Two games to recap today: some of the team made the trip to Fort Myers for a match-up against the Red Sox, while the others stuck around Dunedin to host the Rays.
Blue Jays 2, Red Sox 3
Brett Cecil had a great outing today going 5 innings, allowing only 2 hits, no earned runs. He also racked up 4 strikeouts. He faced a lineup that featured Marco Scutaro, Mike Lowell, Youkilis, Ortiz and J.D. Drew so a lot of regulars in there.
Edwin Encarnacion, in his second game of the spring (he missed the first few weeks with a sore wrist), went 0 for 2 with a walk and a strikeout.
Vernon Wells and Travis Snider both went 0 for 3.
Blue Jays 10, Rays 14
Well, as you can tell from the score, not a very well-pitched game. Shaun Marcum got lit up for 9 earned runs (WHAA??) over 5 innings. He gave up two-run homers to Evan “Don’t Call Me Eva” Longoria and B.J. Upton. Maybe it’s good that he got this meltdown out of his system before the real games start…
On the positive side, Aaron Hill continued to swing a hot bat going 3 for 4 with a double and a stolen base. He’s now batting .417 this spring. I know spring training games don’t mean anything, but is everyone still sure that he won’t repeat his 2010 numbers? ZiPS projection at fangraphs has Aaron hitting .275, 19 HR, 73 RBI in 2010. Hmm… I guess we’ll see, but Aaron’s had a great spring.
Michael McDade, fresh off a game-tying and game-winning hit a few days ago, went 3 for 5.
J Bau went 0 for 4 against right handed pitching today. We’re going to see a lot of that this season.
Other News:
Lyle Overbay suffered what is being described as a “left knee contusion”. Jordan Bastian tweeted that he’s day-to-day. Love the way Drunk Jays Fans reported it: “Lyle Overbay Injured, Retards Rejoice”. They’re right: even if you’re a zealous Randy Ruiz supporter, the Jays will probably be looking to trade Overbay at some point in the season, and the better he plays, the higher his trade value. Plus, Overbay has quietly been one of the Jays’ steadiest producers at the plate (.372 OBP in 2009).
Brandon Morrow said he “felt good” after his bullpen session today. He claims he’ll be ready to start the season as a member of the rotation and not the disabled list. He’s slated to pitch a minor league game on Monday, followed by a five inning spring training start 8 days from now (April 3rd).
The news is not as good for Dustin McGowan. He hasn’t shown much improvement since getting shutdown for a week due to “dead arm”, so they’re giving him some more time to rest. Cito announced today that he will get two more weeks off before starting to throw again. I’m trying to stay positive, but … damn. I really hope we see him pitch at an elite level this season; it would be a great story considering all of the set-backs and obstacles he’s faced in the last two years.
OPENING DAY IS 10 DAYS AWAY!
Could someone tell me again why Cecil won't be our fifth starter?
ReplyDeleteBecause Cito loves Tallet hahaha. Why did Kevin Millar take at-bats away from Randy Ruiz last year?
ReplyDeleteAt least Cecil will be lurking in the shadows as a member of the bullpen. Tallet hasn't had a great spring.
I hadn't heard Cecil would be in the pen. I'd rather have him in AAA getting regular starts then wasting service time in the pen, and we have more then enough guys who can take care of the pen without Cecil there.
ReplyDeleteYou're right actually- I don't think they're planning on putting him in the pen. I was thinking of David Purcey.
ReplyDeleteYa, I think the only way Cecil makes the team is if Brandon Morrow starts the season on the DL. And he would still have to compete against Eveland for the spot.
When you think about it, Cecil could be put on the trade block at some point. If Kyle Drabek and Zach Stewart work their way through the system, and Morrow proves to be a keeper in the rotation, then he could be deemed expendable. This is especially true if McGowan is able to come back.