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The Blue Jays are in Oakland to play in the stadium most MLB players said was their least favorite place to play. They will face the Athletics at a less than ideal time, as they have gone on a lengthy hot streak and are now two games behind the Mariners for the second wild card spot. They have even acted as buyers so far this year, trading for Jeurys Familia from the Mets.
John Gibbons seems to be a bit mystified as to why Lourdes Gurriel couldn’t at least share “Player of the Week”
Gibby: How can Gurriel not be Player of the Week? At least co-player with Schoop. He’s playing with history now, the guys he’s tied or passing are some of the greatest hitters ever. I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t describe it. #Bluejays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) July 31, 2018
Here is Gibbons on Ken Giles:
More Gibbons on Giles: "I don't know what happened down there but we've had a lot of guys who have really come into their own once they've come to this team. Hopefully that happens here. It'll be a new start for him too, which I'm sure he needs." #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) July 31, 2018
and Gibbons on Osuna:
... I hope he gets his life together so he doesn't have to deal with all the BS and chaos, that he enjoys his life and goes on to have a great career like I think he will. But more importantly, that his life is good and all the other people involved. That's what I worry about."
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) July 31, 2018
Tonight is Marco Estrada’s first start back from the DL. The Blue Jays were surely looking to trade him prior to his injury. I’m not sure a strong start tonight would be enough to keep that possibility alive.
To make room for Marco on the roster, Oliver Drake was DFA’d.
Here are the lineups for tonight. For some reason, Justin Smoak is sitting out to get both Martin and Maile in there (strange). Morales plays first, Martin plays third, Drury will play second and Solarte will DH. Martin will bat second, and Grichuk third, for some reason.
GO JAYS GO!
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