GDT - Jays @ Angels (2/4) 22:00 EST

[Grant77]

Let's make this single win into a winning streak.

 

Jays lineup:

 

4 Travis

0 Donaldson

3 Encarnacion

9 Bautista

6 Tulowitzki

8 Pillar

7 Upton

5 Barney

2 Thole

 

SP: R.A. Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA, 82.3 mph fb)

 

Angels lineup:

 

9 Calhoun

8 Trout

0 Pujols

3 Cron

5 Marte

6 Simmons

7 Buss

2 Perez

4 Cowart

 

SP: Jered Weaver (11-11, 5.25 ERA, 82.6 mph fb)

 

___________________________________

 

In playoff hunt, Blue Jays send Dickey vs. Halos

 

The Blue Jays turn to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey as they look to remain in the thick of the American League East and Wild Card races with an important matchup Friday against the Angels, who will counter with Jered Weaver in the second of a four-game series at Angel Stadium.

 

Toronto enters Friday tied with Baltimore for the top spot in the AL Wild Card and two games behind Boston in the AL East.

 

For Dickey (9-14, 4.60 ERA), it's his first start since Sept. 5, when he allowed five runs on seven hits over four innings in a loss to the Yankees. He beat the Angels in Toronto on Aug. 23, allowing two runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. That was the last time Dickey won a decision.

 

Weaver (11-11, 5.25) has won each of his past three decisions. The streak started in Toronto on Aug. 25, when he yielded two runs (one earned) over 5 2/3 innings. A free agent after the season, Weaver is facing an uncertain future with the Angels, the only organization he's known.

 

Three things to know about this game

 

• Josh Donaldson returned to the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday following a three-day absence with a lower body injury. Donaldson is dealing with a nagging hip injury and an undisclosed ailment in one of his legs. He served as the designated hitter Thursday, but it's unclear when he'll return to third base. He doubled and scored Toronto's first run in the opener.

 

"The fact of the matter is if I can go out there and play, I'm going to do my best to go out there," said Donaldson, the reigning AL MVP.

 

• Angels center fielder Mike Trout is 6-for-13 (.462) lifetime against Dickey, with one triple and two doubles.

 

• Dickey's personal catcher, Josh Thole, is expected to start. Thole has caught all of Dickey's 28 starts this season. He's hitting .155 with a .242 on-base percentage in 48 games this year.

[bronson44]

I have a strange feeling Dickey might be good tonight. It seems to be bizarro world with the rotation right now so maybe he can be a guy to step up and help out with some good starts down the stretch.

[BigCecil]

I have a strange feeling Dickey might be good tonight. It seems to be bizarro world with the rotation right now so maybe he can be a guy to step up and help out with some good starts down the stretch.

 

^eternal optimism.

[bones10]

Orioles losing, Sox winning. Lets win.

[Horses Fart]

No faith in the s*** combo. I'm sorry.

[bones10]

pretty s***** lineup tonight... should be enough to topple the Angles though

[Governator]

pretty s***** lineup tonight... should be enough to topple the Angles though

 

Well considering JD needs to DH can't really get Martin in the game. If the game is close I'd hope he would replace Thole as soon as Dickey is done for the night .

[jaysguy44]

f*** Dickey and Thole. Both useless

[Horses Fart]

f*** off Sox.

[BigCecil]

16 gm left. 2 behind. I can live with an RA start (barely) with Sanchez out and Estrada's disc issues, but Martin not in the line up when we aren't scoring any runs is not defensible. He can suck it up for hopefully his last start.

[Belliss101]

Looks like O's and Sox both will win. Gotta win tonight

[Governator]

16 gm left. 2 behind. I can live with an RA start (barely) with Sanchez out and Estrada's disc issues, but Martin not in the line up when we aren't scoring any runs is not defensible. He can suck it up for hopefully his last start.

 

I dunno if I could handle 3 or 4 past balls tonight. If Dickey goes 6 then Martin should still play 1/3rd the game. He'd be playing if JD could field.

[Spanky99]

Looks like O's and Sox both will win. Gotta win tonight

 

Silver lining Detroit and New York lost...

[Spanky99]

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*

 

 

Pfffftt... Angels In The Outfield, Jays In Flight!!!

[jiminy]

Who were those lovely ladies

[Belliss101]

Perv cameraman is back tonight. And Jamie Campbell isn't much better lol

[Belliss101]

If the two wild card winners are tied at season end, who gets the home game?

[BigCecil]

I dunno if I could handle 3 or 4 past balls tonight. If Dickey goes 6 then Martin should still play 1/3rd the game. He'd be playing if JD could field.

 

Not like Thole has been a machine back there, and Martin has caught him before. Anyway. Doesn't matter cause the line up is set. I watched RA win one in Anaheim there last August. He gave up 5 in the 1st and I think we won 10-5. Those were the good ol' days. After tonight even if we win 15 gms left and 2 back. So let's win tonight boys.

[Belliss101]

Not like Thole has been a machine back there, and Martin has caught him before. Anyway. Doesn't matter cause the line up is set. I watched RA win one in Anaheim there last August. He gave up 5 in the 1st and I think we won 10-5. Those were the good ol' days. After tonight even if we win 15 gms left and 2 back. So let's win tonight boys.

 

I say let's just make up 1 game on Sox going into Boston last series and then win the series!

[jiminy]

Dickey will be good tonight. Ball doesnt carry well at night here

[fatcowxlive]

Stupid f***ing Rays. Oh my god. Alexi doubles and the runner on first got thrown out trying to score by a mile

[GoJays1562]

Mahtook lol

[thatoneguy]

Lovely, another day of "just keeping up".

[Grant77]

If the two wild card winners are tied at season end, who gets the home game?

 

Whoever has the best head to head record between Baltimore and Boston.

[Grant77]

I love when Jamie Campbell sings

[BigCecil]

Listening to pre game interview with Osuna on radio. Love that kid. What an attitude. He said the team leaders are mainly Martin, Tulo and Grilli.

[Jonn]

Weaver is going to be tough

[Grant77]

Weaver is going to be in tough

 

ftfy

[Candy Maldonado]

Dickey will have a complete game shutout

[gbill2004]

Who were those lovely ladies

Got a massive erection there!