McGowan tonight v Aaron Laffee (0-2, 2.84) making his third start filling in for the injured Westbrook.
Laffee didn't allow a hit through five innings of his first start against Yankees, and Kansas City's first hit last Sunday didn't come until the fifth. He took loss allowing just one unearned run on four hits in seven innings of a 2-0 loss.
Toronto was swept in Cleveland each of the last two seasons, and has only won once there in the last 14 games.
Jays have lots to prove tonight. The usual issue re bats.
Are the two new guys Mench and Wilkerson any help ? I think they are. They have the experience to calm the younger players. The one thing that Jays have had going for them has been starting pitching and the bullpen. BUT you know that this streak has to end and let’s hope it coincides with hitting resurgence.
I do think however that pitching coach does have something to do to influence this crazy streak. It is easy to watch Rios and see what he is doing wrong. He is totally at sea at almost every at bat. His head is flying off the swing, he waves weakly at strikeout pitches as if he has guessed wrong each time. Surely a batting coach can help him with this OR more likely is Rios ignoring any advice that he gets?
But not just Rios is to blame for this terrible season long slump.
Rolen is excluded and has been everything promised. Wells had started to come out of the slump before injury last night. Overbay also with two doubles in one game now four on the season is starting to show form. Stairs is inconsistent ditto Hill. The rest of the lineup is awful.
McGowan (2-2, 2.95 ERA) just one run on eight hits in 14 2-3 innings in his last two starts. He went 7 1-3 innings in a 1-0 win over the White Sox in his last start.
Wells, hurt last night is not paying tonight and his long-term status will be clarified by an MRI.
What they said. Wells on last night’s injury: "I hit the ground pretty hard. I couldn't breathe. From top to bottom, I didn't feel too good. I've never injured my wrist before so I don't know what to expect."
Cleveland Manager Eric Wedge on Laffee’s last start."Aaron was outstanding. I was very impressed with the way he pitched today. ... That's pretty real stuff."
Wedge on last night’s game: "It was nice to put together a big inning against a very good pitcher,"
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