Oh, You Betcha

After 14 games the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in second place, with the potential to move into first after today’s double-header in Minnesota. Yesterday’s game was delayed due to snow in Minnesota and therefore today the Blue Jays will play at 1pm and 7pm.

So far this season Toronto has surprised a lot of people, including myself, by posting a winning record of 8-6. Over the weekend the Jays beat the powerful Baltimore Orioles 2 out of 3 times, with the third (Sunday) game being an absolute blow-out. McGowan got his first win of the season on Friday night, when he managed to pitch 6.1 scoreless innings. On Saturday night Colby Rasmus hit a home run on what could have been the last pitch of the game to extend the game into extra innings, however in the 12th inning David Lough hit a single out to left field that brought in Steve Lombardozzi and the Orioles won. The first two games of the series were tight scoring pitching contests, and Sunday was looking as though it would be similar, at least until the sixth inning. In the sixth the Jays ran away with the game, scoring 5 runs to end the inning 8-1. Mark Buerhle picked up another win and continued his perfect streak yet another game. Toronto scored three more times in the 8th to end the game 11-3.

On Tuesday Toronto managed to keep their bats warm, despite playing in freezing cold Target Field in St. Paul. The Jays started slow, however they came alive again in the sixth and the Jays cashed in 5 runs. Toronto continued their hitting clinic in the 9th when they scored an additional 4 runs to end the game 9-3.

However, just when everything was looking up, something had to give. Maicer Izturis apparently tripped on the dugout steps in Baltimore on Sunday and has somehow managed to tear a ligament. Reports suggest that Izturis will be out for the remainder of the season, as he will require surgery. The 33 year-old has been one of the Blue Jays best batters thus far, with an average of .286 and an OPS of over .600, and is a large part of their winning record. Replacing Maicer is fan favourite Munenori Kawasaki. Kawasaki filled in for Jose Reyes last year and he proved to be a valuable and patient hitter, as well as a very likeable and energetic player.

There is some good news for the Jays however. Jose Reyes, who has been out of the line up so far this season has started running and practising and will hopefully be reactivated by Friday when the Jays travel to Cleveland.

Today, weather permitting, RA Dickey will take the mound in the afternoon, followed by Dustin McGowan this evening as the Jays and Twins attempt to make up for yesterday’s snowy conditions. The Yankees play Tampa Bay today, and should Tampa win, the Jays will have the opportunity to move into first place in the AL East.

Author: Braydin Frizell

Born in Brampton. Currently living in Ottawa. Love the Jays and the Leafs. feel free to follow me on Twitter @bfrizell

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