GDT: A's @ Blue Jays Game 1 of 4 7:07 EST

[Spanky99]

Blue Jays Lineup...

 

1. Jose Bautista ® DH

2. Russell Martin ® C

3. Josh Donaldson ® 3B

4. Justin Smoak (S) 1B

5. Steve Pearce ® LF

6. Troy Tulowitzki ® SS

7. Ezequiel Carrera (L) RF

8. Kevin Pillar ® CF

9. Ryan Goins (L) 2B

 

Francisco Liriano, LHP

 

This start originally belonged to Aaron Sanchez but he was placed on the DL with a blister. Instead Liriano will take the mound on three days' rest, which shouldn't be an issue because he threw just 54 pitches last time out.

 

A's Lineup...

 

1. Rajai Davis ® CF

2. Marcus Semien ® SS

3. Ryon Healy ® DH

4. Khris Davis ® LF

5. Jed Lowrie (S) 2B

6. Yonder Alonso (L) 1B

7. Matt Chapman ® 3B

8. Josh Phegley ® C

9. Matt Joyce (L) RF

 

Chris Smith, RHP

 

Smith turned in seven innings of one-run ball against the Rays on Tuesday, holding the American League East contenders to three hits while fanning four and walking two. He’s yielded four runs across 13 innings in two starts.

 

PREVIEW...

 

By Jane Lee / MLB.com | @JaneMLB

 

A's right-hander Chris Smith will return to Rogers Centre for the first time since 2008 on Monday for a series-opening start against the Blue Jays.

 

The 36-year-old journeyman, seeking his first Major League win as a starter, will be opposed by veteran lefty Francisco Liriano, who takes a 5-5 record and 6.15 ERA into the contest.

 

Smith, who nine years ago faced Toronto as a member of the Red Sox in a forgettable relief outing, will be making his third start in place of right-hander Jharel Cotton, who is on a rehab assignment after nursing a right thumb blister back to health. Smith pitched well in each of his first two outings, allowing a combined four runs in 13 innings.

 

"He knows where he's throwing the baseball," A's manager Bob Melvin said. "He reads swings well. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he deserves another start or two or whatever it'll end up being based on performance."

 

Liriano will be pitching on just three days' rest, with Toronto altering its rotation in the wake of Aaron Sanchez's latest trip to the DL, but he totaled 54 pitches in only 1 2/3 innings in his last start, against the Red Sox. Five days prior, he threw 50 pitches, allowing five runs in two innings in Detroit. Liriano had completed six innings in each of his previous three outings.

 

Toronto leads the season series, 2-1, over Oakland.

 

• Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is questionable for the series opener because of a sore groin. He was pulled from Friday's game in Cleveland in the ninth inning after tweaking it, and he hasn't played since.

 

• A's outfielders Rajai Davis and Khris Davis have enjoyed much success opposite Liriano, with Rajai taking a .364 career average (12-for-33) against the right-hander into the contest and Khris carrying a .353 mark (6-for-17).

 

• Liriano is 5-4 with a 4.30 ERA in 17 career outings (15 starts) against the A's.

 

 

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 A's...

 

 

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

[Omar]

*sigh* Let's go Jays. ~welp~

[Daniel Labude]

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

[John_Havok]

Over under on GDT posts ... 150

[Spanky99]

Over under on GDT posts ... 150

 

That's generous.

[M.E.]

Can we DFA Liriano already?

[Daniel Labude]

Can we get Pearce out of the outfield already

[BTS]

Liriano f***ing blows

[Spanky99]

Whoa... nice grab!

[Spanky99]

This guy reminds me of Estrada.

[Spanky99]

Yup, like Estrada, lol.

[burlingtonbandit]

This guy is the biggest junkballer in the game my goodness.

[Omar]

I just want to finish ahead of the Orioles this season:

 

[John_Havok]

Say what you want about Goins bat (and boy... does it suck), but the kid can play D

[EdwinsParrot]

Zeke gonna lead the way

[TheHurl]

Good job Bases Loaded Mike Trout

[gruber92]

Hey how about that Goins kid..

[P2F]

Hey how about that Goins kid..

 

Even a blind squirrel finds nuts occasionally.

[gruber92]

For a guy in fantastic shape, Bautista is sure slow as f***.

[gruber92]

Even a blind squirrel finds nuts occasionally.

 

Pretty lucky squirrel to find a nut 9 out of 12 times.

[glory]

Jose now has a 93 wrc+ and .390 slg.

 

Damn that extra draft pick would have been nice.

[metafour]

Hey how about that Goins kid..

 

Dude swings at a pitch about a foot outside the zone and barely pokes it out for a hit. Wow, what a run producer!

[EdwinsParrot]

Lol so bad

[gruber92]

What horrible base running from Pearce. Safety squeeze was f***ing stupid with no speed on third to begin with.

[Inklink]

So bad

[metafour]

Just LOL at this team's baserunning.

[gruber92]

Dude swings at a pitch about a foot outside the zone and barely pokes it out for a hit. Wow, what a run producer!

 

Ok brother you need to relax, just having some fun. I know what Ryan Goins is.

[Omar]

Lol someone tell Pearce the object of the game is to actually touch home plate.

[gruber92]

That chin music Bautista got from Axford was on purpose with Bautista squaring on a 2-0 pitch. I don't blame him, little league s***.

[EdwinsParrot]

JD due for a bomb