Game #97 Preview: Cobb vs Stroman

After a more frustrating win than it should have been last night, the Jays get right back to it early this afternoon. Today’s game gets underway at 1:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Marcus Stroman heads to the mound, looking to put the stupidity that is currently surrounding him behind him, while also looking to build on the overall strong work that he has done since returning from the DL. Since returning on June 23 from his shoulder problems, Stroman has made 5 starts and thrown 28.2 innings. He has a 3.45 ERA with a 3.96 FIP, based on the good work he is doing both limiting walks (2.51 per 9 innings) and home runs (0.94 per 9 innings). These are a far cry from his early season struggles when those numbers were 4.34 and 1.21 over his first 7 games before taking a month and a half off with shoulder issues.

Orioles’ Starter

The prize of the Orioles’ offseason, Alex Cobb gets the start today. And like everyone else in Baltimore this year, Cobb is doing poorly. Through his first 17 starts, the 30 year old right hander is 2-12 with a 6.41 ERA, allowing home runs like he’s pitching at the All Star Game. He is a few innings short from being a qualified starter, but if we scale back the requirement to 90 innings pitched this year, his 1.65 HR/9 is tied for the 7th worst in baseball.

Cobb has faced the Jays just once so far this season, on June 10 in Toronto. In that game, he allowed 9 runs on 11 hits, while walking just one over 3.2 innings. He gave up home runs to Morales and Granderson in that one, and the Jays went on to win 13-2 thanks to Granderson’s 6 RBI effort.

Lineups

Randal Grichuk moves up in the order to a more appropriate spot. And Luke Maile gets the start behind the plate in the day game after a night game.

Danny Valencia is on the bench for the Orioles after getting the start in RF yesterday. And Caleb Joseph hits the bench in lieu of Austin Wynns.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Matt Carpenter had a day to remember yesterday. By the time the bottom of the 6th rolled around and he was substituted for defensively, he had already gone 5-5 with 3 home runs and a pair of doubles. His efforts easily earn him the Monster Bat award in the Cardinals 18-5 shellacking of the Cubs.

Aledmys Diaz, with his early go ahead homer, and more importantly the walk off single, earned the WPA King award with an impressive .658 WPA in the Jays’ 8-7 win over the Orioles.

Dallas Keuchel earned the Pitcher of the Day award last night. He took a no-hitter into the 7th, and ultimately allowed just 1 run on 2 hits and a walk over 7.2 innings. The Astros ended up beating the Angels 3-1 behind Keuchel’s efforts.

Milestone Watch

Aaron Loup still sits 2 relief appearances behind Paul Quantrill for 5th all time as a Blue Jay. He better hurry up and get those before he is traded.

Find the Link

Find the link between Cobb and Warren Spahn.