The 7-3 (4-2 on the road) Toronto Blue Jays take on the Minnesota Twins at 8:10 pm EST tonight as part of our Baseball Instinct Game of the day!
TV: Blue Jays - SNET, Twins – FSN HD, MLB Network, On the Net – MLB.tv
Radio: Blue Jays – FAN 590, Twins – Radio TRN . As always you can catch all games on MLB Game Day Audio.
Here’s a closer fantasy look at the game of the day!
Probable Blue Jays starting pitcher: RHP Roy Halladay (2-0, 3.86 ERA in 2009)
As reported by CBS – The Toronto Blue Jays are in position to win their third consecutive series to open 2009. With Roy Halladay’s turn in the rotation up next, there’s a good chance for that to happen.
On Thursday, Halladay looks to win his third straight start and help the Blue Jays take a four-game road series from the Minnesota Twins, a team he’s never lost to during his career.
Toronto (7-3) beat Minnesota 12-2 on Wednesday and has won two of the first three in the set, while improving to 4-2 on a seven-game road trip.
Though it’s very early, the Blue Jays – second in the majors with 68 runs – sit atop the AL East standings after winning 86 games to finish fourth in the division last season.
“We’re all thrilled,” Halladay said. “We’ve scored a lot of runs and our pitching has been pretty good. It’s a matter of keeping all of that going.”
Halladay (2-0, 3.86 ERA) has certainly contributed to the team’s early success. A 20-game winner and the runner up to Cleveland’s Cliff Lee in the 2008 AL Cy Young Award balloting, Halladay allowed one run and five hits while striking out seven in seven innings to out pitch Lee in the Blue Jays’ 5-4 win over the Indians on Saturday.
“That’s Doc,” Toronto manager Cito Gaston said of the right-hander. “You kind of expect that out of him.”
Probable Twins starting pitcher: LHP Francisco Liriano (0-2, 6.94 ERA in 2009)
According to Jordan Haimowitz of Betfirms, The Twins send their “ace” to the mound tonight, Francisco Liriano. In his first two starts Liriano has struggled massively. he is 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA in two starts against the White Sox and the Mariners. Liriano started 10 games last season and none of them were against Toronto. This is a big game for the Twins. This is the final game of the four game series between these two teams, the Blue Jays have won two of the first three, tonight, although the Twins need it, may not be any different.
Fantasy hitting studs for the Blue jays: OF Alex Rios. OF Vernon Wells seems to be healthy and could push his way into the studliest of outfielders. 2B Aaron is off to a good start seems to overcome a fluke head injury that cost him almost all of last season.
Who’s hot: Halladay has thrown 14 innings, striking out 9 while gaining 2 wins. SP David Purcey has given up 6 runs in his 2 games started, which isn’t impressive, however the 15 k’s he has to go with it, is.
Who’s not: SP Jesse Litsch. Add another Blue Jay’s sp to the DL. Litsch was thought to be some what promising heading into the season, but after 2 starts his given up 9 runs and 9 innings. He will have a couple weeks to heal and get his ship back on course.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Brett Cecil. Cecil came in at #80 on our 2009 Baseball Instinct top prospect list. He’s likely to get a shot at the rotation this season. Check out our latest Fantasy Baseball Man-Crush, featuring Brett Cecil.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Twins: RP Joe Nathan. SP Francisco Liriano has the stuff to be a stud, but can he stay healthy? SP Scott Baker shouldn’t be confused as studly ace, but he should do fine in the middle of most fantasy rotations.
Who’s hot: SP Glen Perkins is 0-1 despite sporting a 1.69 era and 8 k’s in 16 innings.
Who’s not: RP Phil Humber. He was part of the Johan Santana trade. It had been hoped that he could compete for a rotation spot, but at this point he’s sporting a 12.46 era in 4 innings on the season.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Kevin Slowey. The 24 year old is off to a horrible start, however he has the stuff to be a decent #3 for the Twins. More importantly, he can be had cheap in most fantasy leagues right now and should provide support to the back end of your rotation.
Interestingly enough: The Blue Jays are 4-6 in there last 10 games on Thursday. They are 6-4 before playing Oakland, and are 4-6 following a win. The Twins are 6-4 in their last 10 games on Thursday. They are 4-6 before playing the Angels, and 6-4 after a loss.
KEY STAT: Toronto is 8-3 in their last 11 games following a victory. The Twins have an excellent home record, they are 37-16 in their last 53 home games. However, The Blue Jays are 20-7 in the last 27 meetings between these two teams. The Jays send if not the best pitcher in baseball, one of the top three to the mound tonight. He should be dominating.
CONNECTIONS: Blue Jays C Rod Barajas and Twins SP R.A. Dickey played together from 2004 to 2006 on the Rangers. Blue Jays DH/1B Kevin Millar and Twins C Mike Redmond played together from 1998 to 2002 on the Marlins.
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