Series Preview: Blue Jays Keep Clubbin’…Orioles are Next

Jun 16, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(28) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: Chris Tillman (5-7, 5.58 ERA) vs Scott Copeland (1-1, 2.57 ERA)

Chris Tillman seemed destined to be a front of the rotation guy. In 2012 to 2014 he was the best pitcher on a rotation that was morphing over and over again. He was the rock. The one guy that good ol’ Buck Showalter could rely on. In 2014 he was the leader of a decent staff but because the Orioles were winning it didn’t seem so important. This season it is really starting to show. He has regressed to the tune of an ERA slowly moving towards 6. In 2012 to 2014 he gave up less than a hit an inning. In 2015 he is giving up more than a hit per inning and his WHIP is at a pretty rotten 1.55. With the offense of the Jays they should be able to beat him down pretty good…unless he starts to turn things around it is going to be one of those seasons that will help the Blue Jays in the long run as they compete for a division crown.

Scott Copeland is still a mystery really. I know he had a stellar start to the season in AAA Buffalo and his first start was pretty awesome. His second start….weeeeeell it was a bit of a wreck (couple hits an inning and all around a blaise effort). Remember this isn’t a 22-year-old upstart…this is a 27-year-old who finally cracked the AA ceiling and got himself to the majors. If he was a real threat he would have been in the majors a couple of years ago. He is a depth arm and that depth is definitely being tested since the big three kids are all not in the current rotation. If Copeland has truly caught lightning in a bottle then this game should be decided already.