The Indians begin this homestand with a three game visit from the Blue Jays.
- Friday, 7:05 PM (Drew Hutchison vs. Justin Masterson)
- Saturday, 1:05 PM (Mark Buehrle vs. Corey Kluber)
- Sunday, 1:05 PM (Brandon Morrow vs. Carlos Carrasco)
After this, the Kansas City Royals come to Progressive Field for four games, the first series between the two teams this season.
Division Watch:
- Angels at Tigers
- White Sox at Rangers
- Twins at Royals.
Team in a Box
Toronto Blue Jays |
Offense |
AL Rank |
Pitching |
AL Rank |
|||
2014 Record |
8-8 |
Runs/Game |
4.4 |
6th |
Runs/Game |
3.6 |
4th |
AL East |
2nd |
OBP |
313 |
8th |
H/9 |
8.3 |
6th |
Last 10 |
5-5 |
SLG |
404 |
4th |
BB/9 |
3.6 |
10th |
Last 30 |
- |
Steals |
6 |
11th |
SO/9 |
8.7 |
6th |
*all stats through Wednesday's games except overall record
The AL Central is sitting in a pool of mediocrity, and the AL East is really not much different so far. The Blue Jays just lost a doubleheader to the Twins to drop back down to .500 (they were in first place on Tuesday). They haven't won more than two in or a row or lost more than two in a row yet, and after yesterday, they are dead even in runs scored and allowed.
The Jays have been hit by a rash of injuries already this year. The middle infield of Jose Reyes and Maicer Izturis is already missing both members (although Reyes could be activated this weekend). And it wouldn't be the Jays if a key pitcher wasn't hurt. Last year's closer Casey Janssen is out and has had a setback this week. To top it off, Adam Lind strained his back on Tuesday and may be headed to the DL.
Projected Roster
Pos |
Player |
Bats |
PA |
BA |
OPS |
C |
Dioner Navarro |
S |
55 |
235 |
586 |
1B |
Edwin Encarnacion |
R |
60 |
241 |
669 |
2B |
Ryan Goins |
L |
35 |
152 |
382 |
3B |
Brett Lawrie |
R |
57 |
132 |
477 |
SS |
Jonathan Diaz |
R |
28 |
174 |
514 |
LF |
Melky Cabrera |
S |
66 |
323 |
903 |
CF |
Colby Rasmus |
L |
50 |
217 |
780 |
RF |
Jose Bautista |
R |
61 |
289 |
1142 |
DH |
Adam Lind |
L |
43 |
324 |
965 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
IF |
Munenori Kawasaki |
L |
5 |
400 |
1000 |
OF |
Moises Sierra |
R |
16 |
133 |
321 |
C |
Josh Thole |
L |
8 |
375 |
750 |
There does not seem to be a strong candidate to replace Lind on the bench. My best guess is that Sierra would get the nod in the outfield with Bautista sliding to the DH role. They could also keep outfielder Anthony Gose on the roster. He was recalled as the 26th man for yesterday's doubleheader.
The loss of Lind will also hurt the lineup production as he, Bautista and Cabrera are keeping the hitting afloat. Offseason pickup Navarro has started off slow and both the infield replacements are struggling mightily. Rumor has it that SS Jose Reyes may be activated on Saturday.
Projected Staff
Player |
Throws |
ERA |
IP |
WHIP |
K/9 |
R.A. Dickey |
R |
5.30 |
18.2 |
1.393 |
6.8 |
Drew Hutchison |
R |
3.68 |
14.2 |
1.432 |
9.2 |
Mark Buehrle |
L |
0.86 |
21.0 |
0.905 |
6.9 |
Brandon Morrow |
R |
5.52 |
14.2 |
1.500 |
10.4 |
Dustin McGowan |
R |
4.00 |
9.0 |
1.667 |
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sergio Santos |
R |
3.38 |
5.1 |
1.500 |
18.6 |
Brett Cecil |
L |
1.22 |
6.0 |
1.167 |
15.0 |
Steve Delabar |
R |
3.38 |
5.1 |
0.938 |
6.8 |
Aaron Loup |
L |
3.00 |
6.0 |
1.000 |
7.5 |
Esmil Rogers |
R |
6.48 |
8.1 |
1.680 |
8.6 |
Todd Redmond |
R |
0.93 |
9.2 |
1.138 |
7.4 |
Neil Wagner |
R |
2.08 |
4.1 |
0.462 |
10.4 |
JA Happ |
L |
- |
- |
- |
- |
We miss the knuckleballer, but we do get the other veteran, our old adversary, Buerhle. Buerhle has started this year on fire. Not only is his ERA under 1.00, but his FIP is 1.96. Morrow on the other hand has been a bit Salazar-esque so far. He is striking out a lot of guys but allowing a lot of baserunners as well. The third guy we face is the youngster is Hutchison.
Santos has struck out 11 in just 5.1 innings. Former Tribesman Rogers has not done well yet this year but Cecil and Remond have stepped up in his place.
On the Shelf
- 2B Maicer Izturis [15 day DL], no timetable, but likely out for season
- SP Casey Janssen [15 day DL] , on A+ rehab, temporarily shut down
- SS Jose Reyes [15 day DL] , on A+ rehab, probable April 19 return
- DH Adam Lind [day-to-day], nothing definitive, but a DL stint is possible.
Almanac
W |
L |
Pct |
RS |
RA |
Pythag |
|
2014 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2013 |
4 |
2 |
667 |
26 |
20 |
618 |
Last 5* |
19 |
18 |
514 |
166 |
193 |
431 |
Last 10* |
42 |
27 |
609 |
329 |
288 |
561 |
All-Time |
192 |
192 |
500 |
1818 |
1813 |
501 |
*Does not include 2014 stats