The Jays are visiting Minnesota for 3 games. Sadly, since it is weekdays I cannot get down there (5-6 hour drive). Sigh.
Game 1: 8:10 start, Brandon Morrow vs Phil Hughes, Hughes has just 2 starts so far in his post-Yankee career and has allowed 8 runs in 10 IP. Ouch. That $24 mil over 3 year deal might not look so good if he doesn't pick it up.
Game 2: 8:10 start, R.A. Dickey vs Mike Pelfrey, Pelfrey also has struggled, allowing 9 runs in his 2 starts over 10 1/3 IP. He just has this year and 2015 left on his deal though at $5.5 mil a year.
Game 3: 1:10 start, Dustin McGowan vs Kyle Gibson, Gibson is off to a good start, 2 starts 2 runs in 11 1/3 IP. But his 8-6 BB-SO ratio suggests smoke and mirrors. Only reliever Michael Tonkin is younger at 24 (Gibson is 26) on this staff.
The Twins are 2nd in the AL in runs scored this year, thanks to having 7 guys with 20+ PA with an OPS+ over 120. Aaron Hicks in CF and Pedro Florimon at SS have struggled big time (OPS+ of 7 and -27 respectively) but the rest have easily picked up the slack so far. The pen in Minnesota has been nightmarish with a 5.33 RA/9 IP, 2nd worst in the AL. 3 blown saves already yet the team is 6-6.
The Jays have another shot at a sweep as our starters are stronger across the board. Lets hope for 2 out of 3 again and a few more days in first place.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20140414191800696