Two Weeks Notice

Okay, so it hasn't been exactly two weeks since the season started yet. That'll come in two days, but what a season it's been so far.

Already, the Jays have had to put two players on the DL. Jesse Litsch for a forarm strain and Michael Barrett for a shoulder injury, that as far as I know hasn't been specified yet. I'm not doubting the injury...I watched Barrett being taken off the field last night after he got hurt in the 4th and dude looked like he was trying not to cry a river. He was obviously in pain...but I haven't heard whether anything is broken or it's a strain. He did go for Xrays, so here's hoping he'll get better fast.

As for Jesse, here's hoping he comes back faster than Accardo. I think they're going to take their time with Litsch and not rush anything, maybe partially because of how things went with Jeremy last season.

But, all that aside...let's get to the super fun part of the season so far: the offence!

Let's be honest...on paper, the Jays do look like a team that should be able to hit well. It's been that way for at least the last three seasons, if not longer. But, voila! Now, they actually are hitting. I'm not surprised, though. Looking at three guys that have been hitting really awesome (Hill, Lind, and Snider) I knew it was only a matter of time before they started showing what they could do.

In Hill's case, I was here when he got his first hit. It was impressive. Over the years he's been here, I've believed he be able to hit like this. Last season, that's a write off. He went down only 2 months in and never came back again. He never really had a chance to get hot or get into a solid groove. Before that, he jumped around a lot in the lineup and on the field. I've never played pro ball before, but I have to believe the constant changes like that can take their toll. I've always believed that Aaron would be really good in the two hole. I understand getting a rookie acquainted with the majors and taking pressure off them by slotting them low in the lineup, but I'm glad to see Cito is giving Aaron the chance to be the #2 guy everyday. Hell, he must of been given his uni number for a reason when he first came up (lol).

I'm excited to see Lind get the chance at a full season in the majors. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that I've been a Lind supported since the get-go and believed that he'd been an awesome hitter in the majors. When he first came up, his defense was sub-par (just being honest), so he went back down to triple A and worked on it. When he came up again and got his shot to play in the field, it was incredible to see the changes and just how much he had improved. It's a little bit of a shame that he won't see much playing time this season in the outfield with Snider being almost everyday and Bautista as the backup.

And for Snider...what can I say. It's awesome to see him doing so well, and I agree with what Cito's doing for the early part of the season by sitting him against tough lefties. Why shake the kid's confidence so soon in? He's hitting well right now, playing a nice leftfield...why screw with him? True, you can't baby him forever and I don't think Cito will. It's like Cito not taking a veteran for a rookie late in a game. It might lose you that game, but win you one down the road. You can never forget as watchers of the game that we can't know the personalities of the guys in the clubhouse or the delicate mix a manager's got to have to make sure everyone can play their best. So, if Cito thinks he'll get the best out of Travis overall in the season by spelling him against tough lefties, so be it. We can never forget that we're still not even a month in of a six month season. Lots can happen.

That being said, if only the season ended today. The Jays would make the playoffs. They're a game up on the Orioles, and they won't face a team in the AL East for another 2 weeks. Smells like ground grabbing time to me!

Odd scheduling note...any one else notice the Jays have 3 four game series this month? I can't even remember the last time that happened. If it has happened before...

One more quick note. I wanted to comment on Brad Arnsberg's stand on BJ Ryan. Sure, Ryan's not the closer we once knew. He's having some issues...what pitcher doesn't every once and a while. Yes he blew his first two saves, but they might be the only two he blows for months. You never know. But I do LOVE that Arnie defended Beej and pretty much told the press at one point to screw off (in more words and more politely of course.) To paraphrase, he would let the press know when/if they did know anything and to quit making a huge story where there isn't one.

I agree Arnie. I get so fed up with sports press making a story where there really isn't one. There has the be SOMETHING worthwhile to talk about instead of just tonnes of speculation.
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Brian Tallet makes his first start since 2006 in place of the injured Jesse Litsch. He's up against Oakland rookie Trevor Cahill who took a no-hit bid into the 7th in his first start of the season. Tallet will be on a 70-75 pitch count so here's hoping it'll last him awhile. With Purcey going out in the 4th last night, the bullpen got quite a bit of work.

Enjoy the game!
Here's hoping the Jays can win this one, and keep their series winning streak alive!
JaysGirl5

A new year, a new layout...

Let’s face it. The baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint. I could come up with many excuses as to why I didn’t post that much last season, but really…who cares?

It’s Opening Day today, and even thought the weather here in Southern Ontario is SUPER crappy, nothing can squash my joy that the baseball season is upon us once again. I wrote last year about the loveliness that is Opening Day, and nothing has changed.

It’s been a long offseason. Quite a bit happened in Jays land, and at the same time not much did.

We said goodbye to AJ Burnett. I wish him well in NY, I really do. Maybe not if he ever pitches against the Jays, but I think time will tell how he manages the press in NY. It’s nothing like Toronto, and he had issues with the press here. I think something the NY press will have to learn is that AJ is who he is. I don’t know if all Jays fans realised that, never mind accepted it, but it’s true. He’s got the potential *gasp* and the intelligence to put the plan in place to maximize his pitches, he just doesn’t always do it. It can be frustrating as hell, but I think we started to get a glimpse of him adding the plan in last season. Will he be able to do that right off the skip in pinstripes? I don’t know. We haven’t heard too much about him on Yankee way in Jays land this Spring Training, so I’m not sure how the media coverage has been for him. Obviously, it’s not the same as during the season and I think it will be interesting to watch.

We also said goodbye to Gregg Zaun. I will never again not think of Zaunie when I hear a Rush song, or see Geddy Lee sitting behind home plate. I’m happy that he’s in Baltimore (if he’s not in TO) for two simple reasons: we’ll get to see him a lot because he’s still in the AL East and he gets to be close to his uncle, Rick Dempsey. Bye Zaunie. Thanks for representin’ the high socks while you were here. No one rocked out like you did.

Now, the biggest question of the season is definitely the rotation. I will admit I’m not as confident in this rotation as I was last year’s, but oh well. I’m intrigued by the mix we’ll be throwing out there during the season and I’m glad that the Jays brass is giving the young kids a chance. For so long it seemed like the Jays didn’t really have that many options pitching wise, or specifically starting rotation wise, coming from the farm teams. It’s nice to see that’s changing. The reality is we don’t have the money to go out and always sign expensive players. We have to build from within. That being said, I am aware that two of the highest paid Jays this season are homegrown.

But back to the rotation. We will be without the M&M boys (Marcum and McGowan, not Mantle and Maris) for most of the season. McGowan’s facing setbacks and Marcum wasn’t scheduled to come back until around August anyway. Why not just shut them down so they’re extra fresh for 2010. True…by the time we get in the season we might desperately need them, but I don’t think so. Afterall, we still have Accardo in the minors to come up and help the bullpen and Janssen is still an option for the rotation as long as he’s cleared from the soreness in his pitching shoulder.

The season will be what it will be. In the end, I’m just happy to be able to see my team play. I’m also REALLY happy that Aaron Hill is back manning second base. I think being without him for most of last season showed Jays fans just how integral he is to what the Jays are trying to build. Even though I think any Jays fan is crazy for not knowing that before his concussion.

In honour of Hilly's return to the field at the RC, one of my favourite signs from the last few seasons...

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Roy Halladay will make his 7th consecutive Opening Day start for the Jays tonight. Game time's 7:15 and Doc will be facing Justin Verlander for the Tigers. It should be a good game.

Enjoy the game tonight everyone!

If you're heading to the game, stay dry...

If you're staying in the dryness of your own home, don't laugh at those of us who will look like drowned cats.

Woohoo for Opening Day!

JaysGirl5