Pauley to Make MLB Debut

Sea Dogs right hander David Pauley will make his Major League debut tonight against the strong Toronto Blue Jays lineup. It's a tall order for Pauley's major league debut. The Blue Jays lead the majors with a collective 300/362/499 (861 OPS) batting line and are averaging 5.6 runs per game. The Jays lineup features seven regulars with OPS greater than 850. Pauley is having a fine season for Portland, sporting a 2.39 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 47/17 K/BB ratio in 60.1 innings with a hard-luck 2-3 record. He's a sinker/change/curveball guy who is effective when he throws strikes and keeps the ball on the ground. If he can manage that tonight, he should be fine. John Lester and Abe Alvarez are more major-league ready at Pawtucket, but their pitching schedules didn't work for this start. Best of luck, David!

Mike Rozier was promoted from Greenville and will take Pauley's start tonight. Rozier is a mid-grade prospect. In nine starts for the drive this year he's 3-1 with a 4.01 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. He has a rather pedestrian 31/20 K/BB ratio in 42.2 innings. He's still only 21, so he may be in position to take a leap forward in the next couple of seasons.