Well this isn't the first time we have faced Tampa Bay this year but this really is the tipping point in our season. We are set to go for 9 games in a grueling part of the schedule where we face Tampa 6 times and the Yanks for 3 before taking on our interleague schedule. If we can make it through this stretch of games it will go a long way in getting people to think differently about us.
I am going to channel my inner broadcaster and let you know the keys to victory. To win these games and take the series the Jays are going to need good pitching and good hitting. They need to make sure Morrow doesn't walk a lot in his start and then need to be aggressive with the Rays pitchers because they are going to throw strikes. Bottom line we need to hold back the Rays offense because if they score more runs then us then we are going to lose.... How was that? I figure if I keep spitting out gems like this it will be no time before RSN hires me to sit next to Buck and say whatever random thought pops into my mind.
Today on the mound it could either be a well pitched game or a groaner. We have Morrow taking on Garza and with the exception of earlier this year Garza has simply owned the Jays. So if Morrow gets wild tonight we could be in for a long one.
As for the lineups there is only one change and I think it is a good move. Molina is behind the plate for Buck. That same Molina that threw out 5 attempted steals last time we faced the Rays including Crawford and Upton twice each. Even if nothing happens I bet the Rays will remember who is behind the plate and will not push their luck as much as they normally would. And even just giving them pause in their running game helps out a ton.
To accommodate Molina into the order, Edwin Encarnacion moves up to 8th and Molina drops down to 9th. Nothing else in the lineup changes as we send out the same order that we have in the O's series.
Tune in after the jump for Series info and Lineups.
Current Series
3 game series vs Rays @ Rogers Centre
Tampa Bay Rays Monday, May 31, 2010, 7:07 PM EDT Matt Garza vs Brandon Morrow Partly cloudy,rain. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. Complete Coverage > | ||
| Tue 06/01 | 7:07 PM EDT | |
| Wed 06/02 | 7:07 PM EDT | |
Keep the comments Civil and Go Jays Go!
Today's title comes from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.