Game #101 Preview: Waguespack vs Alexander

While the Blue Jays wrap up their series with the Tigers this afternoon, there is also another very significant moment happening related to the Blue Jays. Former great Roy Halladay will be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame later this afternoon, a ceremony both Tom and Minor Leaguer get to enjoy in person (among thousands of other fans). You can watch it all live on MLB.com, with the pre-induction ceremony already underway. The actual ceremony kicks off at 1:30 ET.

If you’re still interested in the Blue Jays baseball game that is going on this afternoon, I’ve got your preview right here. The Blue Jays will try for their first sweep since they swept the Athletics at the end of April. The game gets underway at 1:10 ET.

Blue Jays’ Starter

Rookie Jacob Waguespack will make his second career start for the Jays this afternoon. Waguespack, who came over at last year’s trade deadline from the Phillies for Aaron Loup, got knocked around a bit by the Red Sox in his first career start this past Tuesday. I’m sure he’s excited to play a non-Red Sox team, as 2 of his only 3 Major League appearances have come against the Red Sox. In those 2 outings, he allowed 7 runs on 12 hits over 9.2 innings, striking out 6 while walking 3 and giving up a pair of home runs. His other outing, a bulk guy role against the Orioles, he made it through 4 innings while giving up a pair of earned runs on 3 hits and a walk while striking out a very impressive 7. We’ll hope for more of that kind of performance today.

Tigers’ Starter

The Tigers will go with an inexperienced rookie of their own, as they send out Tyler Alexander to make his second career start. The left handed Alexander was once one of Detroit’s top prospects, but that luster wore off as he struggled his way through AA over 3 attempts at it. But he broke through that ceiling eventually, and he made his Major League debut on July 3 against the White Sox. In that one, he made it through 5 innings while allowing a pair of runs on 5 hits. He struck out 4 and didn’t walk anyone, but the two runs did score on a pair of solo home runs. He didn’t earn a decision in that game, so he is still out searching for his first career win.

Blue Jays’ Lineup

Brandon Drury, after his home run and a couple other hard hit balls, gets the start at 3B today. That pushes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who also hit a home run last night in case you didn’t hear, to the DH spot.

Cavan Biggio is on the bench again, his second day off on the road trip.

Luke Maile heads back behind the plate, giving Danny Jansen the night off in preparation of catching his best friend tomorrow!

Tigers’ Lineup

Nicholas Castellanos takes his poor defense and great hitting to the DH spot, as Miguel Cabrera gets the afternoon off.

Bobby Wilson gets his first start behind the plate in this series, giving John Hicks the afternoon off.

Gordon Beckham will make his first start of the series as well at second base, which pushes some other players around. Harold Castro will go from second to right field, while Niko Goodrum will play his 3rd different position of the series, moving in to shortstop.

Yesterday’s Heroes

Anthony Santander went 4-5 with a home run, triple and pair of singles, earning the Monster Bat award. However, he couldn’t pitch, and the Orioles lost 17-6 to the Red Sox.

Avisail Garcia broke a scoreless tie in the 7th inning with a home run, and also drew a walk in the 9th and 11th innings, putting an important runner on base. But unfortunately for him, his WPA King total of .485 wasn’t enough to help carry the Rays, as they lost to the White Sox 2-1 in 11 innings.

Six different starters yesterday made it through at least 6 innings while allowing 1 or 0 runs on 2 hits. We’ll give the Pitcher of the Day award to Jose Urquidy, partly because I have never heard of him before, and partly because he made it through 7 innings of 1 run ball, allowing the 2 hits while walking none and striking out 7. He earned his first career win in this his third career start, as the Astros beat the visiting Rangers 6-1.

Find the Link

Find the link between Alexander and Joe Ausanio.

Stats are courtesy of Fangraphs