Fans of the late, great Antonio Prohias will surely remember his classic Spy vs. Spy features in Mad Magazine, back when it was a great publication rather than a bad SNL ripoff. Although there won't be any trick missiles, hidden pistols or remote-controlled-dressed-up-as-a-lady explosive devices in tonight's game, this is still a classic matchup: Roy Halladay versus Pedro Martinez, the young gunslinger up against the old master. The pitching duel alone makes this one a must-see game. But there's more to it than that.
For the Red Sox, as pointed out in our excellent Guest Preview by Tim Daloiso of Red Sox Times, the Bostonians are coming off a stirring series victory over the loathed Yankees, and must guard against the inevitable letdown that comes from facing a less threatening opponent, not to mention going from raucous Fenway to the funereal Skydome. The Red Sox must be thrilled to be as competitive as they have been without Nomar, Trot and B.K, but that stretch of good fortune could end at any time. They also must recognize, if only to themselves, that they're facing a dangerous opponent tonight.
For the Blue Jays, this isn't funny anymore. Winless in six tries at home and 3-9 on the young season, even this upbeat young club has to be feeling the first gnawings of desperation. There's no such thing as a must-win series in April (have we said that already this year?), but the Jays at the very least cannot afford to be swept at home again, or even the ADD-afflicted Toronto fans (most of whom will be cheering and groaning throughout the game as the dispatches from the Air Canada Centre roll in) will take notice. Most observers agree that the Jays are a Carlos Delgado swing away from busting out of this increasingly ugly slump, but who knows what it will take -- a fastball too far up and in on a Blue Jay hitter crowding the plate?
This ballclub is overdue for an explosion, and while it could happen tonight, the odds aren't great: Pedro is still Pedro, no matter his early-season struggles, and the Jays have fashioned a recent history of terrible performances in front of large crowds (which, thanks to the heavily hyped pitching matchup and the $2 tickets, and despite Game 7, should be the case tonight). Look and listen for the Cheer Club and the Bauxite Brigade on the 500-level -- if the game goes poorly, they may be all you hear at the Dome -- and cross your fingers that this streak will send sooner rather than later, and who knows? Maybe even on Cy Young Night in Toronto.
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