Blue Jays rain notes: Tarps out, Tulowitzki close

The Toronto Blue Jays may see their four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles delayed slightly tonight, as the tarps are on the field at Camden Yards. Rain is expected to be heavy leading up until game time, at which point it will hopefully break long enough for baseball. Put on the coffee, it could be a late night!

In the situation that they’re unable to get the game in tonight, the Blue Jays and Orioles would play a double-header tomorrow. Miguel Gonzalez and Marcus Stroman will lead off the series, whenever that time comes, and be followed by R.A. Dickey and Kevin Gausman at 7:05 ET tomorrow night. The positive news to come out of the past hour is that shortstop Troy Tulowitzki appears no more than one game away from returning to the lineup. Tulo got out ahead of the rain this afternoon to do some hitting work on the field in Baltimore and reportedly felt fine.

Doing so will allow Tulowitzki to regain some level of timing at the plate, a valuable thing before diving head-first into playoff baseball. If Tulo were to return tomorrow with six games remaining on the schedule, expect manager John Gibbons to work in an off day for him, or perhaps ease him back into the lineup as a designated hitter. Speaking of lineups, tonight’s starting nine looks like this:  

Another start for Darwin Barney at second base as the Jays give the defensively-gifted newcomer another nod. While he’s not a star with the bat, it’s almost too bad that Toronto acquired him after the playoff eligibility line. Someone with his defensive talent would make a real case for a spot towards the bottom of a playoff roster. Not saying he’d earn one, but much like a lefty-specialist from the bullpen, a dominant-trait bench player is always in the conversation.

We’ll keep you updated on our official Twitter page as first pitch nears regarding any potential delays or weather issues in Baltimore.

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