The Jays take on Tampa Bay for a rare Friday to Monday, four game series. This series will survive hurricane Irene while other east coast series are being rearranged to avoid hurricane-outs.
DeWayne Wise has been claimed by the Jays on waivers to fill the CF hole. Colby Rasmus will go on the DL tomorrow. I guess Wise rated higher than Darin Mastroianni who has been left to his major league memories in Las Vegas. But seriously bball12 might have a point here, why didn't the Jays recall Mastro? It is not a vote of confidence in Mastro.
John Farrell is on the one day DL, he has been diagnosed with pneumonia. Under doctors orders Farrell will miss today's game and will probably be back tomorrow, but like all of us, he is day-to-day. Don Wakamatsu is in charge tonight.
A few days ago Farrell thought this team could win 88 games, I hope that doesn't mean the Jays play all the veterans in September to pad the team's record.
This is the start of twenty two straight games against the AL East. With the addition of Kelly Johnson, this could be the 2012 lineup that the Jays are sending out against their rivals (note: when Rasmus is healthy). Will they measure up? The Jays face James Shields, Jeremy Hellickson and David Price over the next three days and the Rays are ahead of the Jays so it's time for the Jays to show they can compete.
Or do these next 22 games matter? Does this year send a message or is it meaningless? What will you look for?
On the pitching side Henderson Alvarez and Luis Perez, plus some of the relievers, will get a chance to show their mettle against the AL East. AA will be watching carefully over the next few weeks to see who he can count on for next year.
On another note Travis d'Arnaud has been named player of the year in the Eastern League and Sal Fasano has been named manager of the year. More honours piling up for the Jays system.
EDIT: Shi Davidi says that Wise was signed to first, reward him for playing in Las Vegas earlier in the season and not complaining when other players were called up. And, secondly, to be a veteran bench presence now that John McDonald is gone.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20110826173550643