Live Game Thread 18 – Toronto Blue Jays (9-8) at Cleveland Indians (7-9)

Apr 4, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) before the game against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Sergio Santos did everything he could to once again make the game interesting, but instead, the Toronto Blue Jays managed to squirm away with away with a 3-2 victory against the Cleveland Indians last night.

Both Drew Hutchison and Justin Masterson were outstanding on another cool evening, but it was the bullpens which eventually decided the game when Munenori Kawasaki delivered RBI singles off of Marc Rzepczynski in the top of the seventh for the deciding factor.

Unfortunately, due to Hutchison’s short outing, and the struggles of the night before, Toronto will be very short in regards to bullpen arms on Saturday, as noted by Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

The good news for Toronto is that they have Mark Buehrle on the mound to start the game. The erstwhile veteran has been nothing short of outstanding through his first three starts, where he is 3-0 with a 0.86 ERA, a 1.98 FIP, a 6.9 K/9, and has lasted an average of 7 innings a start. Having someone on the mound who can pitch late into the game will be key for a team short on bullpen arms.

Toronto Blue Jays Starting Line-up

Jose Reyes – SS
Melky Cabrera – LF
Jose Bautista – RF
Edwin Encarnacion – 1B
Dioner Navarro – C
Colby Rasmus – CF
Brett Lawrie – 3B
Juan Francisco – DH
Ryan Goins – 2B

Mark Buehrle – SP

Cleveland Indians Starting Line-up

Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
Nick Swisher – 1B
Jason Kipnis – 2B
Carlos Santana – DH
Ryan Raburn – LF
Michael Brantley – CF
Yan Gomes – C
David Murphy – RF
Mike Aviles – 3B

Corey Kluber – SP

The Blue Jays will have a couple of new faces in the line-up tonight. First, we get to see the return of Jose Reyes, who has been out with a hamstring injury since Opening Day. The jays will also get their first look at Juan Francisco, who is getting the call-up from Buffalo to replace Adam Lind who was placed on the DL with a sore back last night.

Go Blue Jays!