Series Thread: Athletics @ Blue Jays | April 29 - May 2
Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:31 pm
Thursday, April 29 | 7:07 PM ET
OAK Justin Duchscherer, RHP (2-0, 1.82) @ TOR Ricky Romero, LHP (1-1, 1.80)
Athletics: Duchscherer gave up five hits and four walks with two strikeouts over six shutout innings in his last start against the visiting Indians on Friday en route to upping his season mark to 2-0 while lowering his ERA to 1.32. The four free passes marked something of a rarity for the A's righty, but he eased the damage by forcing Cleveland to hit into four double-play balls. Furthermore, it marked the second time in his last three outings he's lasted into at least the sixth frame on fewer than 100 pitches. In 11 career games -- just one start -- against Toronto, Duchscherer is 1-0 with a 3.09 ERA.
Blue Jays: Romero has been spectacular this season, but also unlucky. In all four of his starts he has managed to go at least seven innings, not once allowing more than two earned runs. However, if it's not poor run support, it's the bullpen letting Romero down as the sophomore only has one win to show for his four quality starts. In Romero's last outing against the Rays on Saturday, he went seven strong, allowing two earned runs on six hits, before reliever Scott Downs coughed up three runs in the eighth. With luck on his side, Romero will to earn his second win of the season against the Athletics, against whom he has a 2-0 record with a sparkling 1.29 ERA.
Friday, April 30 | 7:07 PM ET
OAK To be announced @ TOR Brandon Morrow, RHP (1-2, 6.14)
Athletics: This was supposed to be Brett Anderson's start, but he's on the DL with a strained flexor tendon in his left arm. As of late Wednesday night, the A's had yet to announce who would replace the southpaw against the Jays.
Blue Jays: Statistically Morrow has looked like a different pitcher in his past two starts, giving up only two earned runs over 13 innings, while recording 16 strikeouts over that span. That being said, Morrow still displayed some of the control issues that have plagued him in the past. Against the Rays on Sunday, Morrow walked six batters over six innings and was bailed out on several occasions by catcher Jose Molina, who threw out a career-high four baserunners. It is imperative that Morrow maintain his high strikeout rate; on several occasions against the Rays he was able to prevent a potential big inning by stranding baserunners. Morrow is 2-0 against the Athletics with a 4.13 ERA over 32 2/3 career innings.
Saturday, May 1 | 1:07 PM ET
OAK Gio Gonzalez, LHP (2-1, 3.68) @ TOR Dana Eveland, LHP (2-0, 4.57)
Athletics: Gonzalez tossed what was arguably his finest performance of the season thus far -- a seven-inning shutout performance against the Indians, who garnered just five hits off the A's lefty. The seven innings pitched tied a career high, and Gonzalez also struck out three in the winning effort. He had walked a combined 10 batters in his previous three starts, but Gonzalez offered up just two free passes in the outing. After the game, A's manager Bob Geren mentioned Gonzalez had remarkable life on his fastball and used his always impressive breaking ball often while mixing in a few changeups to offset his other two pitches. In his lone career start against the Blue Jays in 2008, Gonzalez gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in a loss.
Blue Jays: Eveland fell back down to earth in his last start against Boston on Monday, giving up seven earned runs in just three innings as the Blue Jays fell to the Red Sox, 13-12. Somehow, Eveland managed to escape without the loss as Red Sox ace Josh Beckett blew a five-run lead and was yanked after just three-plus innings. Going into that contest, Eveland spotted a dazzling 1.93 ERA, but left with an ERA of 4.57 -- what a difference a night can make. Eveland's next outing will come against his former club, the Oakland Athletics, whom he's never faced.
Sunday, May 2 | 1:07 PM ET
OAK To be announced @ TOR Shaun Marcum, RHP (0-1, 3.44)
Blue Jays: Marcum can't do much more to earn a win. He's already had four quality starts in five outings and has pitched at least seven innings in all but one appearance. On Tuesday night against the Red Sox, it was a familiar scene as the Blue Jays' bullpen collapsed and walked across the winning run in a 2-1 loss. Marcum went seven innings, allowing only one run in the losing effort. While Marcum has made it clear that wins are something he can't entirely control, he has not won a game since April 11, 2008 -- prior to undergoing Tommy John surgery. Marcum is 1-1 lifetime against the Athletics, with a 4.15 ERA over 21 2/3 innings.
I understand I made the last series thread, but if no one is willing to step up to the plate...
