Toronto Blue Jays (3-1) at Cleveland Indians (0-3)
Progressive Field; Cleveland, OH
Dates/Times (EST): 4/10 4:05 PM, 4/11 1:05 PM, 4/12 1:05 PM
TV/Radio: 4/10 WKYC/3; 4/11,12 STO (HD)/WTAM 1100 AM
Well, not much has changed in the win column since the last preview. A few ERAs are higher, and the team is hoping to have a starting pitcher make it at least six innings this time around. The home opener is always special, and will likely be in front of a sellout crowd – weather permitting. Last year, we watched C.C. Sabathia struggle; this time around, young Scott Lewis gets the nod.
Toronto is coming off of a solid series against the Detroit Tigers, which is something that we should all be perfectly alright with. However, we need that success to come to a grinding hault as we play host to America’s Hat. The two day games this weekend should be exciting to watch if only for the pitching matchups. You can bet that Roy Halladay has something to prove after losing out on last year’s Cy Young award despite a very successful season. Anthony Reyes gets his first start since a solid spring training and meets Blue Jay up-and-comer David Purcey on Sunday. He’ll likely have the nicest of the days, as we might hit 50 degrees. Wooo for spring baseball!
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Probable Pitchers:
4/10 – Scott Lewis (0-0) v. Scott Richmond (0-0)
4/11 – Cliff Lee (0-1, 12.60) v. Roy Halladay (1-0, 6.43)
4/12 – Anthony Reyes (0-0) v. David Purcey (0-0, 2.57)
| Cleveland | Toronto |
| Grady Sizemore, CF | Marco Scutaro, SS |
| Mark DeRosa, 3B | Aaron Hill, 2B |
| Victor Martinez, C | Alex Rios, RF |
| Travis Hafner, DH | Vernon Wells, CF |
| Jhonny Peralta, SS | Adam Lind, DH |
| Shin-Soo Choo, RF | Scott Rolen, 3B |
| Ryan Garko, 1B | Lyle Overbay, 1B |
| Ben Francisco, LF | Rod Barajas, C |
| Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B | Travis Snyder, LF |
News and Notes:
- Though still four-to-six weeks away, the Indians receieved good news that Jamey Carroll will not need surgery to repair his fractured hand.
- Everyone’s favorite pitching prospect Adam Miller will throw a 35-pitch bullpen session today. Assuming things go well, he’ll then toss some batting practice next week. Then again, it isn’t exactly safe to assume that things will go well with Miller.
- While the big league squad is not doing well at all, the minor league teams are playing exceptionally well. Hector Rondon fanned six in his first 5 and 2/3 innings for Akron. Carlos Santana wasted no time in hitting his first home run of the season and driving in four during the season opener. The Columbus Clippers put up 12 runs in their opener yesterday. Michael Brantley and Matt LaPorta each went 3-for-5 with LaPorta hitting his first home run of the young season. David Huff struck out five in five innings, earning his first win of the year.
- Toronto outfielder Alex Rios recently took a baseball off of his head while playing in the outfield. A line drive careened off of the wall and planted into the right side of his head. Thankfully for Rios and the Jays, he’s alright and is expected to suit up this weekend.
- Designated hitter Adam Lind opened up the season with a six-RBI game. Yesterday, he went 3-for-4 with a solo home run. He’s currently slated to bat fifth, but it would not surprise me if the jays opted to put him in front of Vernon Wells given the way that the Tribe pitching has been sub par. And yes, I’m being kind.
From the Outside Looking In:
Drunk Jays Fans
Sports and the City
The Tao of Stieb
Bluebird Banter
Next Up:
4/13 – 4/15 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City
