GO JAYS GO! 2012 Home Opener GameThread - Red Sox @ Blue Jays

As you are reading this, please play this in the background.

Blue Jays baseball is back in Toronto, baby!

I wrote that in big type just in case you didn't feel excited enough about tonight's Home Opener. I would've done it with flashing effects with fireworks and Brett Lawries coming out of it if I knew how.

Tonight, at 7:30ish (to account for opening ceremonies), the Toronto Blue Jays (2-1) in their brand new home whites will face off against the Boston Red Sox (0-3). Toronto is coming home after an exciting season opening series against the Cleveland Indians and will be facing a Red Sox team that is facing a lot of media and fan scrutiny already for their slow start. A quick look at the Boston Globe's website reveals articles titled "Panic Button Time For Bobby V, Red Sox", "The Smackdowns Are Getting Worse", and "For Starters, This Defeat Looked A Lot Like September." Let's help increase the income of Boston-area therapists by cheering on the Jays to extend the Red Sox' losing streak the next three games. For what it's worth (not very much), ESPN's AccuScore projects the Blue Jays as the favourites, and they forecast a 35% chance of a Jose Bautista bomb.

As I wrote up in the Pre-GameThread, tonight we will be seeing a battle of young pitchers from Carabobo, Venezuela. Henderson Alvarez, 21, will become the youngest pitcher to ever start a Home Opener for the Jays and will be against a formidable Red Sox lineup, which scored 12 runs in defeat yesterday afternoon. Facing an altered Jays starting lineup--which features Edwin Encarancion in cleanup and Rajai Davis in place of Eric Thames--is 24-year old southpaw Felix Doubront. It should be a good one.

I am now at the Rogers Centre, in section 512, row 17. I'll pop in and out of the GameThread whenever I can. If you really care about my live comments and pictures, consider following me on Twitter: @Minor_Leaguer.

Reminder of a few ground rules for the gamethreads that are in effect.

1. Please no GIFs or large 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 multiple 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).
3. No linking to any illegal live streams.
4. A batted ball that bounces into the stands after striking a moderator in fair territory will be considered a ground rule double.

Pitching Matchup

Felix Doubront

#61 / Pitcher / Boston Red Sox

Height: 6-2

Weight: 165

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Oct 23, 1987

VERSUS

Henderson Alvarez

#37 / Pitcher / Toronto Blue Jays

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Apr 18, 1990

Full lineups after the jump!

Starting Lineups

Boston Red Sox

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. David Ortiz DH
6. Cody Ross LF
7. Ryan Sweeney RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Mike Aviles SS

Toronto Blue Jays

1. Yunel Escobar SS
2. Kelly Johnson 2B
3. Jose Bautista RF
4. Edwin Encarnacion DF
5. Adam Lind 1B
6. Brett Lawrie 3B
7. Rajai Davis LF
8. J.P. Arencibia C
9. Colby Rasmus CF

It's time to PLAY BALL!