Blue Jays LIVE Game Thread vs Detroit Tigers

May 21, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

Drew Hutchison

(36) pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to tonight’s Blue Jays LIVE Game thread vs the Detroit Tigers.

Drew Hutchison (4-3, 3.88) vs Anibal Sanchez (2-2, 2.49)

Tonight the Blue Jays start a mini road trip by taking on the AL Central leading Tigers. In fact, Detroit is the only stop on this road trip. Jeff Morten (@TallBoyWrites) has given us his usual comprehensive preview of this series.  I’m looking forward to seeing how the Blue Jays fair against another “contending” team. The way they handled the Red Sox, A’s and Rays made me feel confident in their season. If they can put forth a strong showing against the Tigers, more critics (or cynics) could be silenced. The bandwagon may gain a few more members.

RADIO– SN590 The Fan
TV– SNET

Tonight’s matchup will feature Drew Hutchison (#HutchShow). #HutchShow is coming off a bit of a rough outing. He gave up 5 runs (3 homeruns) over 5 innings, but still managed to win the game. It was his third in a row.

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He’ll look to continue his streak. He heads into tonight’s game with a bit of an advantage. Only

Ian Kinsler

has recorded at bats against #HutchShow. In 4 at bats, Kinsler is hitting .250 with 3 RBI. I look for #HutchShow to rebound nicely from his previous start. I’m basing this purely on the unquantifiable gut feeling and belief I have in his poise on the mound. At 23, he brings the focus and calm demeanor of a 10 year veteran. But, if #HutchShow does not have his stuff tonight, we’ll find out early on.

The Tigers will call on Anibal Sanchez tonight. He’s coming off a nice performance against the A’s on Wednesday. He only allowed 1 run on 3 hits. The Blue Jays’ potent offense may be in tough tonight. Lifetime, Sanchez is 2-2, 5.48 against the Blue Jays. Actually, the Jays’ lineup have put up some good numbers against Sanchez. Brett Lawrie is hitting .667 in 6 at bats. Not good enough for you? Well, how about Jose Reyes hitting .316 (19 at bats) or Edwin Encarnacion hitting .333 in 10 at bats, including a homerun and 2 RBI? Still not enough? OK, well…how about Melky Cabrera hitting .563 in 16 at bats. I’ll also add that Anthony Gose is .333 against Sanchez. Well, ok. That is only 1 for 3, but still.

Detroit Tigers lineup (via @MLBLineups) :

Ian Kinsler-2B
Torii Hunter-RF
Miguel Cabrera-1B
Victor Martinez-DH
J.D. Martinez-LF
Don Kelly-3B
Austin Jackson-CF
Alex Avila-C
Andrew Romine-SS

Anibal Sanchez-P

Toronto Blue Jays lineup (via @MLBLineups):

Jose Reyes-SS
Melky Cabrera-LF
Jose Bautista-RF
Edwin Encarnacion-1B
Adam Lind-DH
Brett Lawrie-2B
Juan Francisco-3B
Dioner Navarro-C
Anthony Gose-CF

Drew Hutchison-P

As a side note: voting has begun for the 2014 MLB All Star game in Minnesota. Over at BlueJaysFromAway.com, I stated a case for 6 Blue Jays who SHOULD be All Stars. Check it out. Then, head over and fill out the online ballot. You can vote 25 times per email address.