There is either a two game series with the Phillies starting tonight, or a four game series with the Phillies, depending on how you define a series. Some fans are depressed because the Jays are losing series. Others are optimistic because the Jays are only two games out of first place. No-one in the AL east has made a run yet this season.
Today makes the return of Happy McHapp to the starting rotation. Who knows what to expect? His return against the Phillies, in a park he used to pitch in, is probably a good thing for his comfort level. Dustin McGowan gave the bullpen a rest yesterday, let's hope Happ doesn't set that back today.
Some nuggets:
John Gibbons called all the bullpen into his office yesterday to give them a pep talk, he has confidence in them and knows they will get better.
Brooks baseball and baseball prospectus had a great chart on Sergio Santos' troubles this season. Hitters are hitting .000 off his slider but .550 off his fastball. You could think the answer is throw more sliders but he is already at 38% sliders which is high. Santos needs better FB command to get his confidence back.
Todays game features Kyle Kendrick against Happ. It could be a high scoring game but with baseball you don't always get what you expect.
Tuesdays matchup looks better on paper, Cole Hamels vs Drew Hutchison.
The same teams play Wednesday and Thursday at the RC. Mark Buehrle faces Cliff Lee on Wednesday and AJ Burnett pitches against RA Dickey on Thursday.
In other news Adam Lind is playing with Dunedin, he could be back by Friday. Casey Janssen starts tonight for New Hampshire, he could be back next week. Dioner Navarro can pinch hit tonight but probably won't catch until Wednesday at the earliest. Brett Lawrie is back at 2B tonight against the righthander. Tomorrow they face a lefty so he will be back at third.
Kevin Pillar was the player of the week in the IL last week, he is back in the picture for a call-up.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=2014050516132427