Detroit Tigers (7-4) vs Toronto Blue Jays (6-5)
Rogers Centre @ 1:07pm EST
FSND/AM 1270

Nate Robertson (2-0 1.38 ERA) vs Josh Towers (0-1 4.76 ERA)

Nate Robertson will look to carry on the momentum capped off by a ninth inning win yesterday. Nate had his first start of the year against the Blue Jays on April 4th which resulted in his first win. In the game he pitched five solid innings giving up only a two-run homerun in the sixth before being replaced by Grilli.

Nate will need to lookout for Toronto’s second baseman Aaron Hill who is batting a lifetime .700 against him (7-10 2 HR, 1 2B, .727 OBP). Outside of Hill most other Toronto batters have few at bats against Robertson with the exception of Frank Thomas who is hitting .308 in 13 AB’s.

On the mound for the Blue Jays is Josh Towers. Detroit did not face Towers in ‘06 and this will be his second start for Toronto this year. Towers was roughed up in his first outing against the Royals who took him for 10 hits over 5.2 inning and six runs, three of which were earned. Most Tigers will be seeing Towers for the first time with the notable exceptions of:

• Magglio Ordonez - 5-10 .500, 1 HR
• Ivan Rodriguez - 4-6 .667
• Gary Sheffield - 3-16 .188, 2 SO

So it appears that while Towers can struggle with many hitters he has found the secret to Sheffield. Either way, If Detroit’s offense can continue with yesterday’s success and Nate continues his domination of opposing batters it will not matter.

[UPDATE] Toronto will be without BJ Ryan who blew the save yesterday and gave up four runs in the ninth. Ryan will go see Dr. Andrews after feeling soreness in the elbow, Jason Frasor will assume the closing duties.

Today is also Jackie Robinson day around the MLB. It is commemorating Jackie Robinson’s first MLB game and you can find out more information at MLB.com on what is happening around all of baseball. Ian at blessyouboys.com also has more information.