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Kansas City Royals @ Toronto Blue Jays
7:00 PM EST, RSN
Rogers Centre, Toronto ON.
Jorge De La Rosa, LHP (1-0, 1.29)
Royals (3-5)
De La Rosa threw one of the best games of his career Friday night. Pitching in freezing temperatures, he allowed just one second-inning run and rarely allowed a runner past second base in seven strong frames. The outing set a career high in innings pitched, surpassing his 6 2/3-inning effort on Sept. 19, 2006, against the Angels. The lefty must have good command, especially with his fastball, to be successful.
Gustavo Chacin, LHP (0-0, 4.50)
Blue Jays (4-3)
Throughout the spring, Chacin worked on increasing his tempo on the mound, and as a result, he looked sharp on Friday. He allowed three home runs -- all solo shots -- but was able to induce 10 groundouts and earn praise from manager John Gibbons. Chacin has had just one career start against Kansas City, but it was a successful one, as he earned the win after allowing one run on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings.
1. Johnson, LF
2. Overbay, 1B
3. Wells, CF
4. Thomas, DH
5. Glaus, 3B
6. Rios, RF
7. Hill, 2B
8. Zaun, C
9. Clayton, SS
1. Dejesus, CF
2. German, 2B
3. Teahen, RF
4. Sanders, DH
5. Brown, LF
6. Gordon, 3B
7. Shealy, 1B
8. LaRue, C
9. Pena, SS
Gustavo Chacin is going to have a successful 2007 campaign, it may come down to one thing: tempo.
The Blue Jays have been working hard on trying to get their lefty to pitch faster in order to minimize his pitch count. The 26-year-old was able to make some progress in that area during his first start of the year on Friday versus Tampa Bay, scattering three runs on six hits over six innings of work.
To keep that trend going on Thursday against the Royals, Jays catcher Jason Phillips thinks Chacin needs to set the tone early.
"The first inning [is most important]," Phillips said. "When you go out there and get a few guys on base, it definitely slows down the game and your tempo. If he can get through that inning and set the tone 1-2-3, I think that's the biggest key."
The Blue Jays' bats will try to bounce back after scoring just three runs Tuesday night -- their lowest output of the season. Taking the hill for the Royals will be 26-year-old left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who has never faced Toronto.
Pitching matchup
KC: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
De La Rosa is coming off an impressive performance against the Angels. He allowed just one run over seven innings of work, the longest outing of his career.
TOR: LHP Gustavo Chacin (0-0, 4.50 ERA)
Chacin did not face the Royals at all in 2006 and has pitched against them only once in his career. During the 2005 season he earned a win after allowing one run on seven hits over 7 2/3 innings.
Player to watch
Second baseman Aaron Hill has been a catalyst for the lower part of the Blue Jays order so far this season. He is batting .333 with one home run and six RBIs in seven games. He's also experienced a lot of success versus the Royals during his three-year career. In 15 games against Kansas City, the 25-year-old is hitting .316 (18-for-57).
