MLB Gameday Wednesday – Canadian boy hosts Jays in Oakland
Oakland'sRich Harden would have been a good fit in Toronto, as the man from Victoria, British Columbia would have had the entire country of Canada cheering him on. The oft-injured pitcher will try to remain perfect on the season when his Athletics host the Blue Jays at McAfee Coliseum in the second of a three-game American League series.
Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics – 10:05 PM ET
Roy Halladay (5-5, 3.11) is coming off his league-leading fifth complete game of the season, as the 2003 Cy Young winner gave up a single run on four hits in a 7-1 win at home over Kansas City. Halladay now leads the America League in innings pitched as well, and he averages just over 108 pitchers when he starts. While this does save the Blue Jays' bullpen, it also wears down their ace, who has proven to be very dependable, but he could be one pitch away from a blown shoulder or elbow if Toronto does not ease Halladay's workload. The 11-year righthander went nine innings in a 5-4 extra-inning loss in Oakland last season, giving up four runs on seven hits for a no-decision.
26-year-old Harden (3-0, 2.93) continued his mastery over Boston this season, as he won for the second time in three starts against the Red Sox in an 8-3 victory at home. Harden allowed a pair of runs on four hits over six innings in the contest, while striking out eight and walking three. The fifth-year righthander has now given up two runs or more in only one of his five starts this season. Due to his injuries, Harden has not faced the Blue Jays since 2005, when he gave up four runs on five hits over five innings of a 4-2 loss at Toronto.
The Athletics swept the Blue Jays in a three-game set in Toronto last month, outscoring them 18-13. Neither of these pitchers hit the mound in that series, so it will be a treat to see these two aces going at it, which could mean a long day for the offenses. Heading into this series, the Blue Jays had won five in a row, and their offense seems to have caught up to their brillant pitching staff. On momentum, take the Blue Jays to come away with a close and low-scoring win over the Athletics on Wednesday.
T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as betonline.com. Thoughts or questions?
