Game #86 Preview: Oswalt vs Stroman

After a big comeback win yesterday, the Blue Jays look to sweep the Mets out of town on their brief 2 game series. Today’s game starts at 7:07 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Marcus Stroman has looked very much like the good Marcus Stroman that we have come to love ever since returning from the DL. In those 2 starts, he has thrown 12 innings, allowing 2 runs on 10 hits, walking 1 and striking out 9. He has gotten an absurd 71.4% GB rate as well, which is helping to keep the ball in the yard, as he allowed just 1 home run over those 12 innings. And his last time out he managed to get his first win of the year.

Mets’ Starter

Rookie right hander Corey Oswalt is making his second career start after being shunted into the rotation last week when Noah Syndergaard wasn’t healthy enough to go. He struggled, allowing 6 runs on 6 hits, with 2 home runs and 2 walks.

Oswalt struggled for Las Vegas through his 47.1 innings in the AAA this year as well, although most pitchers do struggle there. Last season in AA he had a much better season, putting up a 2.28 ERA over 134.1 innings for the Rumble Ponies.

Oswalt throws a four seam fastball at 91 mph and a sinker at 90 mph, while also mixing in a curveball and change up. None appear to be exceptional pitches, but he has done a good job throughout the Minors throwing them for strikes.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Lourdes Gurriel had a big hit while getting the start at SS last night. I’m hoping they keep running him out there most nights, and wouldn’t be upset if the Jays give Aledmys Diaz a second day off to get in a good rest.

Granderson is likely in there at DH again against the righty, although he might get a start in the outfield to give someone out there a day off.

Mets’ Lineup

I don’t expect there to be too much of a difference from yesterday’s lineup. They might look to take advantage of the DH position and have someone instead of Wilmer Flores there, but that just might mean that Flores goes back out to 1B and Dominic Smith is the DH.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Rookie sensation Max Muncy went 3-4 with a pair of home runs to earn our Monster Bat award. His efforts helped the Dodgers to an 8-3 win over the Pirates.

Lourdes Gurriel is the surprising winner of the WPA King title. In a night of rather unclutchiness around the Majors, Gurriel was tops with his 8th inning home run helping to put up a .337 WPA total in the Jays’ 8-6 win.

Antonio Senzatela was the Pitcher of the Day. He went 7 shutout innings, striking out 4 and allowing just 3 hits and no walks as his Rockies beat the Giants 8-1 in Colorado.

Milestone Watch

Marcus Stroman is 2 wins back of Papa Buehrle for 19th in Franchise history at 40.

Kendrys Morales is 2 home runs short of 200 for his career.

Find the Link

Find the link between Oswalt and the man who was the 3rd out in John Valentin’s unassisted triple play.