Sunday, July 1, 2018

#83 - Detroit Tigers (36-48) at Toronto Blue Jays (39-43)


Sunday, July 1, 2018 | 1:07 pm
Rogers Sauna | Toronto, ON
Jordan Zimmermann (0-0, 4.35, 1.21 whip) vs. J.A. Happ (10-3, 3.62, 1.06 whip)


PREAMBLE:

I know it's the Tigers in the throes of a long losing streak but the Jays needed these past two wins to help get over the shock of a walk-off meatball given up by the newly-DLed Ryan Tepera.

The Jays go for their third win of the series against the Tigers and they send up their ace, J.A. Happ, to continue to build up his trade value. It'd have been fitting if his bobblehead day was today instead of tomorrow.


NOTES:

Happy birthday to Aaron Sanchez. Hard to believe he's already 26.

Jake Petricka has been called up to take Ryan Tepera's spot after the latter went onto the DL.

Remember yesterday when I commented that a Reds pitcher (DeSclafani) hit a grand slam one day and another (Lorenzen) hit a pinch-hit HR the next day?  Well, add another wrinkle to that story, as Lorenzen came in last night and drilled a PH grand slam. #PitchersWhoRake

Bartolo Colon became the first 45-year-old to face the Chicago White Sox since Nolan Ryan did so in the game where he had Robin Ventura in a headlock and fed him knuckle sandwiches.

Not much else to report on for now as it's bloody hot outside and people are in a Canada Day trade-war fightin' mood.  A good baseball game is what we need to take our minds off the sheer incompetence of Orange Cheeto. Play ball!  And try not to melt.


LINEUPS:

Tigers:
CF Martin
RF Castellanos
3B Candelario
1B Hicks
DH Martinez
C McCann
2B Goodrum
SS Iglesias
LF Jones

Jays:
DH Granderson
LF Hernandez
3B Solarte
1B Smoak
CF Pillar
C Martin
RF Grichuk
SS Diaz
2B Travis

This is you "O Canada" game thread.