TORONTO – The Blue Jays play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Yankees on Sunday. With a win, Toronto (3-3) would head into its first off-day of the regular season above .500 and with the Astros coming to town for a three-game set starting Tuesday. KRATZS FIRST START Catcher Erik Kratz was looking forward to being behind the plate for Drew Hutchisons start on Sunday afternoon. “I like his demeanour,” said Kratz. “I like how he goes after hitters and hes not afraid of contact. Hes going to go right after these guys and Im excited about it.” Its been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Kratz. Acquired from Philadelphia in the offseason, along with pitcher Rob Rasmussen, it was assumed Kratz would have the inside track to be Dioner Navarros backup because hes an offensive threat. Kratz lost the job to Josh Thole, who has a lengthy track record catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, but was recalled in time for opening day when Casey Janssen went on the disabled list. “Theyve been up and down for sure,” said Kratz. “When I got sent down I was disappointed but when I got called back up obviously youre excited again. Its something that, its part of the game, its part of where Im at in my career.” He understands the business and knows there are limited opportunities to impress. But Kratz is familiar to the organization, the Blue Jays drafted him in 2002, and hes confident hes built up enough of a resume during his time in Philadelphia. He hit 18 home runs in 375 at-bats over the last two seasons. “I cant sit here and say, Oh man, this one at-bat that Im going to get off the bench is going to make or break my season,” said Kratz. “Its something that you do have to take advantage of your opportunities. Ive been fortunate to have opportunities in the big leagues so Ive put together a little bit of a resume.” Should he be called upon to catch Dickey this season, Kratz has confidence in his ability to receive the knuckleball. “Its as good as its been,” said Kratz. “I think he said it right and he knows the pitch the best. I definitely improved. Is there room for more improvement? Absolutely. I think its something that, getting that comfort level out in those games, lights are a little brighter than in spring training. Just the more reps I can get the more comfortable Ill get.” WALDEN “SHOCKED” AT CALL-UP Needless to say Marcus Walden was surprised when his contract was purchased from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday. “I was definitely shocked,” said Walden. “I saw that they were calling up Chad Jenkins. I didnt hear of a 10-day rule, I had no knowledge of it, so my skipper called me in and I was shocked. Really shocked.” The 10-day rule to which Walden is referring applies to players optioned to the minor leagues. Players on option already are on the 40-man roster and if theyre sent to the minor leagues, they must spend 10 regular season days on option before theyre eligible to be recalled. The lone exception is to be an injury replacement when someone on the big league roster is placed on the disabled list. The Blue Jays intended to recall Chad Jenkins but, because hes on option, he isnt eligible for call up until April 10, the 11th day of the regular season. Walden wasnt on the 40-man roster, hence his contract being “purchased,” and so he was selected as Jeremy Jeffress replacement when Jeffress was designated for assignment. Walden, 25, is a sinkerball pitcher who relies on ground ball outs. His career minor league strikeout rate of 5.4 per nine innings reflects his approach. He missed most of 2009 and all of 2010 after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery. Walden made a number of adjustments to his training regimen as a result. “Ever since then Ive kind of changed a lot of stuff about working out and doing a lot of things to get myself ready to pitch,” said Walden. “At the end of the day I think its paid off.” Walden swears by yoga; he estimates he participated in 40 to 50 sessions in the offseason. Hes considered one of the strongest players in the Blue Jays organization and he credits yoga. “I think its something, it kind of gets people to be more limber and more flexible,” said Walden. “If youve got really big, strong, tight muscles it does you no good. The more limber you are, the more flexibility you can have, the looser your muscles are to help with not having injuries.” ,b>POSITIVE SIGN For the first time in franchise history, the Blue Jays first three wins of a season have come with the club scoring fewer than four runs in each of the victories. The starting pitching, with the benefit of improved defence, is off to a much better start than last year. Its early but the Blue Jays 3.78 starting staff ERA has the team on track to vastly improve on last seasons 4.81 ERA amongst starters, which ranked second worst in baseball. Boston Celtics Store .com) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed guard Seth Curry on Tuesday. Custom Boston Celtics Jerseys . Speaking with TSN 1050 following Brendan Shanahans introductory press conference, the Leafs GM also addressed the clubs perceived leadership issues and the type of working relationship that can be expected within Torontos front office. https://www.cheapceltics.com/. Picard had a goal and two assists to help Canada improve to 2-0 at the tournament. Seven different players scored for the two-time defending champions. "Today all four lines played excellent," said head coach Laura Schuler. Boston Celtics Shirts .ca! There is plenty of blame to be shared as a result of the most recent NHL player (Pittsburghs Brooks Orpik) to be evacuated from the ice on a stretcher following an ugly incident Saturday night in Boston. Cheap Celtics Jerseys . - Tiger Woods only made it through 10 holes Thursday — this time because of the weather, not his back.Adrian Lewis continued his war of words with Gerwyn Price after defeating the Welshman in the last-16 of the World Matchplay. An ongoing feud between the players had dominated the build-up to their last-16 match, but Lewis inflicted an 11-5 defeat on Price before launching another verbal attack in the post-match interview.Lewis, who was beaten by Price in last years tournament, exchanged heated words with Price on social media in recent days and gave a parting shot after winning the grudge match. The reflection was, I was rubbish, and that just shows why hes nobody, simple as that, Lewis told Sky Sports.He turned up there, bottled it, simple as that. Between greatness and not so great, that just showed tonight. Earlier in the night, defending champion Michael van Gerwen had maintained his dominant form with a one-sided 11-3 win over Kyle Anderson to reach the quarter-finals in Blackpool. Michael van Gerwen was not satisfied with his dominant win over Kyle Anderson Van Gerwen will next face Dave Chisnall, who inflicted an 11-2 thrashing on Robert Thornton,, while Peter Wright claimed an 11-6 win over Ian White to set up a match with Lewis.ddddddddddddHowever, all eyes were on Lewis and Price in the closing match of the night and the pair exchanged a frosty hand shake on stage.There would be passionate celebrations from each player as they exchanged the early legs and Price gave a triumphant fist pump to the crowd after trimming Lewis lead to 3-2 at the interval. Gerwyn Price could not keep pace with Lewis after the early legs But the squabbling pair seemed drained by the outpouring of emotion when the action restarted and the match lost its competitive edge, with Lewis tamely taking legs from the subdued Price.With both mens scoring averages languishing in the 80s, Lewis would end the scrappy contest on double 16 and offered a brief handshake and a hug to Price, although he would reignite their rivalry minutes later.In stark contrast, Van Gerwen displayed icy composure as he raced into a 5-0 lead against Anderson, just days after his 10-0 demolition of Jamie Caven.The Australian needed to produce a stunning 160 to stop Van Gerwen from extending this perfect run, but he would claim just two more legs as Mighty Mike powered to victory. Peter Wright also booked his place in the quarter-finals World Matchplay, last-16 results:Robert Thornton 2-11 Dave ChisnallPeter Wright 11-6 Ian WhiteMichael van Gerwen 11-3 Kyle AndersonAdrian Lewis 11-5 Gerwyn Price Also See: Sky Bets darts odds On Sky TV Schedule/Results Features Get Sky Sports ' ' '