GDT HOME OPENER Apr 8 - Red Sox @ Blue Jays - Kelly vs. Stroman

[Cyborg]

Red Sox

Joe Kelly ®

 

1. Mookie Betts ® RF

2. Dustin Pedroia ® 2B

3. Xander Bogaerts ® SS

4. David Ortiz (L) DH

5. Hanley Ramirez ® 1B

6. Travis Shaw (L) 3B

7. Brock Holt (L) LF

8. Ryan Hanigan ® C

9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF

 

 

Blue Jays

Marcus Stroman ®

 

1. Kevin Pillar ® CF

2. Josh Donaldson ® DH

3. Jose Bautista ® RF

4. Edwin Encarnacion ® 1B

5. Troy Tulowitzki ® SS

6. Michael Saunders (L) LF

7. Russell Martin ® C

8. Ryan Goins (L) 2B

9. Darwin Barney ® 3B

 

 

Game Notes:

 

There are home-opening series and then there are “Holy Crap” home-opening series. The Toronto Blue Jays‘ 2016 domestic debut is definitely worthy of the latter characterization, even without a showing from the most prominent ex-Jay in the Majors.

 

The Blue Birds (2-2) will get the Rogers Centre party started by hosting the Boston Red Sox (1-1) for a three-game set beginning Friday night. This series was supposed to be all about the return of former Toronto ace David Price, but a rainout on Thursday night pushed back everybody in Boston’s rotation. Still, anybody who didn’t pick the Jays to win the American League East likely selected the Sox, thanks largely to their off-season signing of the best free-agent starter available.

 

An off-day Thursday means Marcus Stroman, in addition to getting the ball on opening day versus the Rays, will also toe the rubber in the Jays’ first home contest. The ‘Stro Show’ was throwing darts in Tampa Bay, going eight-plus innings to pick up his first W.

 

As you may have heard by now, Stroman doesn’t exactly suffer from a competitive-spirit deficiency and with his old buddy Price watching from the other dugout, he’ll be all kinds of fired up for this assignment.

 

Designated hitter David Ortiz is retiring from MLB at season’s end and appears intent on going out with a bang. Ortiz smacked a pair of dingers in Boston’s two-game, abbreviated series in Cleveland. Even at age 40, the franchise face remains a dangerous man at the dish.

 

While the dominant off-season storyline in Boston was the inking of Price to a seven-year, $217-million contract and the sacrifice of some top-level prospects to get high-end closer Craig Kimbrel from the San Diego Padres, there was already an interesting mix on the roster.

 

Hanley Ramirez, who—along with Pablo Sandoval—had a miserable Red Sox debut last season, is looking for a fresh start at a new position. After appearing lost in left field, Ramirez was moved to first base and the early returns have been decent. Sandoval, meanwhile, lost his starting job at third to Travis Shaw in spring training. Shaw is just one of a handful of promising up-and-comers in the Boston lineup, though right fielder Mookie Betts and shortstop Xander Bogaerts have already arrived as big-time contributors.

 

Without having to face Price, the Jays could feast on the 3-4-5 guys in the Sox rotation. Joe Kelly went 8-0 in his final nine starts of 2015 and Boston desperately needs him to carry over that success. Rick Porcello also showed signs of life near the end of the season, while knuckleballer Steven Wright is just trying to take advantage of a shot in the rotation as lefty Eduardo Rodriguez recovers from a knee injury. If these three don’t have the right stuff this weekend, Toronto could tee off.

[43211234]

Donaldson DHing and Saunders playing LF.

 

I'll take it.

[intrigid]

Dan Shulman calling the game!

[Angrioter]

Es un gran día para ser fanático de los Azulejos de Toronto!!

[G-Snarls]

So pumped for this

[BigCecil]

Donaldson DHing and Saunders playing LF.

 

I'll take it.

 

Me too. Smart move by Gibby. (the off has allowed me the cool down time to put away my pitchfork, matches and Gibby effigies) Was hoping he would do that.

[G-Snarls]

Destroy Kelly please

[Jonn]

Would have liked to see them DFA Leon and bring in an insurance infielder considering our bench tonight is a catcher and 2 first basemen. But very excited to see how crazy this crowd is going to be. Dan Shulman!

[G-Snarls]

Anyone see the kid with the Stroman hair??

 

LOL

[G-Snarls]

OK

 

This montage is awesome

[JFD]

Honda home opener!

[jaysfan2014]

Would have liked to see them DFA Leon and bring in an insurance infielder considering our bench tonight is a catcher and 2 first basemen. But very excited to see how crazy this crowd is going to be. Dan Shulman!

 

You left out Ezequiel Carrera--he's on the bench too.

[fatcowxlive]

I grabbed tickets to this game first home opener for me! Hope stroman and the bats put up a show

[Jonn]

You left out Ezequiel Carrera--he's on the bench too.

 

Yea but hes not worth talking about and doesn't solve our need for a backup infielder.

[Krylian]

Yea but hes not worth talking about and doesn't solve our need for a backup infielder.

 

Andy Burns

[Jonn]

Andy Burns

 

Calling him up would make so much sense. Think about it. If Tulo, Goins, or Barney get hurt tonight Edwin or Bautista will be playing 3B.

[KinofChaos]

Got to win tonight after the throwing the last 2 games in Tampa. The Sox gave us issues last year.

[Dr. Dinger]

Calling him up would make so much sense. Think about it. If Tulo, Goins, or Barney get hurt tonight Edwin or Bautista will be playing 3B.

 

Playing a few innings at 3B isn't really a big deal for Bautista, he'd maybe get a couple GBs. Russell Martin could also switch in, he played two games at 2B last year.

[Daniel Labude]

Let's Go Blue Jays!!!!!!!!

 

Gonna be hard switching back and forth between this and the Florida Gators Spring football game

[Stangstag]

They're watering the infield now

[Stangstag]

Got to win tonight after the throwing the last 2 games in Tampa. The Sox gave us issues last year.

 

Must-win game?

[KinofChaos]

Must-win game?

 

It's a figure of speech....

[Jonn]

This is Paul Walkers song.

[o2cui2i]

I hope they can cut down the Ks

 

Looking forward to seeing StroShow dominate again.

[G-Snarls]

I Donaldson

[Soft Hands]

mvp mvp mvp!!!!!!!

[G-Snarls]

Cheesy blue M V P letters. Seriously...

[Inklink]

MVP! MVP! MVP!

 

cf

[BigCecil]

Fans ramped up for another year. nice to see. We used to have that feeling of the stadium full for the 1st home game....and maybe the first weekend. Downhill from there.

 

Is Bell the most successful Rule 5 selection ever?

[Inklink]

Nice, 2 logos on the wall for the year.