The Yankees still have a glimmer of hope for the wild card, even though they lost against the Red Sox they are still just 2.5 games out of the wild card. They continue to be hit by injuries, Derek Jeter is out for the season, Brett Gardner might only be able to run and A-Rod has been in and out of the lineup with various leg issues.

Meanwhile on the Jays side of the ledger, will Edwin be back with his sore wrist? Will Colby Rasmus' body be healed? Moises Sierra has been the hot hand, can he keep it going? Meanwhile the Ryan Goins for 2013 train has derailed, how many games will he start?

The Orioles, fighting for their post-season lives, come to the Dome-by-the-Lake this weekend.

Dickey versus CJ Wilson.

The Jays look to continue their hot streak.  They will have to do it tonight without Edwin, he is not in the lineup, I assume due to the balky wrist.  With Edwin out all the kids get to play including Kevin Pillar at DH tonight.

On the bump it's Mark Buehrle facing Jerome Williams.

Can the Jays win another series to make it four straight?  They gave a good chance against the Twins.  The matchups are:

 

Friday - RA Dickey vs. Mike Pelfrey

Saturday - JA Happ vs. Kevin Correia

Sunday - Esmil Rogers vs. Andrew Albers

The Jays have won two series in a row. They go for number three over the next two nights.

Todd Redmond goes against Wade Miley today. Wednesday it's Mark Buehrle vs Randall Delgado.

Everything's up to date in Kansas City.

It's the rubber match.  On paper it's a mismatch, Hiroki Kuroda faces Todd Redmond.  Kuroda has been the Yankees best pitcher this season while Redmond has gone from "good candidate for the number 5 starter next year" to "will he make another start?".  It's time for Redmond to bounce back but he faces a tough opponent.

Andy Pettitte vs. JA Happ.

After winning with the Toronto Blue Bisons last night, the Jays are back to a more normal line-up.  Rajai Davis and JP Arencibia are back to face the lefty.  That leaves just three Bisons in the line-up, Moises Sierra, still looking for his first major league hit of 2013, Ryan Goins and Kevin Pillar.

AA met with the media today, there will be comments to discuss but off the top Gibby will be back.  Did you ever doubt it, he was AA's guy and that means he gets more than one year.

Can the Jays put together a two game win streak?  RA Dickey will try to pitch well under the Dome, which I assume will be closed tonight given the thunder throughout the day today.  Phil Hughes is on the other side.  Captain Jetes is back for the bombers.  He will have to beat Ryan Goins, Anthony Gose, Moises Sierra and Kevin Pillar, all of whom are in the lineup tonight.   With Thole catching Dickey more than half the lineup were in Buffalo mid-season.

 

 

Weekend in Texas. Can the Jays win a series against the lowly Astros? It should be good for Pillar, Gose, Sierra and Goins to face some competition closer to what they are used to.

Chien Ming Wang has been recalled and will start tomorrow. Aaron Loup has been placed on paternity leave. Is his mother having another child? Just kidding, he has a baby face so it doesn't fit my mental image of him that he is about to become a father.

Can the futility in the big apple end?  RA Dickey takes on Adam Warren.

Maicer Izturis has abadly swollen ankle, he could be headed to the DL unless it gets a lot better by tomorrow.  This season is starting to resemble last year.  The DL for the Jays includes Bautista, Rasmus, Melky, Johnson, Morrow and a bunch of relievers.  One third of the lineup (45% if Izturis goes on it) and 40% of the rotation are on the DL, the team isn't playing well, and the losses are beginning to mount up. 

The local nine are off to Tampa Bay, and does everyone else remember those heady days in June when the Jays had drawn even with Tampa Bay and were just five games off the division lead? Also known as "The Kawasaki Era?" Or maybe you blinked and missed it.

Its Esmil Rogers, Thad Weber and Mickey Storey, with Brett Cecil as closer, taking on the Sawx tonight.  How will that turn out?  Rogers has been "off" for the past few starts and unless he finds his sinker in the back of his locker he might be in for a long night.

The Jays face John Lester and his 4.27 ERA.  Lester has been up and down this season.

Todd Redmond is back to start. Thad Weber is back, maybe to start. Josh Johnson has gone on the DL. Will he pitch again for the Blue Jays?

The Jays pitching staff now includes Todd Redmond, Mickey Storey, Thad Weber and Brad Lincoln. Shades of 2012 anyone?