Game 97: Vernon Wells Rests

Friday, July 18 2003 @ 06:25 AM EDT

Contributed by: Coach

According to the advance box score on Yahoo (usually posted shortly after the lineups are set, and accurate all year, except for last-minute changes) Bobby Kielty is batting third and Vernon Wells gets a very rare night off. Jayson Werth is playing CF and batting ninth. Mike Bordick is back after 11 days off on a personal matter, hitting seventh and playing shortstop.

The lineup juggling could be a response to Tim Wakefield being on the mound. V-Dub has just four singles in 17 career AB against the knuckleballer; Woodward is a mere 2-for-11. Bordick, Myers, Delgado, Hinske and Catalanotto have fared well in previous meetings, although nobody really teed off the last time the Jays faced Wakefield, ten days ago at the Dome. He lasted seven innings, allowing just one run and striking out seven.

It's the enigmatic Kelvim Escobar for the good guys. "Rested Kelvim," as Mike D called him, had one of his patented brain cramps -- more like a spasm -- when asked to face the Yankees on three days' rest in his latest. That's the only really horrible start he's made since being banished from the bullpen for inconsistency. He went seven solid innings, allowing three earned runs, four nights earlier vs. the Red Sox, so if he's not distracted by the trade rumours, he could get back in the groove. Two talented but unpredictable pitchers, plenty of hitting talent on both sides -- anything could happen tonight.

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