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• Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Blanks BoSox in no-decision

  09/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Francis came away with a no-decision in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox, allowing three hits and a walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out four. In his final start of the season, Francis saw his quality-start streak snapped at seven when he got the hook after just 71 pitches (48 strikes), but he still ended a breakout campaign on a high note. The right-hander developed a splitter in the minors and moved back into the big-league rotation after the All-Star break, and the new pitch helped him deliver a dazzling 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 58:8 K:BB through 65 innings. Francis has put himself firmly in Toronto's 2025 pitching plans.

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• Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Logs seventh straight quality start

  09/19/2024 • By RotoWire

  Francis (8-5) took the loss against the Rangers on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over six innings. He struck out six. Francis allowed the leadoff man to reach in each of the first two innings but didn't surrender a run in the contest until the bottom of the sixth when Adolis Garcia took him deep for a two-run homer. Those would be the only runs allowed on the night for the right-hander, who's now given up at least one long ball in three consecutive outings. It marked Francis' seventh straight quality start, though he's now taken losses in two of his last three trips to the mound after previously winning four in a row. Despite the two losses, he still carries a strong 2.70 ERA through three September outings and has posted six strikeouts in two of his last three starts.

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• Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Another quality start in loss

  09/04/2024 • By RotoWire

  Francis (8-4) took the loss Wednesday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out six. While Francis ultimately took his first loss since Aug. 4, the right-hander turned in another strong effort against the Phillies. Francis allowed a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning and a two-run shot to Kody Clemens in the second before holding Philadelphia scoreless over his final four frames. The 28-year-old Francis had allowed just four runs over his previous five starts (34 innings) while posting a stellar 0.38 WHIP in that span. Overall, his ERA sits at 3.72 on the year with a 0.99 WHIP and 81:19 K:BB across 84.2 innings this year. Francis is currently slated to face the Mets at home in his next outing.

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• Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Flirts with no-hitter in win

  08/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Francis (7-3) earned the win against the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on one hit and three walks with 12 strikeouts over eight innings. Francis carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning before Taylor Ward ended his outing with a solo home run. Francis threw a career-high 117 pitches, including a ridiculous 84 strikes, and registered double-digit punchouts for the first time ever. The 28-year-old has now completed at least seven innings in three consecutive outings while yielding just five total hits and two earned runs in that span. On the year, he owns a 4.02 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 70:19 K:BB across 71.2 innings and will try to keep the good times rolling against the Red Sox next week.

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• Blue Jays' Bowden Francis: Stellar again in win

  08/18/2024 • By RotoWire

  Francis (6-3) allowed three hits and struck out seven without walking a batter over seven shutout innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Sunday. Joey Loperfido's second-inning home run was all the support Francis needed in this outing. Over his last three outings, Francis has allowed just three runs while posting a 22:1 K:BB across 19 innings. It's relatively newfound success for the 28-year-old, as he did little of note in the first half of the campaign. Francis is at a 4.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 58:16 K:BB across 63.2 innings over 21 appearances (seven starts) this season. He's projected for a favorable home start versus the Angels in his next appearance.

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