Series Thread: Blue Jays @ White Sox | May 6-9
Posted: Wed May 5, 2010 8:39 pm
Thursday, May 6 8:10 PM ET
TOR Dana Eveland, LHP (2-1, 4.76) @ CWS John Danks, LHP (3-0, 1.85)
Blue Jays: Eveland labored through his last start vs. the A's on Saturday, giving up four earned runs on eight hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings. Really the only significant blemish was a two-run home run to shortstop Cliff Pennington in the fourth. After that, Eveland settled down and cruised through his remaining 2 2/3 innings, before being replaced by lefty Scott Downs. It appears Eveland's 1.93 ERA through his first three starts may have been a facade, but give the big left-hander credit for bouncing back late in his last outing. Against the Indians, Eveland is 2-0 lifetime with a 1.50 ERA in 12 innings.
White Sox: The left-hander showed his increasing mound confidence and veteran grit by battling through Saturday afternoon's balmy conditions at Yankee Stadium without his best stuff. The left-hander exited after five innings, allowing two runs on six hits over five innings, but elevating his pitch count to a season-high 118 pitches. Danks has limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in each of his first five starts. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last White Sox pitcher to accomplish the feat was Jose Contreras, who did so in his first six starts of 2006. Danks gave up one run over seven innings during a victory over the Blue Jays earlier this season at Rogers Centre, and has a career record of 1-2 against Toronto.
Friday, May 7 | 8:10 PM ET
TOR Shaun Marcum, RHP (1-1, 3.12) @ CWS Mark Buehrle, LHP (2-4, 5.30)
Blue Jays: Marcum's run of tough luck ended with his last start, in which he earned his first win since September 11, 2008, against the White Sox. Marcum, who missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery, went 6 1/3 innings against the A's, allowing a run on six hits and four walks. Marcum fanned six Oakland batters. In his previous five starts in 2010, Marcum had given up more than three runs only one time yet had nothing to show for it in the win column. The last time Marcum faced the Pale Hose, he gave up two runs in 7 1/3 innings on five hits and a walk, striking out six.
White Sox: Buehrle's recent struggles continued, as he lost his fourth straight decision overall on Sunday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. The left-hander was victimized by home runs from Brett Gardner and Robinson Cano, both left-handed hitters, and allowed five runs on 10 hits over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one, while throwing 93 pitches. Buehrle has given up 18 earned runs on 32 hits over 22 1/3 innings during this four-game skid. While Buehrle slipped to 1-7 lifetime against the Yankees, he brings a 5-3 career record against the Blue Jays into Friday's start and a 78-47 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.
Saturday, May 8 | 7:05 PM ET
TOR Brett Cecil, LHP (2-1, 2.61) @ CWS To be announced
Blue Jays: Cecil took a perfect game into the seventh inning in his last start, shutting down the Indians on the first game of the current road trip. Cecil's dominance set the tone in Toronto's 5-1 victory. Jhonny Peralta's RBI single in the seventh inning was the lone hit Cecil allowed in the eight innings he pitched and it scored the Tribe's lone run. Cecil walked two Indians batters and struck out 10. Cecil has faced the White Sox once, beating them on May 5, 2009. Chicago tagged Cecil for three runs on six hits and a pair of walks, and the lefty fanned two.
Sunday, May 9 | 2:05 PM ET
TOR Ricky Romero, LHP (3-1, 3.00) @ CWS To be announced
Blue Jays: Romero started strong against the Indians in his last outing, fanning five of the first six batters he faced. The lefty had to buckle down for the rest of his six innings, but he picked up his third win of the season, giving up five runs on nine hits and two walks. Romero finished with nine strikeouts against the Tribe but struggled with control, making three wild pitches and pushing his season total to 10. The last time Romero faced the White Sox, he made his signature outing of the young 2010 season, compiling 12 strikeouts and giving up two runs on a hit and two walks over eight innings.
<- I wonder what this moron will say about the team this time.