By Mario Belan
The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to tie their home-opener series against the Tampa Bay Rays tonight.
The Jays lost their home opener 2-1 in front of a sold out crowd at the Rogers Centre on Monday.
Sportsnet baseball editor Ben Nicholson-Smith told Humber News that he, “was expecting a good pitching matchup.”
The one thing that pitcher R. A. Dickey does well is “make the ball dance around the plate” and last night he did too much of that, Nicholson-Smith said.
Dickey threw five walks which proved to be the difference maker. He walked the final two runs as the Devil Rays handed the Jays their third consecutive home-opening loss in front of a crowd of 48,414.
“In the 4th [inning] he couldn’t control the ball and that’s how the Rays got two runs,” he said.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher R.A Dickey throwing a pitch in the first inning. (Nick Turchiaro, Reuters)
Nicholson-Smith said pitching will be important again tonight and expects a good pitching performance by Daniel Norris tonight.
“He played well in his first game against the Yankees,” he said.
In that game, Norris threw his slider and change up very well and fans will be seeing that tonight, he said.
He said the Jays need to get their bats going because the Rays have great pitching.
Toronto Blue Jay Blogger Ian Hunter said it’s sad not seeing the Jays getting the home runs they are known for, but tonight’s game should be different.
“I hope to see those home runs from Bautista, Encarnacion and Donaldson,” said Hunter, referring to right fielder Jose Bautista, first baseman Edwin Encarnacion, and third baseman Josh Donaldson.
He said he hopes Norris has a big game tonight and thinks he will become handy for the Jays.
“Norris is an important piece, he’s a great pitcher,” he said.