Toronto (44-57) @ Tampa Bay Devil Rays (48-53)

[renuszm]

After the Jays lost 2 of 3 against the Yankees, we continue this run of games against the D-Rays and the Yanks. Toronto is still in the basement of the AL East and Tampa occupies the Jays old spot of 3rd in the division. Time to gain some more ground on them!

Josh Towers (5-3, 4.68) vs. John Halama (4-4, 4.59) I believe the Jays solved Halama the last time we faced him and Towers is in somewhat of a run. I still dont trust Towers however.

David Bush (1-1, 2.00) vs. Victor Zambrano (9-7, 4.43) Will Zambrano even be here for this start? Trade rumors are surrounding him and the deadline is approaching, so dont be surprised if another pitcher takes the mound for Tampa. Bush is on a roll, and looks untouchable

Sean Douglass (0-0, 4.00) vs. Dewon Brazelton (3-3, 3.07) No one really knows how Douglass will do, Dewon Brazelton is Tampa's ace of the future--today. He's posted some good numbers so I wouldnt count on Douglass to win this game.

[renuszm]

Will Zambrano even be here for this start? Trade rumors are surrounding him and the deadline is approaching, so dont be surprised if another pitcher takes the mound for Tampa.


BINGO!! Great prediction by me as Zambrano gets shipped to the Mets.

[renuszm]

Jays take game 1 of the series after a great performance by Josh Towers. John Halama was good, but not Towers good. Towers improves to 6-3 after going 7 shutout innings and giving up 2 hits, 0 ER, 1 BB and striking out 4. Vinny Chulk and Jason Frasor proceeded to pitch two scoreless innings afterwards. Frasor picked up his 13th save of the season.
The offense came off the bat of Josh Phelps who hit 2 homeruns, and 3 RBI's which was enough to win it 3-0.

[oli500]

what a performance by phelps in game one. I still dont get why tosca dosent have his full confidence yet. I mean everytime the guy sits out 2 our 3 games and he comes back, he allways seems to be producing somewhat. They better not sit him in the next few games.

[renuszm]

Phelps is chasing the team lead in homers which is obviously down from last year. His batting average is low, but he still produces, and occaisonally has a game like last night.

[renuszm]

Game 2 didnt go so well. Bush got rocked for the first time in his career and the Jays lost 6-5. On a good note, the bullpen did well cleaning up, Nakamura, Speier and newcomer Kevin Frederick didnt give up a hit for the rest of the game. Carlos Delgado hoemred twice and Eric Hinske did as well. Robert Fick hit Tampa's only homer.