hockeyfan1
New member
Okay everybody, it's time for....
....PLAYBALL!
The Toronto Blue Jays start their Opening Day 4 game series against the New York Yankees tomorrow at the Rogers Centre. (Thursday March 29th -Sunday April 1st).
Many baseball pundits have pegged the Blue Jays for a third place finish in the A.L. East, behind the Yankees & the Boston Red Sox. Some even say that the Jays could challenge for a Wildcard spot (perhaps the second WC spot). Perhaps. But first, the season...
As any Bkue Jay fan can relate, last season (2017) can be termed once again as the season from hell, the cursed season, etc., and rightly so. With the Blue Jays having lost so many man games to injury, more than any other team in the Major Leagues, it sure can be described that way. Sanchez's blistered finger, Devon Travis out, Tulo on & off, the list was endless.
Enough. That is over.
New season, no new injuries, new hopes (kind of), clean slate.
Pitcher Aaron Sanchez has had a blister-free Spring, while fellow starter Marcus Stroman has battled a slight shoulder inflammation though nothing that would hamper his start. The lone Blue Jay on the shelf is Troy Tulowitzki, no date for his return yet. Teammate Devon Travis finally appears healthy though Manager Gibbons will play him wisely.
There are a few additions to the Jays roster. Almedmys Diaz (St.Louis Cardinals) and Yangervis Solarte both infielders giving Gibbons options on subsituting Travis for Diaz at 2b for example. Other signees were outfielders Curtis Granderson (former Mets & Dodgers); & Kevin Grichuk; Starting Pitcher Jaime Garcia (who has played for a slew of geams); Korean Relief Pitcher Seung-hwan Oh (St.Louis Cardinals); Infielder Gift Ngoepe.
Adios to Jose Bautista, franchise icon who became a UFA at the end of last season and un re-signed by Toronto. Teoscar Hernandez, who was one of the Minor Leaguer September callups last year, will remain a fixture with the team. Hernandez, who plays LF certainly can help the Jays in that regard with his blazingly fast long bomb throws and his speed from that position.
Jays top prospects Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will return to Double A. Guerrero Jr., the son of Montr?al Expos legend Vladimir Guerrero, impressed in Spring Training this year batting over.500, and was given an ovation by the Montręal fans, when the Blue Jays played St.Louis in this week's final exhibition games at the Big O in Montr?al. The future beckons...
So, tomorrow's the start of a new campaign for the Blue Jays and the Jays faithful not just here in Toronto, but all across the country and Canadian baseball followers the world over, will be cheering and chanting...
...LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!
....PLAYBALL!
The Toronto Blue Jays start their Opening Day 4 game series against the New York Yankees tomorrow at the Rogers Centre. (Thursday March 29th -Sunday April 1st).
Many baseball pundits have pegged the Blue Jays for a third place finish in the A.L. East, behind the Yankees & the Boston Red Sox. Some even say that the Jays could challenge for a Wildcard spot (perhaps the second WC spot). Perhaps. But first, the season...
As any Bkue Jay fan can relate, last season (2017) can be termed once again as the season from hell, the cursed season, etc., and rightly so. With the Blue Jays having lost so many man games to injury, more than any other team in the Major Leagues, it sure can be described that way. Sanchez's blistered finger, Devon Travis out, Tulo on & off, the list was endless.
Enough. That is over.
New season, no new injuries, new hopes (kind of), clean slate.
Pitcher Aaron Sanchez has had a blister-free Spring, while fellow starter Marcus Stroman has battled a slight shoulder inflammation though nothing that would hamper his start. The lone Blue Jay on the shelf is Troy Tulowitzki, no date for his return yet. Teammate Devon Travis finally appears healthy though Manager Gibbons will play him wisely.
There are a few additions to the Jays roster. Almedmys Diaz (St.Louis Cardinals) and Yangervis Solarte both infielders giving Gibbons options on subsituting Travis for Diaz at 2b for example. Other signees were outfielders Curtis Granderson (former Mets & Dodgers); & Kevin Grichuk; Starting Pitcher Jaime Garcia (who has played for a slew of geams); Korean Relief Pitcher Seung-hwan Oh (St.Louis Cardinals); Infielder Gift Ngoepe.
Adios to Jose Bautista, franchise icon who became a UFA at the end of last season and un re-signed by Toronto. Teoscar Hernandez, who was one of the Minor Leaguer September callups last year, will remain a fixture with the team. Hernandez, who plays LF certainly can help the Jays in that regard with his blazingly fast long bomb throws and his speed from that position.
Jays top prospects Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will return to Double A. Guerrero Jr., the son of Montr?al Expos legend Vladimir Guerrero, impressed in Spring Training this year batting over.500, and was given an ovation by the Montręal fans, when the Blue Jays played St.Louis in this week's final exhibition games at the Big O in Montr?al. The future beckons...
So, tomorrow's the start of a new campaign for the Blue Jays and the Jays faithful not just here in Toronto, but all across the country and Canadian baseball followers the world over, will be cheering and chanting...
...LET'S GO BLUE JAYS!