7:00 PM EST, RSN
Rogers Centre, Toronto ON.
Mike Maroth, LHP (1-0, 7.20)
Tigers (5-3)
Maroth wasn't as effective as he had hoped last Saturday in his first Tigers start since last May, but he was good enough to earn a victory behind a good day for Detroit's offense. The win wasn't as important to him as getting back into a healthy routine of starting once every five days, something he'll finally have a chance to do again, starting with the series opener in Toronto. He's 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA for his career at Rogers Centre, but he hasn't pitched there since 2005.
Tomo Ohka, RHP (0-0, 10.38 )
Blue Jays (5-3)
In his first atrt of the season, Ohka allowed five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against the Devil Rays on Saturday. The right-hander walked three, struck out one and yielded two home runs in the outing. Ohka is 0-1 with an 11.12 ERA in two career games against the Tigers. He's 2-0 with a 2.74 ERA all-time at the Rogers Centre.
1. Granderson, CF
2. Polanco, 2B
3. Sheffield, RF
4. Ordonez, DH
5. Guillen, SS
6. Casey, 1B
7. Monroe, LF
8. Rabelo, C
9. Inge, 3B
1. Rios, RF
2. Stairs, LF
3. Wells, CF
4. Thomas, DH
5. Glaus, 3B
6. Hill, 2B
7. Zaun, C
8. Clayton, SS
9. Phillips, 1B
The Blue Jays are preparing for their first true test of the 2007 season. With an upcoming schedule that includes 14 games in 15 nights against the likes of Detroit, Boston, and New York, the Jays are about to be pushed to the limit.
It all starts on Thursday night, when Toronto opens a four-game series against the Tigers. It's the second set the teams have played against each other in as many weeks. The Jays could be catching Detroit at the right time, too. It took the Tigers 12 innings to defeat the Orioles on Wednesday night and the team won't arrive in Toronto until early Thursday morning.
After the upcoming series is over, the Jays will face the Tigers in only one more game this season - a makeup contest scheduled for Sept. 10 in Detroit. Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill thinks getting the defending American League champs out of the way early could be a good thing for his ballclub.
"They've got great pitching and you'd hate to run across that later on when they've really got the kinks worked out," Hill said. "Hopefully, we run into them and their pitchers make some mistakes that they might not make later in the season."
The Tigers are known for their pitching, but they possess a revamped offense that can give opposing pitchers headaches. Detroit's lineup has started off slow, hitting just .236 (65-for-276) with six home runs and 31 RBIs in eight games, but Jays manager John Gibbons knows that slump won't last.
"They were the champions in the American League last year, better than anyone else, Gibbons said. "Adding [Gary] Sheffield into that lineup makes them that much better."
Tomo Ohka will get the call in Game 1 for the Blue Jays. Ohka struggled in his first start of the season versus Tampa Bay. Coming off of seven days' rest, the 31-year-old battled control problems, surrendering five runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Countering for the Tigers will be left-hander Mike Maroth. The 29-year-old has not enjoyed much success over his career versus the Jays. He is 3-3 with a 6.97 ERA over 41 1/3 innings of work.
"He's going to mix his pitches up -- he's got good stuff," said Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay. "It's a matter of getting our pitch and going after him. The first couple times through the order we'll get a feel for what he's got and go after him."
Pitching matchup
DET: LHP Mike Maroth (1-0, 7.20 ERA)
Maroth will be making his first appearance at Rogers Centre since 2005. He's 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA for his career inside the dome.
TOR: RHP Tomo Ohka (0-0, 10.38 ERA)
In two career appearances versus the Tigers, Ohka has surrendered seven runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings of work.
Player to watch
Left fielder Reed Johnson has had a lot of success versus Maroth throughout his career. The 30-year-old is batting .412 (7-for-17) with two home runs and four RBIs versus the lefty. Johnson is currently riding a six-game hitting streak.
On television
RSN
On radio
FAN 590 AM
Up next
Friday: Tigers (RHP Jeremy Bonderman, 0-0, 3.75) at Blue Jays (RHP Roy Halladay, 1-0, 3.46), 7:07 p.m. ET
Saturday: Tigers (RHP Chad Durbin, 0-1, 11.57) at Blue Jays (RHP A.J. Burnett, 1-1, 7.27), 1:07 p.m. ET
Sunday: Tigers (LHP Nate Robertson, 2-0, 1.38 ) at Blue Jays (RHP Josh Towers, 0-1, 4.76), 1:07 p.m. ET
