Blue Jays Game Thread: Let’s Play Two!

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

So, apparently, the weather was so ominous looking that the decision was made to cancel yesterday’s game well before game time. And, it looks as though it was the right call.

The Twins’ Grounds Crew tweeted the following:

And, here’s what they had to deal with:

And, by the looks of things they’ve done a good job:

All of this begs the question if the MLB season is too long. Does it start too early? The weather in October is cruel also. But, that is the subject for another day.

Jays Journal Staff Writer, Ryan Mueller (@MuellerRyan11) has the prep work for yesterday’s game all set to go. Here’s what he had to say: After Tuesday night’s dominant performance from the bullpen in picking up a shaky Brandon Morrow who only last 3.2 innings, John Gibbons will hope to get a quality start out today’s starter.  R.A. Dickey (1-2, 5.30 ERA) will try to secure a series victory as he takes the hill in the second game of three game series against Minnesota Twins Kyle Gibson (2-0, 1.59)

R.A. Dickey went 7 innings in a 6-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Thursday. Dickey gave up two home runs in that start which is a bit of a concern considering he gave up 35 HR in 34 starts last year. Dickey did have good velocity and movement on his knuckball, but it just wasn’t his night. With 2 degree Celsius weather expected for today, Dickey has his work cut out for him. Dickey doesn’t even like to pitch with the dome open. In 35.1 innings against the Twins R.A. Dickey has 21K’s, a 2-2 record with a 6.11 ERA.

Kyle Gibson is off to a good start this season. He’s only given up 2 earned runs thus far. He’ll be in tough against a Blue Jays offense that looks as though it is starting to come around. It looks as though control is going to be the key for Gibson. In his first two starts against Cleveland and Kansas City, he gave up 4 walks to each club. If the Blue Jays can remain patient, they should find success against Gibson.

NOTE: Toronto has scored 20 runs on 31 hits in the past two games after scoring 7 runs on 18 hits in the three games prior.

Twins Starting Lineup (according to MLB.com)

Brian Dozier, 2B

Joe Mauer-1B

Trevor Plouffe-3B

Chris Colabello-RF

Jason Kubel-LF

Josmil Pinto-DH

Kurt Suzuki-C

Aaron Hicks-CF

Pedro Florimon-SS

Blue Jays Starting Lineup

Colby Rasmus is back in the lineup. With the cold weather, the Blue Jays will not put him in full time. They are going to DH him and likely rest him for the second game today. They will have Anthony Gose available for game 2 as they are permitted to call up a player for these “double header” situations.

And there is this interesting note from Barry Davis at Sportsnet:

For fun, take a look at the process of getting ready for today’s game:

Game 2 will feature