Thursday, April 18, 2019

#20 - Toronto Blue Jays (7-12) at Minnesota Twins (9-6)

A good ol' Canadian boy.

Thursday, April 18, 2019 | 1:10 pm ET
Target Field, Minneapolis, MN

Clay Buchholz (0-0, 1.50, 1.00) vs. Michael Pineda (2-0, 3.00, 1.00)


PREAMBLE:

So, that's what a loss looks like.  The Toronto Blue Jays look to secure a series win in today's getaway day matinee -- it's an early start with a 12:10 CT game time.

Former grease-bucket turned wise old sage (funny how changing clubhouses change perceptions) Clay Buchholz aims to pick up from where he left off in a good first start and build a resume as useful trade bait.  He'll face Michael Pineda who is finally healthy after missing all of 2018.


NOTES:

Roster moves to announce:  Ryan Tepera activated, Javy Guerra DFA'ed.  Dunno, I thought Guerra would be useful to keep around in the bullpen.

Vlad good.  The buzz is building for his imminent call-up.  This one in yesterday's game went right out of the ballpark:

And as of three days ago, Vlad Jr. had the exact same number of minor-league at-bats as his father.  Here's how Vlad Jr. compares to Vlad Sr.:
Call him up now and all will be right with the world.


YOUR REGULAR REMINDER OF HOW GOOD MIKE TROUT IS:

Dude has missed 3.5 games so he's done this in 14.5 games, compared to 18 or 19 for most of the others...

Merely on pace for 21.1 WAR.  Bow before him, knaves.


LINEUPS:


This is your "it's long overdue to win a series in 2019" game threat.