Dice-K mania comes to Toronto
Boston (6-4) at Toronto (7-5), Tuesday, 7:07 p.m. ET
Dice-K mania is about to invade Toronto.
Red Sox starter and Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to take the hill against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre. Matsuzaka was originally supposed to pitch on Monday against the Angels, but that changed when the Red Sox had a game against the Mariners rained out last week. As a result, Matsuzaka's start was pushed back by one day.
"I saw him in Spring Training a lot, obviously. All his games were on TV," Jays center fielder Vernon Wells said. "I'm sure he's going to be as good as advertised. We'll just have to be better."
Blue Jays hitters will be facing Matsuzaka for the first time. Wells saw the right-hander pitch in 2004 when he headed overseas for Major League Baseball's Japan All-Star series. Wells doesn't expect that limited experience to be much use on Tuesday, though.
"Nothing helps until you get into the box against guys you haven't seen before," Wells said. "It takes a couple of at-bats to get an idea of what all their pitches are and what they're going to do. He's going to be no different."
Matsuzaka has looked impressive so far this season. In his last start, he surrendered three runs on eight hits over seven innings of work against the Mariners. He's struck out 14 and walked only two in his first two outings, in which opponents have posted a .240 batting average against him.
Countering for Toronto will be left-hander Gustavo Chacin. The 26-year-old does not have overpowering stuff, but he's continued to do enough to win. The lefty picked up the victory in his last start versus the Royals, giving up three runs on five hits over five innings.
If there is a save opportunity for the Jays on Tuesday night, manager John Gibbons will hand the ball to Jason Frasor. The 29-year-old was named the new Jays closer after B.J. Ryan was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left elbow. The role will be familiar to Frasor, who recorded 17 saves with a 4.08 ERA for Toronto in 2004.
"Frasor's the guy we're going to turn it over to," said Gibbons, who could also turn to Casey Janssen, Shaun Marcum or others for additional help. "They'll all have a hand in it somehow, but Frasor is the one with the experience heading in."
Third baseman Troy Glaus could make his return to the lineup on Tuesday. He has been day-to-day with a tight hamstring and a bone spur in his left heel. Glaus last appeared in a game on Thursday, but had to leave in the third inning because of the injuries. If Glaus is still unable to play, Toronto will consider placing him on the 15-day DL.
