P. Hughes (1-0, 0.00)	vs.	A.J. Burnett (1-1, 5.57)

Last night's game got rained out.  AJ Burnett is still on the hill tonight against the Yankees, but this time he will be opposing the young phenom making his first start, Philip Hughes.  Here are just some random Blue Jay notes from around the web:

• The substitute3B John McDonald is on fire both on the field (some great plays in the series against Boston) and at bat.  He is 14 for his last 28, with five doubles.  The Jays are hoping to get regular 3B Troy Glaus back on Saturday, when he is eligible to come off the DL.
• Starting catcher Gregg Zaun is out until June (6-8 weeks) after having surgery to repair a non-displaced fracture of his thumb.  This injury will probably end up costing Zaun $3.75 million.   You see, his contract is for two years, with an option (according to the Toronto Sun) for a third year at $3.75 million if he appears in 270 games in the first two years.  He probably won't reach that incentive now because of the injured thumb.
• Fantasy owners: Jason Phillips (along with Sal Fasano) will be taking the over Zaun's job until he comes back.  Remember Jason's power when he was with the Mets?  Well, either that was all steroids, or he might be worth keeping an eye on, alright?
• Sal Fasano is freaking slow.  Add him to a lineup with Frank Thomas (the slowest guy this side of Big Papi), Lyle Overbay, and Troy "bone spurs in my foot" Glaus... the Jays may be the slowest team in baseball right now.  
• This rainout actually helps the Jays.  Aside from giving their bullpen a break (aided by Halladay's eight inning outing on Tuesday), it means that the Jays don't face Andy Pettite, only a rookie pitcher making his first major league start.  As good as Hughes is, it's doubtful he'll pitch longer than 5-6 innings.  If Burnett can pitch well, the Jays should be able to come off with a victory.  And they can leave town before the pissed off Yankee team gets on one of their patented 6 or 7 game winning streaks.
• The 4-game series this weekend at home against Texas should be a good opportunity for the Jays to make up some ground while the Yankees and Sox battle it out.
• Phil Hughes' last start (at Scranton) he went six shutout innings, striking out 10, walking none (he has great control), and allowing 2 hits.  Guess he has nothing to prove in the minors.
• John Gibbons on Hughes: "He's thought very highly of.  Arguably, they say the best pitcher in the minor leagues. So we know he'll be bringing it pretty good."
• Hughes will be the 9th starter the Yankees have used in 20 games this season.  Think about that.
• Speaking of starters... Tim Hudson is pitching out of his mind right now.  I'm sure that as soon as basketball season ends SML will start covering the Jays more, but also the Braves (whom we place a bet, at 3-1 odds, would win the NL East). 

Yankee Blog of the series:  Still our buddy over atDepressed Fan.  

 Subscribe to my feed