Cleveland @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Apr 3, 2013 ) Cleveland 3, Toronto 2
Through two games, the Cleveland Indians have stolen the thunder the Toronto Blue Jays thought they were reserving for themselves with their off-season moves. They’ll also try to steal a three-game road sweep Thursday when they close out the series against the Blue Jays. Toronto heightened expectations when it acquired R.A. Dickey, Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson among others in two blockbuster trades following last season. However, two newcomers from the Indians – Michael Bourn and Mark Reynolds – have played key roles in denying Toronto its first win.
The Blue Jays have scored only three runs and would like nothing more than to pick up their offensive pace to support another one of their off-season acquisitions in Mark Buehrle. Toronto is off to a 0-2 start for the first time since 2004 and batting .138 (9-for-65). Most of that futility has come against two pitchers in Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez that combined for 32 losses a season ago.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), SNET (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Brett Myers (2012: 3-8, 3.31 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Mark Buehrle (13-13, 3.74)
Myers will make the transition from a reliever to a starter for the second time in his career after serving as a closer for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007 and the Houston Astros for part of 2012. The 33-year-old struggled mightily in the exhibition season, however, going 2-3 with a 9.00 ERA after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the Indians in January. Myers made three relief appearances against the Blue Jays last season, but his only career start against them came in 2011.
Buehrle – a longtime Chicago White Sox – will make his official return to the American League after the Blue Jays acquired him in a 12-player blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins in November. Despite the Marlins’ struggles, he led the rotation in ERA and WHIP (1.17) and topped 200 innings for the 12th straight year. Buehrle has faced the Indians 47 times – his third-most common opponent – but is 15-17 with a 4.77 ERA against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cleveland is seeking its first 3-0 start since it won six in a row to open the 1998 season.
2. Toronto’s nine hits ties a team record for the fewest through two games.
3. After getting 38 homers last season from right-handed batters, the Indians got their first from Reynolds on Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 4, Indians 3