The Indians are getting all of the artificial turf out of the way early as they move from Tropicana Field to the Rogers Center.  The Blue Jays have had their share of ups and downs lately – the last week is a prime example.  They swept a four-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies, then got swept in a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels.  The Indians are coming off a strong homestand, and a series against the Rays in which they won two of three.

R.A. Dickey takes the mound for the Jays, while Justin Masterson will pitch for the Indians.  Dickey has yet to face the Indians in 2014, but in 2013 he was 0-2 against them, despite a 3.75 ERA and the fact that the Indians hit just .217/.345/.370 against him.  Masterson had a solid start against the Jays back on April 18, allowing 2 ER on 6 hits over 6.1 innings pitched.  He had success against them last year as well – a 2.13 ERA as the Jays hit just .175/.340/.250.

Even though this road trip is already better than the last one in San Francisco and Anaheim, I’d like to see the Indians bring home a series victory from Toronto.

Lineups:

Indians:

Michael Bourn, CF

Nick Swisher, 1B

Michael Brantley, LF

Carlos Santana, 3B

Asdrubal Cabrera, SS

David Murphy, RF

Yan Gomes, C

Lonnie Chisenhall, DH

Mike Aviles, 2B

 

Blue Jays:

Jose Reyes, SS

Melky Cabrera, LF

Jose Bautista, RF

Adam Lind, DH

Edwin Encarnacion, 1B

Juan Francisco, 3B

Brett Lawrie, 2B

Josh Thole, C

Kevin Pillar, CF

 

12 Comments

  • Ben says:

    “Bourn and Swisher batting first and second? Outrageous! What are you thinking Francona?”

    There, now that that’s out of the way, the discussion can begin. 😉

  • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

    Kudos to the FO for not giving $17M to a guy who still cannot pitch to left-handed hitters…

  • Gvl Steve says:

    The problem with Masterson is a dramatic loss of velocity. To lose 4 MPH off one’s fastball in one year is a major red flag. He’s basically a soft tosser now, akin to Tomlin. He will not consistently dominate with a fastball that sits at 88 MPH and tops out at 90. There’s no way they pay him the money he was asking for now, and no way they go long term. What’s more likely is that he’s traded away if we’re still under .500 or more than five games out in two months.

    • Sean Porter says:

      What I can’t understand is why no one (local media/Indians themselves) is/was talking about Masterson’s startling drop in velocity, now or back in spring training? He’s gone from a guy who consistently threw 94-96 mph to now barely hitting 90 virtually overnight, yet the Indians aren’t concerned? He loses that much off his fastball and no one who follows him mentions it during spring training?

      I’ll say this – I was squarely behind Masterson getting the extension, but had I known that he’s lost 4-6mph off his fastball from last year, I wouldn’t had been. Masterson has been decent overall, but something’s amiss.

      • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

        You are finally seeing the light…don’t back away.

        • Sean Porter says:

          No, I’ve gained information that I didn’t, or the legion of anti-extension posters on here didn’t, have during or at the end of Spring Training.

          There was not one mention during the extension blow-up from anyone about Masterson’s startling dip in velocity. If someone would have brought up the point: “Look guys, the Indians are probably concerned about giving Masterson this extension considering he’s barely hit 90 this spring…”, it would have drastically changed my point of view.

          I’m sure you will try to say you did, but you didn’t. Just like you never posted on here anything about a 72 win season for the Tribe.

      • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

        Corey Kluber has already passed him in the rotation…or rather Masterson has been driving in reverse for too long.

        Masterson’s main advantage over Kluber (and others) last year was that he had more experience and tended to go deeper into games. Now that experience isn’t much of a factor. Kluber is going deeper into games, and heck, Kluber’s even THROWING HARDER. McAllister’s a weaker pitcher IMO from a “stuff” perspective, but his fastball command has improved – plus his velocity is up a little.

        Masterson is quickly losing ground just in the ROTATION.

        • The Doctor says:

          i’m not as wildly in love with 12 quality innings out of tomlin as some people are (which seems to ignore how ‘meh’ he’s been for the rest of his career), but it sure seems like masterson is currently battlingly with salazar for the desigination of crappiest starter.

          • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

            Tomlin won that 5th spot despite the crap coming from the team and PR people. Carrasco was basically given that spot…unfairly.

  • Gvl Steve says:

    Maybe they don’t want to suppress his trade value by making a big deal out of it. However, I doubt it is much of a secret.

  • The Doctor says:

    re: to Ghost of Joel Skinner – i completely agree with you, i’m just fascinated by how people are ready to annoint Josh Tomlin (he of the 4.82 career ERA) our sure-thing savior after 12 2/3 innings – particularly since we’ve seen how counting on salazar as a lights out sure thing has gone so far…

    • Ghost of Joel Skinner says:

      2012 was just awful for him. Tomlin is a double-edged sword – you’re going to get some fast, quick innings, but you are also going to have some long, long…..HR.

      He is what he is – Honestly, filler until other options come along.