Saturday bantering

Victory times two!!

Im toasting yesterday’s victory over the Mariners with a glass of 16 yr old Longmorn scotch*.

(* it is night time here as i write this- im not having booze for breakfast)

There were so many positives from the game yesterday. Pillar returning to the team, Ryan Borucki, allowing one unearned run in eight innings for his first win, Randal Grichuk’s 4 hit game and Ken Giles remaining calm and reminding us why he is an excellent closer (hint: his slider is just filthy).

Altogether there was a lot to like in the 7-2 win. Read Matt W’s excellent recap here.

Ryan’s reward for the win: a lovely shower:

Mike Hauschild aka the Out Haus™ will get at least one start for the Jays. That opportunity will likely take place back at the Rogers Centre this week against the division-leading Red Sox.

It seems that losing yesterday’s game was bad for the Mariners’ Juan Nicasio, who has gone on the 10 day DL with knee inflammation. I heard it was actually a bruised ego...

Today’s game sees Marco Estrada (4-8, 4.90 ERA) go up against eagle whisperer James Paxton (9-4, 3.49 ERA). Estrada is 2-3 with a 3.90 ERA in five career starts against the Mariners. Paxton is 3-2 with a 4.71 in five starts against the Blue Jays, including the famous no-hitter May 8 in Toronto.

No news at AAA and AA as both the Buffalo and New Hampshire games were rained out yesterday.

On the plus side though, the Jays now rank as the number 5 farm system in MLB.

And this is worth a read: Rowdy Tellez is inspired by his mum’s battle with cancer.

Dropping like flies

It seems that changing teams at the deadline is bad for your health:

The Red Sox’s newly acquired Ian Kinsler has tweaked his hammy.

Two games after he joined the Rays from the Cardinals, Tommy Pham has fractured his foot.

Current Cardinal Dexter Fowler has also fractured his foot. Not only has his defense slipped this year but through 329 plate appearances this season, Fowler carries only a .175/.274/.295 slash with eight home runs. Im sure the Cards are thrilled they are going to be paying him $14.5m a year for the next 3 years...

Players of the Day

Justin Verlander was masterful, striking out 14 while allowing four hits and one walk in 7 2/3 innings to get career win No. 199 in the Astros’ 2-1 victory over the Dodgers.

With the Brewers down to their last out, Eric Thames (Epic Thumbs!) belts a walk-off three-run homer for a 5-3 win over the Rockies.

The A’s Ramon Laureano enjoys an MLB debut to remember with a crucial outfield assist and a walk-off knock for his first career hit in the 13th.

Play of the Day

They call 3B the hot corner. Why? Because Maikel Franco of the Phillies is on fire!

I’ll be back with more news on Monday. Have a great weekend everybody!