After having a day to recharge their batteries, the Toronto Blue Jays will look to ride the momentum of their 16-inning marathon victory over the host Cleveland Indians into Saturday's afternoon tilt. J.P. Arencibia's three-run homer in the final frame capped the longest opening-day game in Major League Baseball history.
Although the contest took five hours, 14 minutes, the Indians will need a lot more time to see if their offense will make its presence felt this season. After its four-run second inning Thursday, Cleveland mustered only four hits the rest of the way (4-for-40).
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, RSN (Toronto), STO (Cleveland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays RH Brandon Morrow (2011: 11-11, 4.72 ERA) vs. Indians RH Ubaldo Jimenez (2011: 10-13, 4.68 ERA)
Morrow was in regular-season form during spring training, allowing only one run in 17 1/3 innings. Relying heavily on the strikeout, Morrow fanned 17 batters in 13 frames last season versus Cleveland - although he dropped his lone decision. He is 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA in his career against the Indians.
Jimenez showed a great deal of fire in spring training - although most of it was directed at former Colorado Rockies teammate Troy Tulowitzki. Jimenez, who is appealing a five-game suspension after hitting Tulowitzki with a pitch, struggled on the mound in the spring and has yet to regain his form from the early part of the 2010 season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto slugger Jose Bautista picked up where he left off in 2011 by going 3-for-4 with a home run Thursday. Bautista, however, has failed to get a hit in nine career at-bats versus Jimenez.
2. Cleveland's Jack Hannahan homered for the second straight season on opening day - and third time in his career. Hannahan is only 1-for-7 in his career versus Morrow.
3. The Blue Jays' bullpen was downright spectacular Thursday as seven relievers combined for 11 scoreless innings.