Brooms?

The Red Sox have Ellsbury and Crawford back, watch out because they're good again!  Right?  Let's goooooooo.

Edwin had two walks and a tater, good for a Zaunhead, which actually reminds me that I haven't dished out Zaunheads for like a week, the last one going to CharlieV for his start this past sunday.  More on that in a second.

For now, we're going to focus all of our energy on making Henderson Alvarez good.  Ole Hendy-poo struck out 6 (SIX!) Yankees in his last outing, giving him two pretty decent outings in his last three starts.  The other was a bit of a stinker, in which he gave up 5 runs in 5.1IP against the Royals, so heh.  It is what it is.

This will be his fourth start against the Red Sox this season.  His first was a no-decision, but was good.  6IP, 4 hits, 1 ER, 1BB, 2K.  he then went 6.1IP on June 1, giving up 8 hits and 4 runs, 1BB, 2K's in a Jays loss.  Finally, on June 25th, Hendy went 5 IP, allowing 5 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits, 1 walk and 2K's.  Basically, don't expect him to walk or strike out very many.

Stuff
Retroactive Zaunheads: Aaron Laffey for Friday, JPA for Wednesday's rain-shortened beating, Edwin for Tuesday, and Edwin for Monday.  In case you were wondering, Edwin has proven to be good at hitting lately.

Elsewhere, Jonah Keri gets worked up about the 10-man trade from the other day, over at Grantland.

Jim Callis of Baseball America has some words about the draft bonuses.  Within, Callis says that the Jays came within $341 of losing their 2013 first-rounder.  Loopholes.

Brandon Morrow threw a 42-pitch bullpen session yesterday, without issue, according to Barry Davis.  He'll throw live BP on Tuesday, and will then probably need a few rehab starts.  Assuming 4 rehab appearances to stretch back out, Saturday the 28th?  That's just me spitballing, but it at least gives us some kind of idea about when he might maybe be back.

JPA is DHing and batting 5th today, with Lind and Gose both sitting out against the lefty.  JP's on-base skills obviously leave something to be desired, which gives me doubts about him batting 5th, but looking at his splits, his career line vs. LHP is 232/.281/.484, good for a .325 wOBA (103 wRC+).  Not bad for a catcher, I suppose.  2012 shows .229/.270/.500 against lefties.  A .500 SLG is stuff Prince Fielder and Paul Konerko are made of, though that includes pitchers of both arms.  I dunno, rose-colored glasses I suppose.  


Speaking of rose-colored glasses, The Red Sox have Nick Punto playing 3B today.  Not Kevin Youkilis, not Marco Scutaro, and not Will Middlebrooks.  Could be worse.


Finally, the Mets have DFA'ed Miguel Batista.  I say this because the Jays had signed Jamie Moyer earlier this season.  Can't hurt, right?


Lineups
Jays
Lawrie 3B
Escobar SS
Rasmus CF
Edwin 1B
JPA DH
Davis RF
Snider LF
Mathis C
Vizquel 2B

Alvarez P

Red Sox
Ellsbury CF
Nava LF
Pedroia 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Ross DH
Saltalamacchia C
Sweeney RF
Aviles SS
Punto 3B

Lester P