Toronto @ Miami preview
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Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2012 ) Toronto 12, Miami 5
Ricky Romero gave the taxed Toronto bullpen a much-needed rest Friday night, working seven innings in a one-sided win over Miami. That leaves fellow left-hander Brett Cecil a tough act to follow as he takes the mound Saturday afternoon when the Blue Jays resume their interleague series with the host Marlins. Cecil will look to build on a successful first outing of the season. He'll be opposed by strapping veteran Josh Johnson, who has also been red-hot of late.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, Rogers Sportsnet (Toronto), Fox Sports Florida (Miami).
PITCHING MATCHUP: Blue Jays LH Brett Cecil (1-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Josh Johnson (4-5, 4.18)
A 15-game winner in his rookie 2010 season, Cecil's sophomore campaign was an unmitigated disaster. His first start of 2012 suggests he may be on the way back to prominence as the 25-year-old southpaw limited Philadelphia to a pair of runs over five strong innings. The National League has been unkind to Cecil over his career, saddling him with a 1-4 record and 7.78 ERA in six career starts.
Johnson has been better than his numbers indicate, having allowed two runs or fewer in six of his last eight starts. He was the hard-luck loser last time out, surrendering two runs over six hits in a 3-0 loss to the state-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Johnson had won four of his previous six starts prior to the defeat. The hard-throwing right-hander has had little trouble with the Blue Jays, going 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 career innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto OF Jose Bautista slugged his 23rd home run of the season in Friday's series-opening win, evening him with White Sox slugger Adam Dunn for the major-league lead.
2. The Toronto lineup is hitting a collective .294 vs. Johnson. Colby Lewis is 4-for-11 against him while Kelly Johnson is 4-for-12.
3. Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton has homered in back-to-back contests following an 11-game drought.