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Series Preview: Blue Jays looking for to beat up the lone Rangers
It’s time for another run kids. The Blue Jays took two of three from Tampa IN Tampa. Tell me you saw that coming. And if you guessed Marco “Stieb” Estrada would have a no-hitter lost in the eighth…after another no-hitter was lost in the eighth in his last start. The last guy to throw no-hitters into the eighth in back to back starts was Sir David Stieb waaaay back in 1988. ’88? Man I AM old. With that said, Estrada seems to have great chemistry with Dioner Navarro and that may complicate things if he were to be used as a trading chip before the upcoming deadline.
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The once AL East cellar dwelling Rangers are the next team to feel magic. The come into Toronto feeling pretty good in third place. Their team features a rejuvenated Prince Fielder, a return of former cornerstone franchisee line mate Josh Hamilton. Mitch Moreland is hitting over .300, Delino Deshields (son of former big league Expo Delino Deshields) leads the team in steals with 13, Yovani Gallardo and first game pitcher of this series Nick Martinez both have ERA’s under 3. Chi Chi Gonzalez is another guy who has helped to solidify the rotation. From top to bottom this isn’t as fearsome as it once was but make no mistake,,,,they are as real and deep with a lot of character guys…kind of like the Jays.
Jun 20, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Mark Buehrle(56) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Game 1: Nick Martinez (5-3, 2.77 ERA) vs Mark Buehrle (7-4, 3.90 ERA)
Martinez is quietly beocming a great starter in the majors. He showed some promise in 24 starts last year and this year his numbers are even better. Heck, on the road he is 4-1 with a 1.69 ERA. That folks is getting it done. He has the makeup to be a bona fide starter for years to come. Except for one thing… he may be susceptible to the long ball a wee bit. He has a GO/AO of 0.69 for his career so he is prone to giving up fly ball outs. Couple that with a mediocre strikeout rate and his weakness is exposed rather well. With the way the Jays club the ball it could be a long game for Martinez.
Jun 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Twins 11-7. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Game 2: Yovani Gallardo (6-6, 2.98 ERA) vs TBD
Gallardo is one of those I have loved from afar. He starts all his games (6 seasons of 30+ starts) He gets innings (three years over 200 in that span) and he knows how to pitch. He does have a problem with home runs at times but overall he is a bulldog in the rotation and takes the ball and works hard when he is on the mound. Given Rogers Centre is a flyball haven he may have some trouble against the Jays.
Jun 16, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez (21) delivers to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Game 3: Chi Chi Gonzalez (2-2, 2.727 ERA) vs TBD
Gonzalez’ parents along with the rest of the baseball world are starting to get really excited about this young man. He is a ground ball type pitcher who gets outs through contact as opposed to the strikeout. His BAA against so far is .203 and his WHIP is 1.09. He has spent only 2 years before the 2015 season in the minors and the numbers pretty much showed what his capabilities are here. The Blue Jays tend not to fare to well against someone they haven’t seen so it will be interesting to see how the offense does against him.
Player to Watch
Going into the series we don’t even know who is pitching two of the three starts. Scott Copeland has been very ordinary and Aaron Sanchez is still working out while on the injured list. Look for a long shot of a guy like Matt Boyd to be brought up by the Blue Jays in hopes of using him as bait to grab an arm or two from.
Predictions
Texas has been a hot ball club lately and have made things a bit more interesting in the American League West. However, the Blue Jays have been turning things around too and the two clubs match up well offensively. This series will come down to whichever team has its pitching staff show up. We’re banking on the Blue Jays taking two of three.