .277/.320/.372 (91 OPS+). With the Twins this year, France slashed .251/.320/.357 (87 OPS+) in 387 plate appearances. One factor the Blue Jays likely considered in deciding to add France to the World Series roster is the ex-Twins’ stats with runners in scoring position; in 803 career plate appearances with runners in scoring position, France has hit .302/.369/.438 with 17 home runs and 269 RBIs.
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