Hey, our buddies from Tampa are in town! Let's go greet 'em in old-fashioned Cheer Club style.

You know me, I'm like into the clean stuff
Like PAC-MAN, and like, I don't know

Minor-league action in the Toronto system last night saw Pulaski playing their season opener and putting on a show, while Auburn won a close one in their home opener. Meanwhile, the Syracuse bats were anemic and the New Hampshire pitchers were flammable. Dunedin and Charleston rested on the laurels of their first-half division titles.

Pop quiz: which of the following outlandish statements is false?

A. Tampa Bay comes into this game riding an 11-game winning streak.
B. Statistically, Blue Jays starters are outperforming Yankees starters.
C. Statistically, Blue Jays relievers are outperforming Braves and Cubs relievers.
D. The Blue Jays leader in Win Shares Above Average is Jason Frasor.
E. Chris Gomez is starting at first base for Toronto tonight.

As if the Jays' infuriating 8-11 record in 2003 against Tampa Bay wasn't enough motivation for the hometown gang to get up for the first of six series against their divisional rival, the Devil Rays come into town the talk of baseball, having won an astonishing eleven straight ballgames.

Only a brief Advance Scout report today, as time has been short. But against the three pitchers Piniella will be sending to the mound this week, the Jays need to practice what they preach -- namely, patience at the plate -- to prevail.

On to the Advance Scout!

That's right, everyone's favourite pink-haired economist is in Toronto this week. Who's up for a get-together before Sunday's game?

Auburn notches their first win, Dunedin and Charleston play meaningless games, Syracuse get thirteen hits and lose, New Hampshire play extra innings and win, and Pulaski start their season tonight.

Growing up, my father had this somewhat beat-up black radio with silver knobs and speakers and a fake leather case. It spent about 75% of its time sitting on the little cabinet beside the kitchen table, next to his seat. When it wasn't there, it was in the garage or in the backyard beside the barbecue. This radio had one purpose: to play baseball games.

As Junior Griffey wished his dad (and his son, Trey) a "Happy Father's Day" with his 500th career home run yesterday, the thought bubbled ... this might be the first era in baseball history in which it's possible to build a complete All-Star team of sons of former players.

So here we go. It's not precisely "Hall of Names" fodder, but these are names you'll recognize.

We’ve reached the midway point of the regular season. This report will be longer than usual, as your not-so-humble correspondent reflects on the week — and the first half — that was.

Here's some Monday morning food for thought for y'all.

Some cross to bear
I'm hiding in the trees with a picnic
She's over there

A tough, late-night loss to the Padres. The bullpen gave up 2 runs in the 8th that led to the 3-2 loss.

Charleston clinched the 1st half title, and New Hampshire kept on winning on Saturday. It was also my daughter's Bat Mitzvah, so even a 2-3 record for the farm affiliates tastes sweet.

The last two games were winnable for both teams, so a split is nothing to be ashamed of. I expect another low scoring contest with Batista and Lawrence hooking up. No TV in Canada for this one.

In the 11 inter-league games so far, the Jays have a 4 and 7 record, and their runs cored per 9 innings rates have been: 5.45 (innings 1 to 3), 3.82 (innings 4 to 6) and 3.30 (innings 7 to 9). The last category includes 0 runs in the ninth inning (out of the 8 they've batted in).