Royals at Blue Jays (Game 2)
The Toronto Blue Jays play in a stadium with a retractable roof, but that doesn't mean they're immune to harsh weather north of the border. A chunk of falling ice pierced the dome and caused the cancellation of Monday's scheduled game against the visiting Kansas City Royals, and the teams will make that up as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday.
The postponement on Monday marked the third straight for Toronto, which was washed out in Cleveland on Saturday and Sunday on the heels of a stretch of nine wins in 12 games. “Obviously, we’ve been playing really well, and you want that momentum going,” Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada told the Toronto Sun before finding out about Monday's postponement. "Maybe our first game out, we might be a little rusty, but I don’t think taking two days off is going to affect anybody." Veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia, who originally was slated to pitch Saturday, is expected to get the start in the first game for the Blue Jays against Eric Skoglund while J.A. Happ and Danny Duffy face off in the second game. The Royals had their game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday postponed and may have needed the break after losing five straight contests in which they allowed a total of 29 runs as they begin a seven-game road trip.
TV: 6:37 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, Sportsnet One (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Danny Duffy (0-2, 5.40 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH J.A. Happ (2-1, 3.94)
Duffy turned in his best effort of the young season against Seattle on Wednesday, when he yielded two runs - one earned - on four hits in 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven. The 29-year-old has yet to complete six innings through three starts despite averaging 100 pitches in the last two. Duffy did not face the Blue Jays last season and is 2-3 with a 5.93 ERA and 19 walks in 27 1/3 career innings against them, spanning six games (five starts).
Happ turned in his first quality start of 2018 when he held the Baltimore Orioles to one run on five hits while striking out nine in six innings on April 9. The 35-year-old owns 23 strikeouts and five walks in 16 total innings but also surrendered four home runs. Happ allowed two runs in 13 1/3 total innings over two starts against Kansas City last season but ended up 0-1 in those turns.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto RHP Roberto Osuna (five saves) allowed two hits and struck out five with no walks in 7 1/3 scoreless innings to start the season.
2. Kansas City is tied for last in the majors with five home runs - three from Mike Moustakas and two by Lucas Duda.
3. The Royals won four of their six matchups against the Blue Jays and were 17-15 versus the American League East last year.