Doc cuts back on spring work for fall operation
March 7
Toronto Star: "Halladay's outlook this spring has been a little different. It has been his habit to arrive in Dunedin and begin throwing his entire repertoire of pitches – two-seam fastball, changeup, cut fastball and curveball – at once."
Doc sticks with two pitches
March 7
Toronto Sun: "Next time out, Halladay plans to mix in some breaking pitches to go with his fastball and changeup, but those two pitches were plenty enough challenge for the defending American League champions yesterday."
Jays' ace is no holiday
March 7
Detroit Free Press: "How good is Roy Halladay? 'He's basically a power-pitching (Greg) Maddux,' said Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield."
Inge gets no answers from Halladay
March 7
Michigan Live (registration required): "Brandon Inge wanted information. Roy Halladay provided none. Twenty-seven days before the Detroit Tigers will face Halladay on opening day at Comerica Park, the Tigers saw the Toronto ace in a spring training game in Florida. "
It's all set up for League
March 7
Toronto Sun: "Another day, another set of decent pitching lines for the Blue Jays and they're excited about that. Unfortunately, to this point not one of those pitching lines has been authored by Brandon League, who was preordained for the important role of setup man in the bullpen."
Former foes on the local scene chasing similar Jays dream
March 7
Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott: "Wideman and Baksh grew up 15 minutes apart in Mississauga. For the next month they'll share the same room and chase the same major-league dream."
Better get used to Toronto v. Detroit
March 7
Globe and Mail: "The Toronto Blue Jays will square off against the Detroit Tigers seven times through the first month of the regular season, and Detroit manager Jim Leyland is not exactly relishing the challenge."
Can the Tigers repeat?
March 7
Toronto Star columnist Richard Griffin: "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. The Detroit Tigers are aware of that. In fact, other than the free-spending Yankees, the last team to repeat an AL pennant was the 1992-93 Blue Jays."
'87 Tigers-Jays race gave Mesa big break
March 7
Detroit Free Press: "When the Tigers and Blue Jays play now, it's hard to find many links to their amazing race of 1987. On Tuesday, Jose Mesa provided one."