Series Preview - Atlanta v Toronto

Friday June 27,2008

Flashback Friday tonight showcases the two Managers. Bobby Cox was Manager in Toronto from 1982-85 and actually hired Gaston as hitting coach. Speaking of hitting Jays bats appear to be more lively.

Rolen has had three home runs this week in last four games with nine RBIs to go with them. He made an interesting comment re previous hitting coach Denbo, giving him credit for his turnaround before the changeover in coaching staff.

Inglett continues to start at 2B this week has gone 8-16 one HR 3 RBIs and five runs. That is not good news for Eckstein as they will not move Scutaro from SS to 2B whilst Inglett is hot. News on Hill is that he may start rehab this weekend in Florida. Decision time on trade or no.

Overbay and definitely Alex Rios coming around this week. Wells is still not back to his normal talent but it is so long since we have seen him burning up the bases that maybe this is the norm form now on. He is getting RBIs but sac flies and ground out fielder’s choices are hardly the booming bat of two seasons ago.

Atlanta is another good NL team although their road record is not so good. One to watch if you can get to batting practice is Jeff Francouer. This guy can really hit the ball. He was called "The Natural" on the cover of Sports Illustrated after being called up to the majors in 2005.
We watched him this spring in Dunedin at Bright’s Field versus the Phillies and Francouer in batting practice was hitting huge moon shots that would be the fifth deck in the Rogers Centre. However right now he is struggling so maybe we want to see him recover after the series ends on Sunday. .228 with a .267 OBP and a .367 SLG with RISP. That is very unusual for Francoeur. For his career, in 558 plate appearances with RISP, Francoeur has batted .315 with a .364 OBP and a .508 SLG. Interestingly Francouer thinks that his vision is the problem in night games and he has been fitted with a special contact lens for his right eye this week. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution.) This season he's hitting .320 in 26 day games and .204 in 51 night games.

Chipper Jones at 3B with a .394 average 16 HRs and 46 walks, has been out with a quad injury but hoping to play tonight but this could be pushed back. Here’s one hoping it will be after the Jays series.

Last but not least of course the very hot Texeira at 1B. 57 RBIs Mark had three home runs against Seattle on Sunday and another off Torres in Milwaukee. Is hitting .467 7-15 with 4 HRs and seven RBIs in his last four games. Jones and Texeira have 30 HRs. Jays fans would love that one-two combination at the corners.

Pitchers: Jair Jurrjens (7-3, 3.20 ERA) will start for Atlanta on Friday facing Dustin McGowan. Jurriens pitching his 16th game 90 innings pitched with 36 walks and 66 strikeouts
McGowan (6-5 4.21 ERA.) very similar numbers to Jurrjiens. Pitching his 17th game tonight 94 Innings pitched 33 walks and 74 strikeouts. Dustin’s last out was the 8-5 win in Pittsburgh this week. Dustin has been frustrating to watch some games this season with his control and number of walks. Perhaps tonight he will be on his game.
Make this an interesting match up.

Other good news is the Saturday pitcher John Parrish. I thought that he should have come north with the team after Spring in Dunedin. He had one game against the Tigers where he struck out seven of nine hitters that he faced, he was untouchable. If he can pitch like that on Saturday he will make many fans sit up and notice. Another good asset of Parrish is his great pickoff move. Watch him on Saturday if a guy gets on base. The others Jays starters should also watch.