The methodical, consistent Roy Halladay will treat this like every other game, and as always, has an excellent chance to win. Maybe better than usual; Doc is 7-1 with a 2.05 ERA in his career against the Tigers, who he beat fairly easily on July 2 in Detroit, and was superb in his latest, fanning 10 Yankees in a 4-hit complete game. He seems oblivious to his Cy Young candidacy, which would be enhanced by winning 20 games and striking out 200 batters.
Though Doc's leading the majors in most of the "workhorse" stats -- innings pitched, batters faced -- he has been remarkably efficient, requiring fewer pitches per plate appearance (and per inning) than any AL starter. His 6.14 K/BB ratio is by far the league's best, and second in all of baseball to his mentor Curt Schilling.
Esteban Loaiza may be the Cy frontrunner because his team is in the playoff race, but not many voters would trade Halladay for him. Staked to a 4-0 early lead this afternoon in his bid to go 19-6, Loaiza gave up a 3-run homer to Jody Gerut in the third and a 2-run shot to Josh Bard in the fourth. He struck out ten and walked none through six innings, then issued two free passes, one intentional, in the seventh. The White Sox have just broken open a 5-5 tie, so even if he's done after 114 pitches, Loaiza is in line for the win.
Halladay's 8-1 record at the Dome this year is the exception among Toronto pitchers, the rest of whom have combined for a disappointing 24-36 home record. The Jays must win 9 of their 12 remaining home dates (counting today) to avoid a losing record for 2003 in the convertible confines. A win this afternoon would give the Jays a 3-2 edge in their season series with the Tigers, with four to play. It will also put the club a game over .500 with 21 remaining.
Nate Cornejo hasn't faced the Jays since a rough 3-inning relief stint two years ago, as a 21-year-old AA callup. The big (6'5", 245) righty is in the top 10 among AL starters in ground ball/fly ball ratio, but 48 walks and just 36 strikeouts in 158.2 IP isn't very intimidating. Hitters can wait for him to get the ball up, as his .306 opponents average suggests.
Frank Catalanotto, who enjoyed a 412/508/725 August, is in left field, batting in front of the potent Wells-Delgado-Phelps-Hinske combo. Carlos Tosca continues to divide the playing time; today Bobby Kielty sits, so leadoff man Reed Johnson is in right. With the groundball specialist on the mound, Mike Bordick's reliable glove earns him the SS nod. Kevin Cash, who caught Doc's masterpiece on Monday, is back behind the plate, relegating Greg Myers' bat to a pinch-hit appearance, if needed.
On the radio pregame, Jerry Howarth joked with Tosca about John Gibbons' 3-0 record as manager in his absence. The skipper called Wells and Delgado "as good as any duo in baseball" and said nothing that Vernon does surprises him. He said that Mark Hendrickson left a lot of balls up in the zone last night, but praised his bullpen, especially Aquilino Lopez, who has "street smarts" on the mound.
Though Doc's leading the majors in most of the "workhorse" stats -- innings pitched, batters faced -- he has been remarkably efficient, requiring fewer pitches per plate appearance (and per inning) than any AL starter. His 6.14 K/BB ratio is by far the league's best, and second in all of baseball to his mentor Curt Schilling.
Esteban Loaiza may be the Cy frontrunner because his team is in the playoff race, but not many voters would trade Halladay for him. Staked to a 4-0 early lead this afternoon in his bid to go 19-6, Loaiza gave up a 3-run homer to Jody Gerut in the third and a 2-run shot to Josh Bard in the fourth. He struck out ten and walked none through six innings, then issued two free passes, one intentional, in the seventh. The White Sox have just broken open a 5-5 tie, so even if he's done after 114 pitches, Loaiza is in line for the win.
Halladay's 8-1 record at the Dome this year is the exception among Toronto pitchers, the rest of whom have combined for a disappointing 24-36 home record. The Jays must win 9 of their 12 remaining home dates (counting today) to avoid a losing record for 2003 in the convertible confines. A win this afternoon would give the Jays a 3-2 edge in their season series with the Tigers, with four to play. It will also put the club a game over .500 with 21 remaining.
Nate Cornejo hasn't faced the Jays since a rough 3-inning relief stint two years ago, as a 21-year-old AA callup. The big (6'5", 245) righty is in the top 10 among AL starters in ground ball/fly ball ratio, but 48 walks and just 36 strikeouts in 158.2 IP isn't very intimidating. Hitters can wait for him to get the ball up, as his .306 opponents average suggests.
Frank Catalanotto, who enjoyed a 412/508/725 August, is in left field, batting in front of the potent Wells-Delgado-Phelps-Hinske combo. Carlos Tosca continues to divide the playing time; today Bobby Kielty sits, so leadoff man Reed Johnson is in right. With the groundball specialist on the mound, Mike Bordick's reliable glove earns him the SS nod. Kevin Cash, who caught Doc's masterpiece on Monday, is back behind the plate, relegating Greg Myers' bat to a pinch-hit appearance, if needed.
On the radio pregame, Jerry Howarth joked with Tosca about John Gibbons' 3-0 record as manager in his absence. The skipper called Wells and Delgado "as good as any duo in baseball" and said nothing that Vernon does surprises him. He said that Mark Hendrickson left a lot of balls up in the zone last night, but praised his bullpen, especially Aquilino Lopez, who has "street smarts" on the mound.
