:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60507133/143313730.0.0.jpg)
Good news everyone! After a sweep of the Kansas City Royals the Jays are currently sitting in first place with a record of 10-6 and tied with the Yankees. While the Royals aren't exactly world beaters at the moment, this may have been exactly what the Jays need to get that ol swagger back that everyone was raving about in Spring Training. Its not like the Jays have been bad, but then they obviously haven't been playing to potential yet either.
This is the second time so far on the short season that the Jays have faced the Orioles. In fact both pitchers have already seen the other team this season. Alvarez went 7 innings with 6hits 1BB 2Ks and 3ER against the O's the last time out (April 14th), Alvarez got the no-decision. Tommy Hunter also faced the Jays in that series, he earned a no decision by going 6IP 6Hs 5R (4ER) with 2BB and 2K's. In that game of the 6 hits that Hunter surrendered 4 of them left the park. Escobar, Johnson, Encarnacion and Rasmus all left the park that day. Let's hope the bats can do that again.
The news broke today that Santos is going to be out probably for at least 4 weeks. The good news is that there was no structure damage in the shoulder so the initial diagnosis of inflammation looks to be the case. This means that Cordero is going to be the capital 'C' Closer for the next bit. The more interesting part is how the innings leading up to the ninth will shake out. Janssen, Frasor and Oliver will all likely see time in the ninth. A wild card in the whole thing may be Perez who has looked pretty fantastic in his outings so far this year.
Earlier this month the Orioles took 2 of 3 from the Jays. I think it served as a bit of a wake up call to a lot of the fanbase (and maybe even the Jays themselves) that any team in baseball can win if you aren't on your game. The Jays are on a roll at the moment and the schedule is currently in their favour. They need to take advantage when they can.
On the lineup side, J.P. Arencibia gets the day off with Mathis taking over the catching duties and batting ninth. The rest of the regulars are all present in the lineup although they are a bit shuffled around in the bottom half.
After the jump for series info and full lineups
Current Series
3 game series vs Orioles @ Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, Apr 24, 2012, 7:05 PM EDT Henderson Alvarez vs Tommy Hunter Mostly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 60.
Complete Coverage > | ||
| Wed 04/25 | 7:05 PM EDT | |
| Thu 04/26 | 7:05 PM EDT | |
| 7:05pm Blue Jays (H. Alvarez - R) @ Orioles (T. Hunter - R) | |||
Ground rules in effect
Reminder a few ground rules for the gamethreads that are in effect.
1. Please no Gifs or images during the game threads. The threads go by quick and with a lot of people tend to slow down for people. We understand it isn't as bad for people already in the thread but anyone new coming in has a nightmare of a time loading mutliple images. --- As a side note as the game end we will lift the ban and you can go as crazy as you like.
2. Don't argue with any of the moderators. Think of it like arguing balls and strikes, you can get tossed. If you have a problem with the rules feel free to e-mail either Tom or myself (our e-mail is at the bottom of the page). Rules link
3. No linking to any illegal streams