We left Fredericton, NB at 4 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on Monday morning, in a haze of sleep deprivation. Were it not for the discovery of a wonderful beverage called Red Bull, we most certainly would not have made it to our destination: Boston, MA. The group was comprised of four classmates and friends - one from New Brunswick, one from Ontario, one from Quebec and one from Newfoundland - the goal of which was to take in a couple of marquee sporting events.

A slightly abbreviated roundup summarizes another eventful day for Toronto's minor league affiliates:

Save your breath
Don’t look at me, don’t smile at me
Just close your eyes

Well, there really isn't too much to say about this team right now (not that that's kept us from yapping :-)). At 3-10 to start the year, the Jays have hopefully hit bottom and are now rebounding -- there were hopeful signs in last night's loss to Pedro Martinez. With the Leafs gearing up for the second round of the playoffs, the Jays have another week to ten days to work out the kinks and get back to a respectable level of play. It's a battle of traditional susceptibilities tonight, as the Red Sox face a lefty in Ted Lilly and the Blue Jays face a knuckler in Tim Wakefield. Advantage Toronto, at least if last night's silliness with Manny Ramirez carries over to this game: Wakefield's pitches would have difficulty breaking a pane of glass.

As reported by a few people, Howie Clark has been called up to the big club, and Chad Hermansen has been optioned down to Syracuse. Details available on this press release.

This is a poll of sorts, with a twist.

Two of the Jays' top pitching prospects took the hill last evening. One pitched a complete-game shutout; the other was pulled in the second inning for reasons of which this correspondent is unaware.

Welcome to the first installment of a new Batter's Box feature. Impressed by the quality of questions presented in the "Ask Jerry Howarth" thread, the Blue Jays broadcaster has agreed to do this with us again on a regular basis. We're very grateful.

My apologies if I paraphrased, combined or omitted any of your questions. Though Jerry was generous with his time on Sunday morning, he did have a game to call, and we tried to get to as many as we could. Perhaps as this season progresses, there will be more focus on what he's seeing on the field and in the Jays' clubhouse. This time, we get to know Jerry a little better, beginning with his responses to our Roster questionnaire.

The essentials : we're meeting tonight at SkyDome at 6:45pm in front of Gate 6. There are still free tickets left, let me know by posting in this thread if you need one or two. We will be sitting in Section 528, Rows 6, 7 and 8, so if you have bought your own ticket, come on over and join us.

The pitching matchup is Pedro Martinez versus Roy Halladay. This could be one you'll tell your grandchildren about... don't miss it.

Carlos Delgado is in a slump. He's chasing balls out of the zone and has taken more than a few awkward swings this season. Is Delgado hurt? Are his mechanics messed up? How long will it take him to sort things out? Has he ever had a month this bad?

But I feel that I should be heard loud and clear.
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears.

Fans of the late, great Antonio Prohias will surely remember his classic Spy vs. Spy features in Mad Magazine, back when it was a great publication rather than a bad SNL ripoff. Although there won't be any trick missiles, hidden pistols or remote-controlled-dressed-up-as-a-lady explosive devices in tonight's game, this is still a classic matchup: Roy Halladay versus Pedro Martinez, the young gunslinger up against the old master. The pitching duel alone makes this one a must-see game. But there's more to it than that.

Let's be optimistic: This could be a defining series for the home side. The Jays, winless at home and having played a dispirited first dozen games of the season, catch a Boston club that might be poised for a letdown after their rousing four-game set with the hated Yankees. Obviously, the Jays need to simply perform better in all areas of the game if they want to get their season back on track. But from where I sit, I'd be encouraged if they rediscovered their mental edge this series -- a little Fighting Jays spirit could go a long way.

We have a special guest author for today's Advance Scout: Tim Daloiso of the Red Sox Times. His intelligent (and stylish) site is a must-read if you like your Red Sox updates served up with a bit of progressive politics for good measure. Thanks, Tim!

On to the Advance Scout!

The second week of head-to-head play in the BBFL Alomar Division was a good and lucky one for your not-so-humble correspondent. A Friday night free agent claim, dropping Kyle Farnsworth for Mike Maroth, helped secure the IP and wins categories for my Toronto Walrus, who defeated Jick’s Rays 12-0 to move into first place in the standings by the narrowest of margins.

Les glorieux sont de retour!

There will be three Canadian teams playing in the Stanley Cup "Quarter-Finals".