GDT(1/3): Toronto Blue Jays @ Kansas City Royals - McGowan vs. Vargas - 8:10 PM ET

[fatcowxlive]

http://i.imgur.com/ZjCkFtr.png

 

Pitching Matchup:

 

http://i.imgur.com/xaSxC1c.png

SP - Dustin McGowan (17.0 IP, 7 BB, 6.88 K/9, 3.71 BB/9, .329 BAA, .368 BABIP, 5.62 FIP) [R]

http://i.imgur.com/JVFhNxQ.png

 

http://i.imgur.com/IuSspUm.png

SP - Jason Vargas (35.0 IP, 8 BB, 4.03 K/9, 2.06 BB/9, .214 BAA, .229 BABIP, 3.94 FIP) [L]

http://i.imgur.com/NPol0lP.png

 

Lineups:

http://i.imgur.com/57eDHaq.png

Make your picks for the first homer contest hosted by Dylan! (Click the image below!)

http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t538/BlueJays20131/hr2_zps4bac6d4f.png

 

Jays Batting:

 

Team Batting:

http://i.imgur.com/TMdBJsK.png

 

Batting Projections (Streamer RoS):

http://i.imgur.com/JObf9qk.png

 

Team Pitching:

http://i.imgur.com/nqTd8Qq.png

 

Royals Batting:

 

Team Batting:

http://i.imgur.com/UH0NppH.png

 

Batting Projections (Streamer RoS):

http://i.imgur.com/I7CxKme.png

 

Team Pitching:

http://i.imgur.com/SuuYJYk.png

 

Notes:

 

MLB:

• No Important Notes Today.
  

 

Jays:

• Dustin McGowan earned his first win since 2008 with a strong showing in a 2-0 victory at Baltimore on April 11, but he's allowed 13 runs in his other three starts spanning just 10.2 innings. He started to tire after surrendering six runs in four-plus innings in Wednesday's 10-8 loss to the Orioles. He could be moved to the bullpen if he can't get on track. He's averaged 79 pitches a start thus far.
  
• Melky Cabrera just needs one more hit to set the club record for most hits during March and April. Cabrera tied the franchise mark at 39 with a pair of hits during Sunday's 7-1 victory over the Red Sox. He's tied with Shea Hillenbrand (2005) and Shannon Stewart (2001), but can take sole ownership over the impressive feat with a hit either Tuesday or Wednesday. He already became the first player in franchise history to record at least one hit in all but one of the club's first 25 games. He's riding a 10-game hitting streak and has 12 multihit games while posting an impressive .345 average.
  
• Bautista has reached base safely in all of Toronto's 25 games. He's riding an eight-game hitting streak and has reached base in 52 of his 112 plate appearances, which equates to a .464 on-base percentage. Brett Lawrie is hitting just .179, but seven of his 17 hits (41%) have gone for extra bases. He leads the team with 20 RBIs and trails only Jose Bautista for the most home runs with six.
  
• Toronto took 10 of 14 from the Royals over the previous two seasons, including six of seven in Kansas City
  

 

Royals:

• Vargas is looking to open 3-0 as a starter for the first time after allowing two earned runs or fewer in each of his first five outings. Vargas yielded three runs - two earned - in six innings in Wednesday's 5-3 loss at Cleveland. The left-hander, holding opponents to a .214 average, has walked just eight in 35 innings.
  
• The KC Royals return home after taking two of three against Baltimore. Omar Infante went deep and matched a career high with six RBIs in Sunday's 9-3 victory. The Royals are 12-0 when scoring at least four runs compared to 0-12 when they don't.
  
• Alex Gordon drew his 360th walk Sunday, tying him for 10th place on the Royals' all-time list. Alcides Escobar has hit safely in six of his last seven games and was 7-for-24 on the Royals' road trip.
  

 

Standings:

http://i.imgur.com/ttAai9d.png

 

Venue:

http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/Diag/KauffmanStadium.gif

 

I hope you guys enjoy the GDT! Please leave feedback and ideas/improvements for future GDTs!

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Go Jays Go! Let's get it started in here!

[Angrioter]

Welcome Stro; Good Bye Redmond

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Stroman now 6 innings, 0H,1Bb and 10 f***ing strikeouts!

[Muck Bartinez]

Interesting that there's no Sierra vs LHP Vargas. Is it possible that those in charge realize he blows? Also interesting is Getz starts over Diaz despite not having the platoon advantage.

[baconpancakes]

except for Lind, this lineup is as good as we get.

This lineup deserves better pitching.

lets go boys.

[G-Snarls]

Go Marcus... ER, I mean Dustin!

[jays4life19]

I really hope this doesn't get rained out.

[G-Snarls]

Interesting that there's no Sierra vs LHP Vargas. Is it possible that those in charge realize he blows?.

 

I sure hope so

 

Honestly, would anyone even claim him off waivers right now if they tried to option him??

[GoldBull]

Is Ventura scheduled to start this series?

 

Yes - Thursday vs Buehrle

[GoldBull]

I didn't realize how terrible of a season that Billy Butler is having. Holy s***.

[jays4life19]

Really hope Dustin has a great game here.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

f*** nice Zuan rant there! Crap and crap I agree with him. Fade to black! Lol

[TheHurl]

Zaun ripping into the jays on the pregame show

 

If he had any sense of intelligence in what he was saying it might have an impact. Pretty much saying that the Minors can't tell you anything about a player

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Stroman out after 6 and 80 pitches!

[Stangstag]

Zaun was mostly right, except he disregarded the fact that AA wants to compete THIS year.

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

If he had any sense of intelligence in what he was saying it might have an impact. Pretty much saying that the Minors can't tell you anything about a player

 

Actually he had a few good points, not pulling any punches in what he had too say!

[TheHurl]

f*** nice Zuan rant there! Crap and crap I agree with him. Fade to black! Lol

 

So you agree that we need Goins to have 300 PA's to see if he can hit major league pitching? And that we need to know by 2015 what we have? How is it that most people on this board had a pretty good clue what we had with this team...the F.O. said they knew where there were holes...but now we have to wait for 2015. If Goins goes back down to AAA and hits .289/.340/.400 like he did in 2012 do we go with him again as a starter in 2015?

 

You don't spend $135M on payroll looking towards next year

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Chill hurl, have a rum! this isn't all about Ryan f***ing goins! Neither was Zuans rant! Lol

That's what he said too so actually you are in agreement with Zuan too!

[TheHurl]

I get annoyed when he rants...I just don't like his inability to form a consistent opinion. Rum is my angry drink. You don't want me on Rum.

[G-Snarls]

Holy empty seats at Yankee stadium

[Dylan]

Lets go Blue Jays! Hope the game gets played

[derp.]

first pitch is to be at 8:35 now

[Convo]

Holy empty seats at Yankee stadium

 

Is it some kind of statement against Cano or the Yankees organization??

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

I get annoyed when he rants...I just don't like his inability to form a consistent opinion. Rum is my angry drink. You don't want me on Rum.

 

Cool that's me on Rye ! Lol tommy two feathers! Lol

[Angrioter]

first pitch is to be at 8:35 now

 

McGowan lucky bastard!!

[Dylan]

Lets go mariners!

[derp.]

Heard Cano had a nice reception on his return.....

[8D]

Stroman out after 6 and 80 pitches!

 

Saving pitches for later on in the season w/ the Jays?

[BigBounceyBlueBalls]

Is it wrong to be a boston fan for three days cheering for a sweep! I feel so dirty! Lol