TORONTO -- It's amazing! The Blue Jays have rolled out an identical lineup for the second game in a row. That makes this lineup the second-most used order of the season -- tied with two other variations. Consider that, of the 28 different lineups used, the one that's been used the most has only been penned four times.
"I don't know how many more times I can change it, to be honest with you," Gibbons joked.
On a different note, the barking that was coming from the White Sox side in the ninth inning last night apparently was Chicago trying to get the umpires to follow ump Bruce Dreckman's lead, calling a balk on B.J. Ryan. Dreckman called a balk on Ryan in Boston in the ninth on Thursday, nearly costing Toronto a win.
Gibbons believes that, ever since Dreckman made that call, ruling that Ryan didnt come set in his delivery, other teams may be watching the lefty a little more closely.
"Oh yeah. I'm sure theyre looking for it now. Definitely," Gibbons said. "I think that's what [the Sox] were screaming about yesterday, is that right? I still don't think the umpire would call that with the game on the line and the closer in the game. Those teams may be looking for it, but if they didn't do it yesterday, I have a hard time believing they'll do it."
The bottom line is Ryan has pitched this way his whole career. He's consistent with his delivery and calling him on it now is a little ridicilous. A balk is an intentional attempt to deceive and when Ryan does the same thing on every pitch, I hardly think it can really be throwing too many hitters or baserunners off.
But I digress...
Talked to David Eckstein today and he gave us this reaction to the Jays decision to use John McDonald as a late-inning defensive replacement in close games:
"Everyone knows that feelings don't really matter in this scenario. The only thing that matters is going out there and winning games. That's the decision they made and, being a professional, you just have to go out there and keep trying to do your best."
So, whether of not Eckstein agrees with the decision is a moot point, because: "It doesn't matter. We're here to win games and that's the only thing that matters," he said.
Today's lineups:
TAMPA BAY (16-15) at TORONTO (16-17)
at 7:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre
RAYS
Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
B.J. Upton, CF
Carlos Pena, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Eric Hinske, DH
Dioner Navarro, C
Gabe Gross, RF
Jason Bartlett, SS
PITCHING: RHP Andy Sonnanstine
JAYS
Alex Rios, RF
Shannon Stewart, LF
Scott Rolen, 3B
Matt Stairs, DH
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Aaron Hill, 2B
Gregg Zaun, C
David Eckstein, SS
PITCHING: RHP A.J. Burnett
THIS JUST IN: Mike Wilner of The Fan 590 has just confirmed that "Hangin' Tough" by the New Kids on the Block, which was blaring out of the Roger Centre's sound system while A.J. Burnett warmed up, was in fact requested by Mr. Burnett. Amazing. Or not...