GDT- Jays @ Rays Game 1 of 3

[Spanky99]

Rays Line-up...

 

1. Logan Forsythe ® 2B

2. Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF

3. Evan Longoria ® 3B

4. Brad Miller (L) 1B

5. Matt Duffy ® SS

6. Logan Morrison (L) DH

7. Nick Franklin (S) RF

8. Corey Dickerson (L) LF

9. Luke Maile ® C

 

On the bump... RHP Alex Cobb

 

Cobb is set to take a big league mound for the first time since 2014 after Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old struggled in eight rehab starts, going 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP. Rays manager Kevin Cash remains encouraged, however.

 

Jays Line-up...

 

1. Jose Bautista ® DH

2. Josh Donaldson ® 3B

3. Edwin Encarnacion ® 1B

4. Michael Saunders (L) RF

5. Russell Martin ® C

6. Troy Tulowitzki ® SS

7. Melvin Upton Jr. ® LF

8. Kevin Pillar ® CF

9. Devon Travis ® 2B

 

On the bump... RHP Marcus Stroman

 

Stroman looks to rebound after a difficult start against the Twins his last time. The young right-hander allowed five runs over six innings but took a no-decision in the Blue Jays' 8-7 win.

 

Game Notes...

 

 

It's been a long and tedious journey for Alex Cobb as he's recuperated from Tommy John surgery in 2015. The Rays right-hander will take the hill for the first time since Sept. 28, 2014, on Friday against the Blue Jays at Tropicana Field.

 

"I am starting to feel more and more comfortable. It is more real as the routine gets more familiar. I spent a lot of time doing it," Cobb said. "I feel like getting in a groove has come back a lot quicker than I was expecting. I'm definitely getting more excited."

 

Already feeling an adrenaline rush the last few games he's sat on Tampa Bay's bench, Cobb will throw between 80 to 90 pitches and talk with coaches in between each inning.

"I've spent a lot of time with the team when they were home, but it is a different animal while they are on the road, especially when it is a long stretch of time," Cobb said. "You have to build relationships all over again and get the inside scoop on jokes, but it feels like that two-year gap never happened with the guys."

Cobb will face a Blue Jays squad that has won five of its past six games and sits atop the American League East with a two-game lead over the Red Sox.

 

The Blue Jays announced Thursday afternoon that Marcus Stroman will start the series opener.

Three things to know about this game

• Expect Rays infielder Matt Duffy to be back in the lineup on Friday. He was out of the team's lineup on Wednesday against the Red Sox as the club continues to monitor his left Achilles injury.

• Cobb is 2-2 with a 4.63 ERA in four career starts against the Blue Jays. He lost both starts against the club in 2014.

• Josh Donaldson is 3-for-13 with two strikeouts against Cobb, while Edwin Encarnacion is 2-for-9 with a home run and two RBIs.

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

LETS GO BLUE JAYS *CLAP, CLAP* *CLAP, CLAP, CLAP*

 

[Jonn]

Lets Go Blue Jays!

[candymartinez]

Great line-up tonight, no JB in the field, best hitters are there, good stuff. Not the order I'd pick but I don't think that's really a big deal. Go Jays Go!

[King]

Cobb vs Stro

 

Aye

[Vialotor]

Lets hope Cobb is rusty.

[Angrioter]

Is Pompey and his .086 ISO with the team?

[Governator]

Let the festivities begin

 

http://i.imgur.com/yTv1582.jpg

[TheHurl]

I know it's supposed to be Wing night...but this is more fitting for the game.

 

http://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std/144127-283x424-Hurricane-cocktail.jpg

[Spanky99]

I know it's supposed to be Wing night...but this is more fitting for the game.

 

http://cf.ltkcdn.net/cocktails/images/std/144127-283x424-Hurricane-cocktail.jpg

 

lol

[Jonzo]

I got Uber Eats delivering me a pork gyro and feta poutine.

[Vialotor]

I got Uber Eats delivering me a pork gyro and feta poutine.

 

That reminds me, I have not eaten supper yet.

[Jonn]

Let the festivities begin

 

http://i.imgur.com/yTv1582.jpg

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOeIENJgyvw/T8Pib60UGcI/AAAAAAAAEOc/qTk0yQzvkW0/s1600/drooling-gif-tumblr-i11.gif

[G-Snarls]

Thanks Spanky

[G-Snarls]

Oh oh

 

I'm doing mine the "bad" way

 

http://i.imgur.com/Ts9vYON.jpg

[Grant77]

Let the festivities begin

 

http://i.imgur.com/yTv1582.jpg

 

The wings look so good, but that is the only beer I've ever tried that I can't stomach.

[Grant77]

Spanky GDT = win

[G-Snarls]

Spanky GDT = win

 

Every damn time

[Spanky99]

Thanks Spanky

 

For the GDT? You're welcome.

[G-Snarls]

For the GDT? You're welcome.

 

Yes

[Spanky99]

Spanky GDT = win

 

Every damn time

 

I wish... I've gotten the TB series wins, though!

[G-Snarls]

Beer n' baseball n' chicken wings

[G-Snarls]

[Spanky99]

So Dickey goes Monday in NY, right?

[Spanky99]

 

Now that's funny!

[jays4life19]

Jeez. Some of you guys need to invite JFL19 over for dinner.

 

BJMB BBQ at Gov's sounds about right.

[Spanky99]

Jeez. Some of you guys need to invite JFL19 over for dinner.

 

BJMB BBQ at Gov's sounds about right.

 

He even has the Baseball mancave studio. Good call!!!

[Jonn]

Party at WTF's house while hes in Japan!

[Governator]

The wings look so good, but that is the only beer I've ever tried that I can't stomach.

 

lol.. I love MGD.

 

http://i.imgur.com/6DGUBLN.jpg

[Spanky99]

Party at WTF's house while hes in Japan!

 

You'd get shot by a white/jamaican house sitter!

[Jonn]

You'd get shot by a white/jamaican house sitter!

 

Nah she will join the party if you agree to do body shots off her. I will take one for the team.