Burnett Looks For Revenge
Toronto‘s A.J. Burnett has bounced back nicely after Detroit knocked him around in his season debut.
Now, Burnett looks for revenge when the Blue Jays continue their four-game series with the Tigers Saturday at Rogers Centre.
Burnett (1-1, 7.27 ERA) lasted just two-plus innings and gave up six runs in his first start, a 10-9 loss on April 4 at Detroit.
Oddsmakers have made Toronto -1.5 point spread favorites (MLB Odds) for todays game, the over/under has been set at 10ev total runs (View MLB Sports Books). Our public betting information shows that 55% of bets for this game have been placed on Detroit +1.5 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
The start, which Burnett said was "embarrassing" and "unacceptable," was his shortest since a one-inning outing in Atlanta on June 30, 2004 while with Florida.
However, Burnett allowed just one run and three hits in 6 2-3 innings in his second start of the season, a 9-1 win over Kansas City on Monday. He said that the rough debut gave him a little motivation.
"I forgot about it quickly, but then again, I didn’t," Burnett told the Blue Jays’ official Web site. "It’s there in the back of your mind even though you’re preparing for this one, because I know I’m better than that. I know how good I am."
Burnett’s only other start against the Tigers came on Sept. 28 when he gave up five runs and five hits including two homers over 6 1-3 innings in Detroit, but still earned an 8-6 win.
Burnett will be looking to build on Roy Halladay’s impressive complete-game, 2-1 win in 10 innings over the Tigers on Friday. The Toronto ace became the first pitcher with a 10-inning complete game since Mark Mulder pitched St. Louis to a 1-0 victory over Houston on April 23, 2005.
Jeremy Bonderman nearly matched Halladay, going nine innings for the Tigers (6-4).
"That was a tremendous major league pitching duel between two outstanding pitchers. It doesn’t get much better than that," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said.
Alex Rios homered and drove in the winning run on a sacrifice fly for Toronto (6-4), which has won five of seven. Rios, who is hitting .326 (14-for-43) is the only Blue Jays player with a hit in every game this season.
Magglio Ordonez homered for the Tigers, who ended a three-game winning streak.
Toronto third baseman Troy Glaus did not play because of a sore left heel and hamstring, but the Blue Jays are hoping that he won’t have to go on the disabled list. However, they did place outfielder Reed Johnson on the DL with a herniated disc.
Chad Durbin (0-1, 11.57) will look to help the Tigers bounce back on Saturday. He gave up six runs and nine hits in 4 2-3 innings of Monday’s 6-2 loss at Baltimore in his first start since Aug. 26, 2004. Durbin spent 2005 and most of 2006 in the minors.
"I thought I’d be a lot more emotional, a lot more nervous than I was," said Durbin, who had a 2.08 ERA during spring training. "Maybe afterward I’ll think about it. This is one game. I threw a lot of strikes and this is something to take into next game – maybe just throw some better ones."
Durbin has had success against the Blue Jays, going 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in four career appearances with three starts against them.
by: Michael Cash – thespread.com – Email Us
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