Cleveland @ Toronto preview
Rogers Centre
Last Meeting ( Apr 2, 2013 ) Cleveland 4, Toronto 1
The Toronto Blue Jays’ off-season makeover failed to deliver the expected results in their season-opening loss. They’ll get another attempt at home Wednesday when they continue their three-game set against the Cleveland Indians. Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey had an unspectacular debut for the Blue Jays, allowing four runs and five hits over six innings, although he wasn’t helped out by three passed balls from catcher J.P. Arencibia. Toronto’s new hitters – Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera, Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio - didn’t fare well either, going a combined 2-for-13.
Cleveland collected its first season-opening win on the road since 2007 thanks in large part to a two-run homer from Asdrubal Cabrera and starter Justin Masterson, who allowed one run and three hits in six innings and ended his night by retiring 11 straight batters. Michael Bourn finished 2-for-5 in his Indians debut while Cleveland’s bullpen – a bit of a sore spot a season ago – yielded only one hit.
TV: 7:07 p.m. ET, STO (Cleveland), SNET (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (2012: 9-17, 5.40 ERA) vs. Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (10-7, 2.96)
Jimenez enters the final year of his contract with a 13-21 record and a 5.32 ERA in 42 starts since he was acquired from Colorado at the trade deadline in 2011. His 17 losses were the most in the majors last season and his command was a big reason why he struggled. His 95 walks was the third-highest total in the majors while his 16 wild pitches trailed only San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum. Jimenez is 1-1 with a 7.63 ERA in three career starts against Toronto.
Despite an oblique injury that sidelined him for over two months, Morrow enjoyed his finest season in 2012 and finished tied for sixth in the majors in complete games (three). The 28-year-old pitched a bit more to contact and was rewarded with career lows in ERA and WHIP (1.11). Morrow is 1-3 with a 4.30 ERA in his career against the Indians, but set the stage for his breakout campaign in a no-decision against Cleveland, allowing one hit and two unearned runs over seven innings on April 7.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Indians will seek their first 2-0 start since 2008 – the last season they didn’t finish with a losing record.
2. Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo, the subject of trade rumors linking him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, playfully tweeted during Tuesday’s game the Blue Jays needed a goalie in light of Arencibia’s struggles.
3. Cleveland starter Scott Kazmir, slated to pitch Saturday, will likely miss the game because of a sore abdominal muscle.
PREDICTION: Blue Jays 5, Indians 3