The first two games of the interleague series between Los Angeles and Toronto have seen masterful pitching performances from Jays starters Ted Lilly and Miguel Batista. Tonight, Josh Towers tries to continue that run against a Dodger squad in dire need of some offence. Lefty Kaz Ishii takes the mound for LA, which means Frank Menechino leads off and plays second base. Eric Hinske sits in favour of Chris Gomez, and Frank Catalanotto grabs some bench while Reed Johnson and Alex Rios man the corner outfield spots. Josh Phelps is back at DH, batting 7th -- but at least he's ahead of Howie (Home Run) Clark.

The Associated Press is reporting that catcher Kevin Cash has been taken off the DL and put on the active roster. To make room for Cash, the Jays sent struggling reliever Aquilino Lopez to AAA Syracuse. The Jays currently have three catchers on the big league club, but the current roster will be subject to even more changes as space will need to be made when Delgado, Hudson, De Los Santos, et. al. come off of the DL.

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Since the Tirolean spa had the chess boys in it
All change -- don't you know that when you
Play at this level there's no ordinary venue

Rough night in the minors as only New Hampshire was able to pull out a win. Dunedin was rained out. At least Aaron Hill and Gabe Gross had decent nights.

From 1998-1999, Jose Lima went 37-18 with a 3.65 ERA for the Astrodome-based Astros. Since then, he's gone 29-38 and hasn't had an ERA below four and a half (usually way, way above) till this year's limited action. He's living proof that the label "20-game winner" just doesn't have the, shall we say, cachet it once did. He's also 0-1 in one lifetime Skydome start with a 13.50 ERA. All of which to say, despite his 8 innings of shutout ball against Arizona late last month, this is a game that the Blue Jays and Miguel Batista should approach with confidence. Slugging Howie Clark again plays first base; Josh Phelps again sits. Today's question: should Phelps be playing his way out of his funk, or is he simply playing himself deeper into it? What's up with Josh Phelps?

Dick Scott, the Blue Jays Farm Director, has a busy week ahead of him. He has to assign all the new draftees to their short season minor league teams. He also has a group of players in extended spring training who need a team. Players in EST include John Wesley, Jermy Acey, Amos Day, maybe Chris Leonard, DJ Hanson, and of course James Pidutti.

J.P. and company threw us a few curves yesterday, especially with the selections of Curtis Thigpen, Adam Lind and Donnie Hill with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. All three were relatively unheralded by both scouts and the statistically inclined.

Most of the players chosen in day two will not be signed. The clubs will take highschoolers who will end up going to a 4-year college program(me) or to junior college as possible draft-and-follows, or college prospects who will return for their senior year in the hopes of improving their draft position.

I see another hurdle approaching.
Say we can, say we will,
Not just another drop in the ocean.

This is just a thread to discuss Cheer Club plans for the LA and Arizona homestand. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make any games this series, but someone will surely step up to lead this little group of wilful men.

On the eve of the big club drafting 18 more Major League hopefuls, the boys already on the farm got it done with three wins in four tries.

I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on thru' stormy skies

Folks, I'm sorry to do this twice in such short order, but real life again precludes a full Advance Scout (and I had some good stuff this week!) I'll try and supplement it and/or re-post it this week. In the meantime, here are the pitching probables and lineups for the Jays' first interleague series of the season.

Stay tuned Friday for a pinch-hit Scout from the lovely and talented Robert Dudek.

Here's a clean thread to discuss the flurry of picks that are almost upon us. I feel like I'm in a great restaurant after I've ordered, just waiting for the food to come.

The Blue Jays first round selection is David Purcey, LHP, Oklahoma University