Wednesday, September 26 - Baltimore, Maryland
7:05 PM (EDT)
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Toronto Blue Jays Reed Johnson rf Matt Stairs 1b Alexis Rios cf Frank Thomas dh Aaron Hill 2b Greg Zaun c Adam Lind lf Russ Adams 3b John McDonald ss Pitching: Doc Halladay, RHP |
Baltimore Orioles Brian Roberts 2b Melvin Mora dh Nick Markakis rf Miguel Tejada 3b Kevin Millar 1b Ramon Hernandez c Scott Moore 3b Jay Payton lf Tyke Redman cf Pitching: Victor Zambrano, RHP |
Doc makes his last start of the season tonight against old "friend" Victor Zambrano as the Jays look to take another one from the O's. The hitting turned it on last night, and hopefully the bats will be out tonight again. Zambrano often has trouble finding the plate, so let's look to take some pitches.
This is the last turn through the rotation (Banks will get tomorrow's start against his hometown team in lieu of Marcum, who went under the knife today for knee surgery) and then we have to try to make sense of this season. That could take us straight into spring training, but hopefully we'll have plenty of time to discuss what we should do for next season.
To get y'all started, here's rotoworld's take on the AL's projected rosters. Doesn't look like there will be many changes for the Jays, but I'm hoping that J.P. is being at least a little coy and does plan to at least tinker to add depth. Luckily, we here at the Banter have a lot more ideas than Rotoworld did for the Jays.
In other news, Vernon Wells and Lyle Overbay underwent successful surgery, Wells to repair a partially torn labrum and Overbay to remove the screws that were placed in his hand when a John Danks fastball broke it. Wells' cyst was left alone as it was close to some nerves and didn't seem to be the cause of any problems. Wells is expected to be back to full strength by Spring Training easily, as is Lyle, who apparently had a lot of scar tissue, which explains some of the pain he's been feeling.
Finally, Jays hitting coach Mickey Brantley will not be asked to return next season. Many think this is part of a larger shakeup which will also claim Big Ern. While I'm sure it is not Brantley's fault so many Jays have underachieved offensively, he certainly didn't appear to do anything to help any of our boys break out of their extended funks. I can't recall any Jays noting receiving significant help from Brantley, and certainly the lackluster performance of young Adam Lind was a singificant part of their decision.