Series Preview: Blue Jays Head to New York with Season on the Line

Mar 9, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Game 3: Marcus Stroman (0-0. 0.00 ERA) vs Michael Pineda (10-8, 4.15 ERA)

The saviour of the season in some people’s eyes takes the mound Saturday in the always-energetic Stroman. He has come back in less than 6 months from an injury that should have knocked him out for the year. If he is anywhere close to 100% and being the pitcher he was last season it will be truly remarkable. Long-term he looks like a closer to me (a la Tom Gordon), but for now, he is the guy who could give the rotation the boost it needs to get through the last few weeks of the season.

Pineda keeps chugging along after a year off from Tommy John. In his last 7 he is doing alright with a WHIP of 1.14 giving up a hit an inning and in 40+ innings has given up 37 strikeouts and 6 walks. After the all-star break he has struggled overall with a 6.11 ERA . He has had more time on the DL and has been ok since getting off of it. He has the killer breaking ball but he isn’t commanding it too well. He gives up his share of home runs which bodes well against the killer Blue Jays offense.

Next: Game 4 Preview: Dickey closes out the series