ST: Angels @ Blue Jays | Aug 23-25

[Xaos]

Game 1: LAA - Tyler Skaggs (1-2, 5.19) TOR - R.A. Dickey (8-13, 4.51) WIN
Game 2: LAA - Matt Shoemaker (7-13, 4.14) TOR - Marco Estrada (7-5, 3.20)
Game 3: LAA - Jered Weaver (8-11, 5.47) TOR - J.A. Happ (17-3, 3.05)

LA Angeles
Road record (23-39)
vs East (9-18)
Last 10 (3-7)

Toronto Blue Jays
Home record (36-26)
vs West (13-10)
Last 10 (6-4)

[RapsFanInVA]

With Boston's easy schedule we need to take advantage of this Angels-Twins homestand, at least 5-1

[Jays4WS]

[Raptor_Guy]

With Boston's easy schedule we need to take advantage of this Angels-Twins homestand, at least 5-1

I'm not usually one to expect sweeps since bad teams still win 40% of the time..but yea this is our last easy stretch of schedule before we head into an AL East dogfight for most of September. Gotta pad the record while we can.

[JaysRule15]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

[phillipmike]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby benching returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

Easy... Saunders to DH

Travis 2B
Donaldson 3B
Bautista RF
EE 1B
Tulo SS
Martin C
Saunders DH
Upton LF
Pillar CF

[JaysRule15]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby benching returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

Easy... Saunders to DH

Travis 2B
Donaldson 3B
Bautista RF
EE 1B
Tulo SS
Martin C
Saunders DH
Upton LF
Pillar CF

Yeah, that seems to be the best lineup. But it would mean EE playing 1B regularly though, and that's something the organization has tried to avoid since its led to back issues for him in the past.

[phillipmike]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby benching returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

Easy... Saunders to DH

Travis 2B
Donaldson 3B
Bautista RF
EE 1B
Tulo SS
Martin C
Saunders DH
Upton LF
Pillar CF

Yeah, that seems to be the best lineup. But it would mean EE playing 1B regularly though, and that's something the organization has tried to avoid since its led to back issues for him in the past.

For whatever reason his defense at 1B has been getting better as the season goes on. He is actually an asset at 1B now plus his slugging is 100 points higher when he plays 1B vs DHing. He always has said he prefers to play the field vs DHing and the numbers prove that.

[zilby]

If Edwin is willing and physically able to play 1B on an everyday basis, you do it. Melvin seems to be improving as Saunders continues his freefall, I wouldn't mind putting him at DH to give him a little extra rest and get his defense out of the field. Plus, it's a move that makes us not have to watch Justin Smoak swing over every single breaking ball. My guess is that once we're fully healthy, and provided Melvin is swinging a decent bat, he'll play every day and Bautista and Saunders will take turns as the DH. Bautista to get healthier and not have to watch his terrible defense, Saunders to get him rest and also to not have to watch his terrible defense.

Travis/Donaldson/Bautista/Edwin/Tulo/Russ/Upton/Saunders/Pillar. Roll with it.

[The_Hater]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby benching returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

Easy... Saunders to DH

Travis 2B
Donaldson 3B
Bautista RF
EE 1B
Tulo SS
Martin C
Saunders DH
Upton LF
Pillar CF

Yeah, that seems to be the best lineup. But it would mean EE playing 1B regularly though, and that's something the organization has tried to avoid since its led to back issues for him in the past.

Everyone will still get to play. The lineup changes everyday just as it has all season with Gibby. It will also change daily based on if there's a LHP or RHP on the mound, which hitters have a strong or weak history vs the opposing starter and who gets hot or cold over the final few weeks.

[Randle McMurphy]

They're not benching one of their best hitters because he's slumping for Melvin Upton. Saunders will play more often than not.

[bluerap23]

Easy... Saunders to DH

Travis 2B
Donaldson 3B
Bautista RF
EE 1B
Tulo SS
Martin C
Saunders DH
Upton LF
Pillar CF

Yeah, that seems to be the best lineup. But it would mean EE playing 1B regularly though, and that's something the organization has tried to avoid since its led to back issues for him in the past.

Everyone will still get to play. The lineup changes everyday just as it has all season with Gibby. It will also change daily based on if there's a LHP or RHP on the mound, which hitters have a strong or weak history vs the opposing starter and who gets hot or cold over the final few weeks.

True. I expect to finally see Jose at first as well. I'm sure the DH will be rotating as it has been with Jose getting a bunch of those. Upton should be playing in the OF regularly as he is a far superior defender to both Saunders and Jose.

[bluerap23]

With Upton finally starting to hit (and hitting a few clutch homers these past few games), does Pillar and Bautista's return later this week push Saunders to the bench? Or at least, pushes Saunders into a platoon role with Upton? I can't see Gibby returning Upton to a 4th OF role when Saunders has been a black hole on defense and hasn't provided much at the plate for a month now.

August 19 19 79 74 13 14 3 0 4 8 3 0 3 18 .189 .231 .392 .623 29 1 1 1 0 0 1 .192 66 69
Sept/Oct 22 22 94 83 11 21 4 2 5 14 3 1 11 23 .253 .340 .530 .871 44 1 0 0 0 0 0 .291 134 139

Saunders numbers from 2012. He had a similar late season slump in 2013. He will bounce back.

[The_Hater]

True. I expect to finally see Jose at first as well. I'm sure the DH will be rotating as it has been with Jose getting a bunch of those. Upton should be playing in the OF regularly as he is a far superior defender to both Saunders and Jose.

They absolutely need to get Jose some reps at 1B but I have a feeling it isn't going to happen. There was a game a few weeks back where it made absolutely sense to move Jose to 1B after some pinch hitting/pinch running moves and Gibby still didn't do it. I think he moved Edwin to 1B from DH instead which of course puts the pitchers bat in the lineup

[pilkoids]

Speaking of Saunders, he's 2-3 against Skaggs with a SLG% of 1.33 and OPS of 2.08 against him... maybe a good outing for him tonight?

[BigLeagueChew]

Darwin Barney (R) 2B
Josh Donaldson (R) 3B
Edwin Encarnacion (R) 1B
Russell Martin (R) DH
Troy Tulowitzki (R) SS
Melvin Upton Jr. (R) LF
Kevin Pillar (R) CF
Michael Saunders (L) RF
Josh Thole (L) C

Good lineup vs a lefty, martin dh while Thole catches. Off day for Travis.

[zilby]

Barney hitting leadoff, yuck.

[vaff87]

Angels line up looks like the Jays line up when they sit half the team.

[vaff87]

Mike Trout is my favourite non-Jay.

[zilby]

Barney hitting leadoff, hooray!