Blue Jays LIVE Game Thread: Jays vs Phillies

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Blue Jays LIVE Game Thread for May 6th, 2014. Tonight the Jays take on the Philadelphia Phillies.

Drew Hutchison (1-2, 3.82) vs Cole Hamels (0-2, 6.75)

The Blue Jays took the first game of this series 3-0 behind a strong performance by none other than J.A. Happ. For Happ, it was probably twice as nice. Not only did he get a win against his former team, but he also made a statement to Blue Jays brass. With a strong performance, Happ sent the message that he indeed can start.

Tonight the Blue Jays will send Drew Hutchison (#HutchShow) to the mound. I’m really going to try and get this #HutchShow thing to stick! #HutchShow is coming off a start against the Kansas City Royals where he went 7 innings and allowed 4 runs on 5 hits. This might be a good night for #HutchShow since Jimmy Rollins is the only batter who has EVER faced him. And Rollins only has one (unsuccessful) at bat! These match ups should always favour the pitcher…at least that what certain TV announcers like to say. Regardless, #HutchShow will look to continue his high strikeout totals. According to BaseballReference.com, in 33 innings, #HutchShow has  38 K’s, which is a 10.4K/9 rate!

The Phillies will counter with Cole Hamels. Remember him? Remember how awesome he has been? Yeah, it’s been a couple seasons since the lefty was a dominant force. Hamels has made just two starts this season, losing them both. His ERA sits at 6.75 thanks to 14 hits and 6 BB in just 10.2 innings. Granted, Hamels has spent time coming back from a shoulder injury. This might not be a good night for him. Melky Cabrera (.417, HR) and Jose Reyes (.500, 4RBI) have had success against Hamels. They’ve had the most at bats against him, but several guys in the Blue Jays lineup have had success against Hamels, even if it is in limited at bats.

• Radio: SN590
• TV: SNET, MLBN

Philadelphia Phillies lineup: via official Phillies Twitter page

Ben Revere-CF
Carlos Ruiz-C
Chase Utley-2B
Ryan Howard-1B
Marlon Byrd-RF
Domonic Brown-LF
Freddy Galvis-SS
Cody Asche-3B
Cole Hamels-P

Toronto Blue Jays lineup: via Blue Jays official Twitter page

Jose Reyes- SS
Melky Cabrerea-LF
Jose Bautista-RF
Edwin Encarnacion-1B
Juan Francisco-3B
Erik Kratz-C
Colby Rasmus-CF
Steve Tolleson-2B
Drew Hutchison-P

What Fans Should Watch For:

-Can Jose Bautista continue his BeastMode season? Bautista leads the planet with 33 walks and is getting on base at an .452 OBP.

-How many #Whiffs will #HutchShow put up? Can he continue the streak of good starts by the Blue Jays starting rotation?

-Has the bullpen gotten over its case of the shakes? Can they return to their 2013 form?

Find out the answers to these questions and more as we hang out for a couple hours, watch some baseball and chat it up! Thanks for joining me!