Friday Bantering: Jays Bits Reveal Shocking Secrets You Won’t Believe!

I set my whole day up to kick back and catch tonight’s ballgame—only to find out it isn’t airing anywhere. Well, that’s just dandy! Looks like I’m trading the couch for a shovel because Calgary’s mood swing from a mild +9 yesterday to a full snow dump overnight is typical, whew. Living here? Always an unexpected adventure. But hey, while I tackle the winter mess, let’s get you clued up on the lineups—you don’t want to miss the showdown between the Blue Jays and the Rays. Trust me, there’s more to this match than just who’s batting clean-up; we’re talking challenge battles and payroll battles, too. Intrigued yet? Dive in and LEARN MORE.

Today’s game isn’t on TV. I planned my day around getting to sit and watch tonight’s game. And it isn’t on TV. I guess I’m going out to shovel snow. It was +9 yesterday. I wore a light sweater. Overnight it snowed, a lot. The joys of living in Calgary.

Today’s lineups:

Today’s Lineups

BLUE JAYS	RAYS
Nathan Lukes – CF	Yandy Diaz – 1B
Davis Schneider – 2B	Jonathan Aranda – DH
Addison Barger – RF	Jake Fraley – RF
Jesus Sanchez – LF	Junior Caminero – 3B
Eloy Jimenez – DH	Cedric Mullins – CF
Leo Jimenez – SS	Chandler Simpson – LF
C.J. Stubbs – C	Ben Williamson – SS
Ben Cowles – 3B	Richie Palacios – 2B
Riley Tirotta – 1B	Hunter Feduccia – C

Eric Lauer – LHP	Ryan Pepiot – RHP

The Sporting News tells us that Davis Schneider had the best ‘challenge success rate’ of any Triple-A player. He challenged 12 times and was right 10 times. Davis was robbed on calls a lot last year. He should be able to benefit from the challenge system. I wonder if ability to get challenges right will play into a) roster choices and b) lineup choices.

It will be interesting to see who is good at challenges and who isn’t. I would imagine that there will be some players who are told not to challenge, but then, I think, for some, the challenge will almost be a reflex. That was wide, hit the helmet.

If $280 million was it, there are five teams who would be above the cap (if it was this season). Dodgers ($382 million), Mets ($369 million), Yankees ($330 million), Phillies ($311 million) and Blue Jays ($300 million).

If $140 million was the floor, 11 teams would be below it ($160 million would add two more teams). A’s at $131 million all the way to Marlins at $78 million. A lot of teams would have to go on spending sprees. I believe those 11 teams are the reason why it is going to be hard to get this cap. I don’t think the Marlins are going to want to double their payroll.

But I’m often wrong.

I don’t have any particular memories of Froemming. Share if you do.