Game #94 Preview: Gaviglio vs Rodriguez

After a wild and eventual big win last night, the Jays are right back at it early this afternoon. The game gets underway at 1:05 ET in Red Sox land.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Sam Gaviglio is making the start on super short rest. He last pitched on Wednesday where the Braves beat the crap out of him, scoring 6 runs on 6 hits in 1.2 innings. He didn’t allow a walk or record a strikeout, so the destruction was quick as he threw just 48 pitches. Because of the light work load, Gibby has decided to bring him back on short rest and see what the Jays can get out of him in Boston.

To back up a likely short start from Gaviglio and reinforce a short bullpen, the Jays have optioned Ryan Borucki and called up Chris Rowley (and transferred Rhiner Cruz to the 60 day DL). Borucki won’t be gone long, as the Blue Jays are taking advantage of the All Star Break and the 10 day option window to make optimal use of their roster - the opposite of the Estrada situation.

Red Sox Starter

Left hander Eduardo Rodriguez makes his 19th start of the season for the Red Sox. He’s 11-3 with a 3.62 ERA, striking out 105 batters in 99.1 innings, while only surrendering 32 walks and 12 home runs. That has all turned around to a 3.68 FIP, right in line with his ERA.

The Blue Jays have faced Rodriguez twice this season, and both times he went 6.2 innings, his two longest starts of the year. They have scored a total of 5 runs on 9 hits, striking out 10 times. Yangervis Solarte and Teoscar Hernadez have home runs off him.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Teoscar Hernandez returns after taking his barking heel to the dog bark and letting it burn off some energy.

Lourdes Gurriel gets the start at 2B today, and gets bumped up to the leadoff spot.

Justin Smoak is back in the field after getting the day at DH yesterday. I was hoping he’d just DH today and tomorrow, and then rest up for 4 days. He isn’t looking healthy.

Luke Maile gets the start behind the plate.

Red Sox Lineup

Blake Swihart gets the start at 1B. Not sure where Moreland is.

Tzu-Wei Lin gets the start at 3B, his first since being recalled, while Eduardo Nunez is at DH.

This is probably the weakest lineup the Red Sox could throw at us, and it still looks pretty decent, although any lineup with Betts, Martinez and Bogaerts is going to look pretty decent.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Justin Smoak was the Monster Bat last night. Not very often does a Blue Jay win this award, but he went 3-5 with a walk, a pair of home runs and an RBI single. And the Jays won 13-7!

Jake Arrieta takes home Pitcher of the Day and WPA King from last night. He threw 7 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out just 3. His efforts led to a .494 WPA and a 2-0 for the Phillies over the Marlins.

Milestone Watch

Aaron Loup is now just 3 relief appearances back of Paul Quantrill for 5th in Blue Jays’ history.

Aledmys Diaz will get to 1000 career plate appearances if he gets 4 today.

Find the Link

Find the link between Rodriguez and the guy that is 5-20 with 3 walks off him.