The Jays put together a strong effort yesterday, using a gutsy performance from Marc Rzepczynski, some timely hitting, and a strong showing by the bullpen to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2. The Jays can take the series with a win today, but they will have to contend with a better pitcher in Jon Lester. Lester is only 8-6 but he has done a lot of things right on the mound, posting incredible K numbers and limiting walks. He has given up a few too many home runs but mostly is just getting victimized by lousy defense (a 3.21 Fielding Independent ERA as compared to a 3.87 ERA) and bad luck.
The Jays, of course, have a great pitcher of their own on the mound. Doc Halladay hasn't quite been the same since returning from his groin injury, but it's mostly just been a matter of location (he has left more pitches up in the zone than usual) so it's hard to be too concerned with that after a layoff. And of course he hasn't been bad, just human, which for Roy is toward the lower end of what we've come to expect.
As for lineups, Vernon Wells continues to miss time with a stomach bug, meaning we are once again treated to Jose Bautista in right field. Kevin Millar DHes against the lefty hurler.
Today's title of course references the Doc trade rumours - Jays' fans aren't going to get some blowout incredible deal from trading Doc, are they? - and comes from the Strokes' song "Is This It?" With each Doc start from now until the trade deadline and then again at the end of the season, I'll be hoping this isn't it.