GDT: Blue Jays @ Royals Game 1 of 3

[Spanky99]

Blue Jays Lineup...

 

1. Jose Bautista ® DH

2. Russell Martin ® C

3. Josh Donaldson ® 3B

4. Kendrys Morales (S) 1B

5. Troy Tulowitzki ® SS

6. Dwight Smith Jr. (L) LF

7. Kevin Pillar ® CF

8. Ryan Goins (L) 2B

9. Ian Parmley (L) RF

 

JA Happ, LHP

 

Happ initially struggled after returning from the DL but he turned things around over his last two starts. He has allowed three runs with 17 strikeouts and just one walk over his last 12 2/3 innings.

 

Royals Lineup...

 

1. Whit Merrifield ® 2B

2. Jorge Bonifacio ® RF

3. Lorenzo Cain ® CF

4. Eric Hosmer (L) 1B

5. Salvador Perez ® C

6. Mike Moustakas (L) 3B

7. Brandon Moss (L) DH

8. Alcides Escobar ® SS

9. Alex Gordon (L) LF

 

Jake Junis RHP

 

Junis, who will make his fifth straight start since an early June callup, has given up 12 runs in 16 innings over his past three starts. He's surrendered at least one home run in each outing and took his first loss on Saturday.

 

PREVIEW...

 

By Wilson Alexander / MLB.com

 

J.A. Happ will look to post a third straight quality start while Jake Junis hopes to keep the baseball in the yard when the Blue Jays and Royals play at Kauffman Stadium on Friday in the first game of a three-game series.

 

Happ (2-4, 4.26 ERA) spent most of the month of May on the disabled list. The left-hander struggled in his first two starts when he returned, giving up seven runs and four home runs over 9 1/3 innings. But in his last two outings, Happ has given up three runs and no home runs in 12 2/3 innings while striking out 17 batters. Both outings were Blue Jays victories.

 

In his last three starts, Junis (2-1, 5.56 ERA) has allowed a combined six home runs. The rookie right-hander was pounded by the Angels last time out, giving up five runs on eight hits in his first loss. He surrendered home runs to Cameron Maybin and Albert Pujols and now faces a Toronto team that relies heavily on the long ball.

 

• The Royals have had some success against Happ, as designated hitter Brandon Moss, left fielder Alex Gordon and center fielder Lorenzo Cain are all batting above .450 against him. On the other hand, shortstop Alcides Escobar is batting .067 (1-for-15) against Happ.

 

• From his first two MLB starts to his past two, Junis raised his swinging-strike rate from 5.9 percent to 15.3 percent, according to Statcast. On the other hand, his average distance allowed on fly balls and liners jumped from 282 feet to 325 feet as he allowed five home runs -- all of them on fastballs.

 

• Both the Blue Jays and the Royals have struggled to get above a .500 record this season. The Royals haven't been at .500 since April 19, while the Blue Jays haven't reached the mark at all.

 

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*

 

 

Hey Royals...

 

 

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img911/724/K02O1z.gif

[G-Snarls]

Win win win!!!

[Jonn]

I'm assuming Smoak is just getting a day off?

[Omar]

Forget .500, Blue Jays win coupled with an Orioles loss = We're out of last place!!

 

Lets go Jays!!!!

 

[Spanky99]

Ubaldo Jimenez sucks, lol.

[Omar]

Rays up 4-0 after 1st. Orioles trying to keep the streak alive.

[Spanky99]

Rays up 4-0 after 1st. Orioles trying to keep the streak alive.

 

Cut in half already. As I said though, Ubaldo... suxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Daniel Labude]

Lets Go Blue Jays!!!!!!!!!!

[Omar]

Since Pearce was actually on the on deck circle last game ​I assume he will be available off the bench to hit for Goins late in the game if required. Right Gibby?

[Spanky99]

Since Pearce was actually on the on deck circle last game ​I assume he will be available off the bench to hit for Goins late in the game if required. Right Gibby?

 

He's available off the bench, yes.

[Omar]

Rays up 4-0 after 1st. Orioles trying to keep the streak alive.

 

They did it! Congratlations to Buck Showalter.

[Spanky99]

Bats getting it started!

[bones10]

who the f*** is ian parmley

[Spanky99]

who the f*** is ian parmley

 

You should know this.

[bones10]

who the f*** is ian parmley

 

3 home runs in 5 years across the minor leagues...

 

 

4, actually

[Jonn]

Jesus Christ

[bones10]

well that was retarded

[Spanky99]

Sheeeeeit. I don't mind that call.

[Jonn]

3 home runs in 5 years across the minor leagues...

 

 

4, actually

 

Watch him get 4 in his first 8 games.

[JaysAllMighty]

Jays playing stupid again

[Spanky99]

well that was retarded

 

Hit and run?

[JaysAllMighty]

Sheeeeeit. I don't mind that call.

 

wtf

[BlueJayWay]

Orioles down 9-2.

[bones10]

Hit and run?

 

uhhh in order for that to work you kinda need to swing the bat

[JaysAllMighty]

Hit and run?

 

ya like power hitters next

[Omar]

Did Martin miss the sign or was that Bats being Bats?

[JFD]

Hit and run?

 

Stand there like an idiot and run.

[Spanky99]

wtf

 

Nothing wrong with a hit and run, bro?

[Daniel Labude]

I did t see it...was Bautista caught stealing on a hit and run?

[JaysAllMighty]

sorry but I'm just tired of stupid outs