Blue Jays Game Thread: Gm2 of (Non) Double Header

Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jays (8-7) attempt to win this series and make it two straight series wins. They will play their second game of the day against the Minnesota Twins (7-7) after the Upper Mid-West weather messed with Wednesday’s game. The two teams will play their second game in one day, but technically, it is not a traditional double header. The stadium will be cleared between games and re-open for the second. This makes for two separate games. Sounds like a money grab, if you ask me.

Regardless, they will make up the lost game in weather that is right around 0 Celsius. Dustin McGowan (1-1, 4.00) will get the start against Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.84).

McGowan is coming off a strong start against the Baltimore Orioles where he went 6 1/3 innings. He shut out the O’s giving up 5 hits with 2 strikeouts and only 1 walk. He will be put to the test pitching in the frigid confines of Target Field. The cold will test the health of his throwing arm. Thus far, McGowan is showing no ill effects from his long list of injuries. Today will be yet another type of test. When McGowan takes the mound it will probably be even colder than the record low for a Twins home game. Although, it isn’t a long history being that they played in a dome for a long time. Anyone remember the garbage bag walls of that outfield?

In his prep for Wednesday’s game Jays Journal Staff Writer, Ryan Mueller (@MuellerRyan11) gave us the following scouting report for Mike Pelfrey: “Mike Pelfrey went 5 innings in a 6-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Pelfrey gave up two home runs, 9 hits, 6 ER while striking out 3 and walking 4. His fastball wasn’t very good and struggled with his command throwing 58 of hit 104 pitches for balls. In career against the Blue Jays, Pelfrey is 1-1 with 9 K’s and a 3.75 ERA. Melky Cabrera has 12 AB against Pelfrey and sports a .167 average.”

Because of the double header, teams are permitted to carry 26 players on the roster. The Blue Jays called up Anthony Gose for tonight’s game. He’ll get the start in center field. This could be seen as a logical move since the Jays are already going with an 8-man bullpen. Since John Gibbons only used R.A. Dickey and Todd Redmond in the first game earlier today, there should be plenty of arms to call upon in the second contest. The Twins go with former New York Yankee Eduardo Nunez as their 26th man. He’ll  start at third.

Radio: SN590

TV: Sportsnet

Minnesota Twins lineup (according to BaseballPress.com):

Brian Dozier-2B

Joe Mauer-DH

Chris Colabello-1B

Jason Kubel-LF

Josmil Pinto-C

Chris Herrmann-RF

Eduardo Nunez-3B

Aaron Hicks-CF

Eduardo Escobar-SS

Toronto Blue Jays lineup: