Snider’s Smashing Stache

Image courtesy of  Daylife via Reuters Pictures

First and foremost, let’s all wish Yunel Escobar a speedy recovery. Initially that slide he took into third base looked innocent, but the replays and photos showed otherwise.

It gave me a flashback to Justin Morneau’s slide into John McDonald’s leg last summer. That one looked pretty harmless at first glance as well, but Morneau ended up missing the remainder of the season with a concussion.

After Yunel came back out to the field he showed the ill effects of the hit, basically stopping short of seeing birds fly around his head.

When it comes to head hits, you can never be too cautious, so the Blue Jays need to play this one safe and not worry about rushing Escobar back. They’ll certainly miss his bat in the lineup and his glove up the middle, but Johnny Mac can definitely hold down the fold in the meantime.

Now, regarding Travis Snider; all I can say is … wow. Nothing is more pleasing to the ears than the ball coming of Snider’s bat. It’s like listening to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony … if Beethoven were a moustachioed meat connoisseur.

Jesse Litsch came through with a quality start (for my fantasy team nonetheless) and thus currently leads the “Don’t Send Me to Vegas” Sweepstakes between himself and Jo-Jo Reyes.

Litsch picked up his first victory since June 19th of last year and overall it was a solid effort from the Blue Jays fifth starter. Look around the league and Jesse actually compares pretty well to other rotation’s back-end starters.

As far as Jesse’s Game Score is concerned, he ranked a 54 which wasn’t one of the best of his career, but it wasn’t one of the worst either. I think his performance last night foreshadowed what we can expect from him in 2011.

Ultimately, I expect him to become the poster boy for middle of the road starting pitching. Just picture Joe Blanton with freckles and a Yukon Cornelius beard.