While the do or die World Cup matches and the longest tennis match in the history of the sport stole the spotlight today, there is still a baseball game worthy of note taking place at the Rogers Centre tonight.
Ex-Blue Jay Chris Carpenter makes his return to Toronto to pitch against his former club for the second time in his career.
The 6’6 righthander wasn’t particularly effective for the Jays. He never posted an ERA under 4 or a WHIP under 1.35, and never won more than 12 games in his six years with the club. The Jays gave up on the oft-injured 1st round pick, and since arriving in St.Louis Carpenter has been one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
Carpenter won the National League Cy Young Award in 2005, winning 21 games and striking out over 200 batters for the first and only time in his career.
Despite battling extensive injuries in ’07 and ’08, Carpenter returned in 2009 and picked up right where he left off, going an impressive 17-4 and posting career bests in ERA and WHIP with 2.22 and 1.01 respectively.
He has been spectacular again so far this season, with an 8-1 record and a 2.83 ERA.
The Jays will counter with ace and strikeout machine Ricky Romero. He is just one strikeout behind Felix Hernandez for 3rd in the American League.
But he may have trouble slowing down a streaking Matt Holliday. The All-Star outfielder has hit a remarkable five home runs in his last four games, and has 11 hits and 10 RBIs in just 17 at bats during that span.
First pitch is at 7:07 EST.