Blue Jays (18-22) @ Phillies (20-21)

[Halladay_is_God]

Friday, May 18, Citizens Bank Park, start time 7:05 PM ET - Rogers Preview (**** you Rogers)
Saturday, May 19, Citizens Bank Park, start time 7:05 PM ET - RSN
Sunday, May 20, Citizens Bank Park, start time 1:35 PM ET - RSN

Friday
Dustin McGowan, RHP (0-0, 7.59) vs Jon Lieber, RHP (1-2, 2.83)

Saturday
Shaun Marcum, RHP (1-2, 4.43) vs Jamie Moyer, LHP (4-2, 3.48)

Sunday
Jesse Litsch, RHP (1-0, 1.04) vs Adam Eaton, RHP (3-3, 6.42)


Other news, Tomo Ohka been moved to the bullpen since the Jays won't need a 5th starter until the end of the month and the Jays wanted to give rookie Jesse Litsch another start after his great debut on Tuesday against Baltimore. Litsch was recalled from AA to Majors after deciding on who going to take Roy Hallday spot in the rotation. Litsch went 8.2 IP, 1 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 SO, for a ERA of 1.04 and the win.

Since Jeremy Accardo was named the closer last week, he has gone a perfect 3 for 3 in his save opportunities and has yet to give up a run all season after 18 inning pitched. Accardo 0-0, 3 SV, 0.00 ERA, 18.0 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, and 19 SO. Averaging over 1 strikeout per inning.

[Halladay_is_God]

And for tonight

mlb.com
Pitching matchup
TOR: RHP Dustin McGowan (0-0, 7.59 ERA)
McGowan is 1-3 with a 8.85 ERA in 16 appearances away from Rogers Centre.

PHI: RHP Jon Lieber (1-2, 2.83 ERA)
Lieber is 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA in three career starts versus the Jays

Scouting Report:
Blue Jays: In his second start of the season for the Blue Jays, McGowan allowed four runs on seven hits, including a pair of home runs, in a no-decision against the Devil Rays on Saturday. The right-hander struck out six and walked one over 5 2/3 innings. McGowan, who joined the rotation when left-hander Gustavo Chacin (sore left shoulder) landed on the 15-day disabled list on May 1, has never faced the Phillies in his career.

Phillies: Lieber tossed 115 pitches in his previous outing, landing 83 of them for strikes. The right-hander allowed two runs to the Cubs in that May 13 outing, showing no effects of a cut right middle finger that pushed his start back two days. He's 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA in three career starts vs. Toronto.


Player to watch
Last season, Jays first baseman Lyle Overbay enjoyed a lot of success against National League pitching. The former Brewer hit .368 (25-for-68) with five home runs and 14 RBIs.

[Halladay_is_God]

Aaron Hill homered in the 7th inning, a 2-run HR, his 7th of the year.

Matt Stairs came off the bench to hit his 2nd HR of the season, a solo shot.

McGowan had 1 very bad inning in the 4th where he walked in a run, what's worse is that the walk was to pitcher Jon Lieber. McGowan went 4.2 IP, 3 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 5 SO.

Right now the score is 5-3 Phillies in the 8th.

[Halladay_is_God]

5-3 final
McGowan with the loss, Lieber the win and Myers with the save.

[Halladay_is_God]

Jays won 13-2
Glaus, Overbay and Matt Stairs all hit HR, Stairs hit a grand slam late in the game.

Alex Rios walked 4 times. Stairs went 3 for 5.

Marcum had a good outing going 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 BB, and SO, lowered his ERA to 4.13 (from 6.06 when he was in the bullpen).

[Fishercat]

I would like to note, and this is a great topic to do it in, how awesome Matt Stairs is again.

In his last five starts, he's hit three HRs, and that's not including his PH in the game prior to those five starts where he hit one. In 76 PAs he's hitting .311, with a .393 OBP and .541 SLG. Although horrid versus lefties, his OPS is over 1.000 against RHP. He is absolutely demolishing the ball outside of the Rogers Centre as well (considering how unlucky he's been on Balls in Play).

All hail Matthew Wade Stairs, the magnificent