Game 18: Tigers (6-11) at Blue Jays (8-9)

Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 4.58) vs. Dustin McGowan (0-1, 3.71)

The last time Jeremy Bonderman pitched in Rogers Centre, he threw perhaps the best game of his career, going toe-to-toe with Roy Halladay for nine innings and giving up just one run on six hits.  Unfortunately, Halladay pushed just a little bit further, getting the Tigers out in the 10th inning, while Bondo had to give way to Fernando Rodney, who saw the Jays small-ball their way to a walk-off victory.  In his career against Toronto, Bonderman has a 2-1 record and 3.00 ERA in eight appearances. 

Dustin McGowan has had a tough luck beginning to his season, going winless despite giving up three runs or less in each of his three starts.  Opposing lineups have managed to hit him, however, with 21 hits in 17 innings.  McGowan didn't face Detroit last season, but his career record against the Tigers is 1-2 with a 9.95 ERA in three starts.  But most of that damage was inflicted in back in 2005, when McGowan gave up 12 runs (including home runs by Carlos Pena and Craig Monroe) in 4 1/3 innings. 

Today is my little sister's wedding day, so I don't think I'll be checking in that much.  Although the ceremony isn't until this evening, so maybe I'll be able to devote some of my free afternoon time to keeping up on the ballgame.  (Um, I'm running errands... ?)  I'm looking forward to seeing a bunch of comments from the BYB Brigade, as that's a sure way to tell that the Tigers are doing well.  Thanks to everyone who's helped keep the site alive while I'm down south with my family.  Today's going to be a great day.