Cecil and Hill Suit Up
Aren’t these two fellas a sight for sore eyes?
Both Aaron Hill and Brett Cecil make their triumphant return to the Blue Jays roster tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hill, after missing the past 14 games due to a hamstring injury, and Cecil after missing the Opening Day roster cut.
With Hill’s return, that hopefully means the Alex Gonzalez experiment is over and some stability will return to the top of the lineup. Cecil is a welcome addition to the starting rotation after we were subjected to three unspectacular Brian Tallet starts.
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The Blue Jays will get their second taste division play against the 12-4 Tampa Bay Rays, but with Cecil’s return tonight one can argue that momentum might be in favour of the Jays.
There’s only one problem … Matt Garza.
Over the past three seasons, Garza has owned the Jays with a 6-2 record and a minuscule 0.84 ERA against.In nine starts against the Jays, Garza has given up a grand total of six earned runs. SIX! Not only that, but the past three seasons Garza has not surrendered a single home run versus the bluebirds.
That will hopefully change tonight because the Blue Jays lead the league in home runs with 23 total. So let’s pray for some long balls and hits against Matt Garza, because they come at a premium.
It's hard to believe that Garza's ERA was 3.95 last year, since he also owns the Red Sox. He must stink against the rest of the league or something, since you figure he gets a good portion of starts against teams in the AL East.
Ask and ye shall receive!
Garza last year vs. AL East Opponents:
vs. Bal: 1-1, 3.21 ERA
vs. Bos: 2-1, 1.74 ERA
vs. NYY: 0-1, 2.08 ERA
vs. Tor: 3-0, 1.27 ERA
It was the AL Central that had their way with Garza last year:
vs. Chw: 0-1, 11.12 ERA
vs. Det: 0-1, 10.80 ERA
vs. LAA: 0-0, 10.80 ERA
Yeah, that's a pretty surprising split, wow. Nice research Ian!
What is up with the regular Frasor implosions? Today was not pretty.
I'm not sure Mattt, I'm thinking of doing a post on what's wrong with Frasor.
Yes, his velocity is down a little bit but I don't think he's injured or anything like that. Just a rough patch for him right now.
You are selling Tallet a little short. He had 3 starts and his first one (@ the Rangers) was actually half decent. It was his next 2 that had us all yearning for a move to the bullpen.
Matt, good call – I was looking at Tallet's 4 runs in that first game and just noticed only 2 were earned.
Still, a Brian Tallet start is never a beautiful thing. It would also help if he could toss 7+ innings once in a while.