Last Wednesday, I wasn't sure the pitching matchup at SkyDome would be a classic, mostly because of Kelvim Escobar's inconsistency at home. He wasn't bad, pitching into the seventh inning, and leaving a 3-3 tie in the capable hands of Jason Kershner (who got the W) and closer Aquilino Lopez.
Mike Mussina is a great pitcher, but the Jays made him work very hard last week -- 122 pitches in six innings -- so he didn't figure in the decision. Though he's 16-9 with a 3.08 ERA in his career against Toronto, he's been less dominant in 2003 -- 2-2, 3.82 in five previous starts. In Yankee Stadium, Moose shut them out on three hits in April, then the Jays prevailed May 23 behind Escobar, making just his second start of the year.
Familiarity is often an advantage to the hitters in these situations, but both pitchers have such great stuff, they aren't easy to hit even when you know what's coming. Today could be an even better duel.
There are no surprises in the lineup. LF Frank Catalanotto, on fire lately, leads off. Reed Johnson gets a rest against the nasty righty; RF Bobby Kielty bats eighth. C Greg Myers has four singles and two walks in 12 PA vs. Mussina this year. DH Josh Phelps has struck out six times in 12 AB, but has a double and a homer. Mike Bordick will be at SS, batting second. For the Yankees, as the Advance Scout predicted, Posada sits, with John Flaherty catching. Mike D also guessed right on Jason Giambi, who is the DH, despite a N.Y. Daily News report that he would be rested.
This makeup game means plenty to the Yankees, as they try to hold off the Red Sox for the division title. From the Jays' perspective, it's about bragging rights; the season series is at stake. It's also a chance to build on the momentum of a weekend sweep, three straight series wins and a 7-2 record in their last nine. A Jays victory would put them at 73-70 with 19 games remaining -- seven with those pesky D-Rays, six vs. the Orioles, three each against the Tigers and Indians. It's reasonable to expect they could finish 12-7 and reach the 85-win goal set in spring training by Carlos Tosca.
Whether you're following on radio, TV or the Internet, enjoy the game.
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