Happy Easter from Progressive Field everyone. It seems funny that, being a pastor’s kid, I’d wind up in a job that has me work on Sundays, and Easter Sundays at that. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though.

Jays manager Cito Gaston went back with his Opening Day lineup today, adding the left-handed swinging Lyle Overbay and Travis Snider back to the mix. They were out the past two days with Cleveland throwing southpaws at the Jays. Cito stacked his lineup with righties — minues Adam Lind — in those games.

Gaston believes that Lind handles lefties a little better than Snider right now, but that doesn’t mean young Travis won’t be getting starts against left-handed pitchers — it’s not a platoon. Gaston intends on having Snider face lefties as the season goes along.

“I want him to,” Gaston said. “He’s going to have to do that if he’s goign to be part of the future here. But right now, [Jose] Bautista needs to play to keep him sharp.

“[Lind] has a little better idea of the strike zone up there than Snider does right now. But, like I said about Snider the other day, he’s smart and he learns quick.”

Jays looking to improve to 6-1 for the first time since 1994 today. They’ve rolled out to that record twice in franchise history — 92 and 94. Also, Mr. Lind — with his three homers and 12 RBIs — leads the Majors in RBIs and ranks second with 12 hits. He also is the first Toronto player in team history to have 12 RBIs in the club’s first six games.

Also, Jays’ .318 team average and 27 extra-base hits lead the Majors. The Jays are also the only team to have two players with at least 10 hits (Lind, 12; Marco Scutaro, 10). Toronto’s 42 runs — also first in baseball — are the most the team has scored in its first six games since plating 47 runs in the first six games of the 2001 season. Jays are tied for 1st in the AL with nin homers, and didn’t have that many until Game #13 last year.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (5-1)

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: LHP David Purcey

CLEVELAND INDIANS (0-5)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Mark DeRosa, 3B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Travis Hafner, DH
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
7. Ryan Garko, 1B
8. Trevor Crowe, LF
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Starter: RHP Anthony Reyes

~JB

Some more on Adam “A Mighty” Lind after yesterday’s performance against the Tribe:

Since RBIs were first recorded in 1920, only four players have launched at least three home runs and knocked in at least 10 runs in their team’s first five games. The list includes Bobby Doerr (1941), Lou Brock (1967), Kal Daniels (1988) and Larry Walker (1997), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Now, those four have some new peers. Adam Lind has three homers and 11 RBIs through the first five Jays games and Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera  has three homers and 10 RBIs through five for the Tiggers. Lind also happens to lead baseball in RBIs right now and he ranks second with 10 hits.

The last Blue Jays player to have three homers in the club’s first five games is Carlos Delgado, who accomplished the feat in 2001 — he had five in that span. Also, Lind didn’t have 10 hits last year until his 14th game, needing 45 at-bats to achieve that many knocks.

Speaking of 2001, the Jays are off to their best start since that season, when the team opened the year 5-1. Toronto hasn’t been much of an April team over recent seasons. In ’01, they finished the month 16-9. In the seasons since, they never ended the first month more than one game over .500.

Asked manager Cito Gaston today if he thought the Jays and Indians should’ve tried to play through the rest of the fifth inning last night to make the game official in the books. He replied with a stern, “Absolutely.” The game was called in the top of the fifth with Toronto up 4-3 and then sat through a 3:47 rain delay — the longest in team history.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (4-1)

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Kevin Millar, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Jose Bautista, LF

Starter: RHP Roy Halladay

CLEVELAND INDIANS (0-4)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Mark DeRosa, 3B
3. Victor Martinez, 1B
4. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. Ryan Garko, DH
7. Kelly Shoppach, C
8. Ben Francisco, LF
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Starter: LHP Cliff Lee

~JB

A slightly new look for the Blue Jays’ lineup this afternoon here at The Jak…er, Progressive Field. With lefty Scott Lewis on the mound, Toronto skip Cito Gaston decided to give a day off to left-handed hitters Travis Snider and Lyle Overbay.

In the lineup instead are Jose Bautista (left) and Kevin Millar (first). Gaston said it wasn’t strictly due to the left-hander on the mound, though the manager did say he feels Adam Lind handles southpaws a tad better than Snider right now.

“This is a team where I’m very seldom going to pinch-hit for anybody,” Gaston explained. “So the other guys will just be sitting here if you don’t play them once in a while.”

Michael Barrett is also behind the plate for a second game in a row. Gaston said that’s partly due to the fact that he wants Rod Barajas to catch Doc on Saturday and Rod will also be behind the plate on Sunday. It also is because, as Gaston said all spring, Barajas will likely play 4-5 times per week, with the backup taking the other starts.

I’m also going to go ahead and say that if B.J. Ryan or Scott Downs have any issues this series, the team might want to consider their pregame clubhouse routine.

Ryan was playing a Golden Tee arcade game and Downs was handling a plastic shotgun, taking out some deer on another hunting arcade game. I’m surprised more pitchers don’t injure their arms here in Cleveland. Might be a strategy by the Tribe.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (3-1)

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Kevin Millar, 1B
8. Jose Bautista, LF
9. Michael Barrett, C

Starter: RHP Scott Richmond

CLEVELAND INDIANS (0-3)

1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Mark DeRosa, 3B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Travis Hafner, DH
5. Jhonny Peralta, SS
6. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
7. Ryan Garko, 1B
8. Ben Francisco, LF
9. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

Starter: LHP Scott Lewis

~JB

Really sad news this morning about Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart. He was killed last night in a car accident out in California after making his season debut for the Halos. Adenhart was only 22 years old.

Everything else today seems meaningless after hearing about that.

But, I’m writing up something on Lyle Overbay and Scott Richmond today, so check bluejays.com later. You can also follow me throughout the game on twitter. You can find me under @MLBastian.

Today’s lineups:

DETROIT TIGERS (1-2)

1. Cutis Granderson, CF
2. Marcus Thames, LF
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Brandon Inge, 3B
7. Matt Treanor, C
8. Ramon Santiago, 2B
9. Adam Everett, SS

Starter: Rick Porcello (MLB debut)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2-1)

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Jose Bautista, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Michael Barrett, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: Ricky Romero (MLB debut)

~JB

B.J. Ryan is the Blue Jays’ closer. That much is not going to change right now. Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston isn’t sure how often he will use the stopper in consecutive games this season, though.

Gaston said he’ll try to avoid doing that as much as possible, handing some save chances to relievers Scott Downs and Brandon League. As for Ryan’s outing on Tuesday — he allowed a game-tying homer to blow a save in the ninth — Gaston doesn’t think it’s the type of thing that will hurt the closer’s confidence.

“I don’t think so,” Gaston said. “He’s been in the big leagues a long time and he’s been out there on that mound in wars all the time, so I’d be very surprised if that bugged him like that.”

Some other items: Michael Barrett will likely be behind the plate for Ricky Romero’s big league debut on Thursday afternoon. … Romero and Detroit’s Rick Porcello will both be making their debuts. It’s the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks are facing each other in their respective debuts. … Gaston said hitting coach Gene Tenace is working with right fielder Alex Rios on adopting a more balanced stance, getting off his back side during his swing. Gaston said this should help generate more power. … Gaston also decided to stick with the same starting nine in Game 3. Why not? 17 runs in the first two games is never a bad thing.

Today’s lineups:

DETROIT TIGERS (0-2)

1. Cutis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, DH
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, LF
6. Gerald Laird, C
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Ramon Santiago, SS
9. Josh Anderson, RF

Starter: Zach Miner

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (2-0)

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: Jesse Litsch

~JB

Due to some past problems here at the Dome, the Rogers Centre’s alcohol liscense has been revoked for tonight’s game. So no booze Bird fans. That, combined with the usual drop-off between Opening Day and Game No. 2 attendance, should make for a sparse crowd tonight.

“It’s a little different today,” Jays manager Cito Gaston said. “We’ll miss the other 30,000 people.”

The fans weren’t the only ones affected by the beer issue today, either.

“They took it all out of the clubhouse,” Gaston said. “I haven’t opened my fridge yet to see if there’s any in there.”

After Monday’s 12-run, 15-hit outburst from his lineup, Gaston opted to stick with the same starting nine. I say if Travis Snider keeps swinging like he did this spring and how he hit last night it’ll be tough to keep him in that ninth hole.

Also, Detroit’s Brandon Inge had some nice things to say about Toronto ace Roy Halladay, especially the cut fastball Doc was featuring on Monday night.

“That’s the best cutter I’ve seen, including Mariano Rivera. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”

Today’s lineups:

DETROIT TIGERS

1. Cutis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, LF
6. Gerald Laird, C
7. Marcus Thames, DH
8. Brandon Inge, 3B
9. Adam Everett, SS

Starter: Edwin Jackson

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: David Purcey

~JB

DETROIT TIGERS

1. Cutis Granderson, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez, RF
4. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
5. Carlos Guillen, DH
6. Gerald Laird, C
7. Brandon Inge, 3B
8. Adam Everett, SS
9. Josh Anderson, LF

Starter: Justin Verlander

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Alex Rios, RF
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Adam Lind, DH
6. Scott Rolen, 3B
7. Lyle Overbay, 1B
8. Rod Barajas, C
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: Roy Halladay

The Opening Day roster is set. The Blue Jays returned Brad Mills and Raul Chavez to Minors camp today and optioned Joe Inglett to Triple-A. Thus ends the battle for the fifth starting job, the backup catching role and the bench.

So, here’s the 25-man roster, barring injury over the next four games:

ROTATION: Roy Halladay, David Purcey, Jesse Litsch, Ricky Romero, Scott Richmond

BULLPEN: B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs, Jesse Carlson, Brian Tallet, Jason Frasor, Shawn Camp, Brandon League

STARTERS: 1B Lyle Overbay, 2B Aaron Hill, SS Marco Scutaro, 3B Scott Rolen, C Rod Barajas, DH Adam Lind, LF Travis Snider, CF Vernon Wells, RF Alex Rios

BENCH: Kevin Millar, Michael Barrett, Jose Bautista, John McDonald

This is my last game of the spring. I will be flying back to Toronto tomorrow, taking a couple days off and gearing up for Opening Day. So, here’s the final lineups of the spring for you.

Don’t forget, you can follow my in-game updates at www.twitter.com/mlbastian 

Today’s lineup:

NATIONALS
Lastings Milledge, CF
Roger Bernadina, LF
Elijah Dukes, DH
Brad Eldred, 1B
Kory Castro, 3B
Josh Bard, C
Justin Maxwell, RF
Pete Orr, 2B
Alberto Gonzalez, SS

John Lannan, P

BLUE JAYS
Aaron Hill, 2B
Adam Lind, DH
Alex Rios, RF
Vernon Wells, CF
Kevin Millar, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Rod Barajas, C
Travis Snider, LF
John McDonald, SS

Roy Halladay, P

~JB

So, here’s what we now know:

The Blue Jays’ bullpen will include B.J. Ryan, Scott Downs, Jesse Carlson, Brian Tallet, Brandon League, Jason Frasor and Shawn Camp. The bench will have Kevin Millar, Jose Bautista and John McDonald.

The only races left are for the backup catching job and the fifth starting job. No. 5 candidate Brad Mills is taking on the Phils tonight. His competition, Scott Richmond, takes the hill Thursday in Lakeland against the Tigers.

Toronto optioned reliever Jeremy Accardo to Triple-A Las Vegas today and manager Cito Gaston said utility man Joe Inglett will also be sent down. As far as the ‘pen, Gaston said he didn’t want to break up the group that led MLB in bullpen ERA last year. With Inglett, it was purely a numbers game — no room in the inn.

Gaston was also asked if he had any interest in recently released slugger Gary Sheffield and he said no. Adding Sheff would likely mean Travis Snider would be sent to the Minors and Gaston doesn’t feel that would be moving in the right direction. GM J.P. Ricciardi, reached by phone, also said there was no interest in Sheffield on the Jays’ end.

Asked if he was closer to making a decision on taking either Michael Barrett or Raul Chavez north as the backup catcher, Gaston said the move would be made before Friday. All spring, I’ve been saying Barrett was the front-runner for that job, but here’s what Cito had to say today:

“Both have played well. It’s a situation that Chavez has probably played better. But Mike’s starting to come around swinging the bat. It’s going to be one of those things, we’re going to try to do the best thing for the club.”

So, advantage Chavez? We’ll see.

Don’t forget, you can follow my in-game updates at www.twitter.com/mlbastian 

Today’s lineup:

BLUE JAYS
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Jose Bautista, 3B
Adam Lind, DH
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Travis Snider, LF
Rod Barajas, C
Aaron Mathews, RF
John McDonald, SS

Brad Mills, P

PHILLIES
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Jayson Werth, RF
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Raul Ibanez, LF
Shane Victorino, CF
Pedro Feliz, 3B
Chris Coste, C
Miguel Cairo, DH

Brett Myers, P

~JB

Vernon Wells was walking into the clubhouse today, when he spotted a group of us reporters gathered not far away. Wells quickly grabbed his left wrist, grimaced in pain and started yelling “Trainer! Trainer!”

Then, he broke into a wide grin and started laughing.

“Just wanted to give you something to write about,” Wells said later. “In case you were bored.”

So, Wells was in a bit of a joking mood about his left wrist, which has been sore for the past few days. Manager Cito Gaston has indicated that Wells will likely return to the Jays’ lineup on Tuesday night. Travis Snider (left knee) said he was feeling better and is back in the lineup today. Rod Barajas (back) was given another day off.

But, about that rotation…

Gaston said this morning that left-hander Ricky Romero has made the team, and will pitch in the No. 4 spot. That leaves Brad Mills (pitching Tuesday) and Scott Richmond (pitching Thursday) for the final rotation job.

Gaston also noted that right-hander Jesse Litsch will slide into the No. 3 hole, with lefty David Purcey moving into the second spot. This move is to break up the rotation some. Righty Roy Halladay, followed by a lefty and then Litsch, another righty. Plus, if Mills also makes it, that’s another two lefties at the back end.

Mills is scheduled to only pitch four or five innings on Tuesday night against the Phils. Gaston said this is in case Mills is going to pitch on Friday or Saturday in Jupiter, which would be on short rest and would also be an abbreviated piggyback outing. Litsch is skedded to start on Friday and Romero on Saturday.

Today’s lineup:

YANKEES
Derek Jeter, SS
Johnny Damon, LF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Hideki Matsui, DH
Nick Swisher, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Cody Ransom, 3B
Jose Molina, C
Brett Gardner, CF

Andy Pettitte, P

BLUE JAYS
Marco Scutaro, SS
Aaron Hill, 2B
Alex Rios, CF
Kevin Millar, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Scott Rolen, 3B
Adam Lind, LF
Travis Snider, RF
Michael Barrett, C

David Purcey, P

~JB