The Moose is 16-7, 2.92 against Toronto lifetime, 2-0 already this year. Only Frank Catalanotto (.464 in 28 AB) has had any real success against him; Cat was 2-for-4 in the third game of the season, and had one of just three Jays hits on April 15, when Mussina was superb, striking out nine. If there's any hope for the boys in blue, it's that Mussina hasn't been as dominant in his last two starts as he was going 7-0 with a 1.70 ERA to start the campaign. Both Anaheim and Texas got to him for four runs, about the most the Jays can expect tonight.
On the mound for the good guys is Kelvim Escobar, making his second start since 2001. The failed closer lasted just three innings against the Royals, walking three, striking out three and allowing two hits. Because he goes so deep into counts, he required 61 pitches that night, and should be ready to stretch out to 80 or 85 tonight, if he's effective. The proud owner of a fastball that hits the upper 90s, an equally nasty slider, a devastating splitter and a back-breaking changeup, Kelvim likes to show them all to every batter. He will undoubtedly need help from the bullpen at some point tonight, and while Tanyon Sturtze might be the first man up, it's also likely we'll see Doug Creek at some point; the erratic lefty hasn't worked in a week.
If I sound pessimistic, it's because it's a mismatch, at least on paper. The only things in Toronto's favour are intangibles: they are one of baseball's hottest teams in May, especially at the plate, and had another fine game last night, so they should be confident. The Yankees have to be worried about their injured (or slumping) hitters and their shaky bullpen, not to mention their inconsistent defence. So nothing is guaranteed, and anything's possible. The Carlos Delgado who hit just .209 against Mussina with 20 strikeouts in 67 previous AB might not be the same guy who is currently destroying AL pitching. Escobar may pitch seven efficient innings.
With a win tonight, the Jays would really start to make the Yankees nervous. An inspired Cory Lidle might outpitch Boomer, and anybody can beat Jeff Weaver, even Doug Davis. The most ardent Toronto fans, a group to which I proudly belong, were hoping for a split in this series, so a sweep is highly unlikely, and it's probably New York's turn tonight. Like many of you, I'll be flipping between the hockey game on CBC and the ball game on Sportsnet.
On the mound for the good guys is Kelvim Escobar, making his second start since 2001. The failed closer lasted just three innings against the Royals, walking three, striking out three and allowing two hits. Because he goes so deep into counts, he required 61 pitches that night, and should be ready to stretch out to 80 or 85 tonight, if he's effective. The proud owner of a fastball that hits the upper 90s, an equally nasty slider, a devastating splitter and a back-breaking changeup, Kelvim likes to show them all to every batter. He will undoubtedly need help from the bullpen at some point tonight, and while Tanyon Sturtze might be the first man up, it's also likely we'll see Doug Creek at some point; the erratic lefty hasn't worked in a week.
If I sound pessimistic, it's because it's a mismatch, at least on paper. The only things in Toronto's favour are intangibles: they are one of baseball's hottest teams in May, especially at the plate, and had another fine game last night, so they should be confident. The Yankees have to be worried about their injured (or slumping) hitters and their shaky bullpen, not to mention their inconsistent defence. So nothing is guaranteed, and anything's possible. The Carlos Delgado who hit just .209 against Mussina with 20 strikeouts in 67 previous AB might not be the same guy who is currently destroying AL pitching. Escobar may pitch seven efficient innings.
With a win tonight, the Jays would really start to make the Yankees nervous. An inspired Cory Lidle might outpitch Boomer, and anybody can beat Jeff Weaver, even Doug Davis. The most ardent Toronto fans, a group to which I proudly belong, were hoping for a split in this series, so a sweep is highly unlikely, and it's probably New York's turn tonight. Like many of you, I'll be flipping between the hockey game on CBC and the ball game on Sportsnet.
