The Prophet 22;372222 wrotethis team is a write off.

Jeez have a little faith! ;)

piggypie123;372240 wroteJeez have a little faith! ;)

Kind of ironic that you would use that particular word. You probably won't believe me, but I said to a friend of mine that the Raptors and Leafs won't make the playoffs until both presidents were changed. And with the Raptors entering the playoffs this year and the Leafs last year, both predictions came true in the first two seasons of the new management. The Leafs would be there again except for the collapse of the last 8 games. The same is true with the Jays. Why would the Jays fire JP and hire the man he trained. While AA may have some of his own ideas, he largely learned about being a GM under JP. When he started out, it looked like AA had a vision for this team, but 5 years later, we are no better off in all reality with an expected position of 4th at best but realistically last.

In order for this team to make the playoffs everything has to go perfect. Brett Lawrie and José Bautista each have to play 300 games between them. Lawrie needs to increase his OPS, EE does what he did again, Lind needs to get better, Reyes needs to do what he is capable of doing and the overall defense needs to improve greatly. (Goins needs to be exceptional at 2nd and hit .200 at the very least).

Team Defensive Runs Saved in 2013
Kansas City Royals—93
Arizona Diamondbacks—86
Pittsburgh Pirates—68
Milwaukee Brewers—58
L.A. Dodgers—47
12. Toronto Blue Jays—15

Source: Fangraphs

Pitching

It is safe to say the Jays need to improve the ERA for starters ranked 12th last year. It is safe to say, that RA and Buehrle each have to pitch 200 inning. The other 3 is such an unknown at this point. If the Jays can some how get 35 wins from these starters, the Jays will have a fighting chance. (Provided everyone else does what they are capable of doing.

Teams are going to break down, that is the nature of baseball. It is how teams deal with the adversity that will get them through. AA has not done a good job of that. The New York Mets top two prospects are for Jays, but eve Dicky wins 15 games and throws 200 it is a wash. (Gomes batted .294 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 88 games last season) Wasn't he a Jay? Wasn't AA watching JPA play last year?

Besides pitching and defense, (which is always how you win in baseball) Brett Lawrie needs to have a breakout year in all aspects of the game of the game and Melky Cabrera needs to show he can play without the juice. (I think the juice masked the pain and he will never be the same)

I think by Mothers Day, we will know what kind of team we have and make the adjustments we need to make the playoffs this year. If it doesn't look good, AA should see what kind of talent he has in the minors and let them learn on the job at the majors. Chances are we could get a boatload for EE and Joey Bats.

Predication

Jays finish 5th in the division and won't crack the top 10 in the American League.

I predict Jays win over 80 games.

Lind and Goins starting on the bench for game 1.

payperview;372253 wroteI predict Jays win over 80 games.

Lind and Goins starting on the bench for game 1.

you realize that the number you are setting is below .500 so if the win 81 games they reach your goal of going over but not getting anywhere near the playoffs.

Having said that: Vegas has Toronto Blue Jays - 79.5.

Reyes leaves game. Season over.

JohnnieH;372259 wroteReyes leaves game. Season over.

Sigh.

Kratz for MVP!

and we don't have to listen to Buck any more this game. :D

Hobbes;372269 wroteand we don't have to listen to Buck any more this game. :D

Hands down highlight of the game this far

Hobbes;372269 wroteand we don't have to listen to Buck any more this game. :D

Buck was very aggressive today, and the station had no answer for it.

Drew Hutchinson had a solid spring, lets hope the Jays can even the series tomorrow.

The Prophet 22;372248 wroteKind of ironic that you would use that particular word. You probably won't believe me, but I said to a friend of mine that the Raptors and Leafs won't make the playoffs until both presidents were changed. And with the Raptors entering the playoffs this year and the Leafs last year, both predictions came true in the first two seasons of the new management. The Leafs would be there again except for the collapse of the last 8 games. The same is true with the Jays. Why would the Jays fire JP and hire the man he trained. While AA may have some of his own ideas, he largely learned about being a GM under JP. When he started out, it looked like AA had a vision for this team, but 5 years later, we are no better off in all reality with an expected position of 4th at best but realistically last.

In order for this team to make the playoffs everything has to go perfect. Brett Lawrie and José Bautista each have to play 300 games between them. Lawrie needs to increase his OPS, EE does what he did again, Lind needs to get better, Reyes needs to do what he is capable of doing and the overall defense needs to improve greatly. (Goins needs to be exceptional at 2nd and hit .200 at the very least).

Team Defensive Runs Saved in 2013
Kansas City Royals—93
Arizona Diamondbacks—86
Pittsburgh Pirates—68
Milwaukee Brewers—58
L.A. Dodgers—47
12. Toronto Blue Jays—15

Source: Fangraphs

Pitching

It is safe to say the Jays need to improve the ERA for starters ranked 12th last year. It is safe to say, that RA and Buehrle each have to pitch 200 inning. The other 3 is such an unknown at this point. If the Jays can some how get 35 wins from these starters, the Jays will have a fighting chance. (Provided everyone else does what they are capable of doing.

Teams are going to break down, that is the nature of baseball. It is how teams deal with the adversity that will get them through. AA has not done a good job of that. The New York Mets top two prospects are for Jays, but eve Dicky wins 15 games and throws 200 it is a wash. (Gomes batted .294 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 88 games last season) Wasn't he a Jay? Wasn't AA watching JPA play last year?

Besides pitching and defense, (which is always how you win in baseball) Brett Lawrie needs to have a breakout year in all aspects of the game of the game and Melky Cabrera needs to show he can play without the juice. (I think the juice masked the pain and he will never be the same)

I think by Mothers Day, we will know what kind of team we have and make the adjustments we need to make the playoffs this year. If it doesn't look good, AA should see what kind of talent he has in the minors and let them learn on the job at the majors. Chances are we could get a boatload for EE and Joey Bats.

Predication

Jays finish 5th in the division and won't crack the top 10 in the American League.

You sure know your Baesball.

piggypie123;372315 wroteYou sure know your Baesball.

In truth, it is the only thing I understand 100%.

payperview;372289 wroteDrew Hutchinson had a solid spring, lets hope the Jays can even the series tomorrow.

He had a very good outing. As usual Santos managed to make an easy 9th into a nail biter.

Is it too early to plan the parade route. After all we are 1-1.

payperview;372395 wroteHe had a very good outing. As usual Santos managed to make an easy 9th into a nail biter.

Is it too early to plan the parade route. After all we are 1-1.

You realize an average centre fielder makes that play in the 9th and Sergio isn't in that situation. ^-^

On the plus side Lind is picking up where he left off this spring and Hutch looked good. I do like him. Hope he is healthy.

Back to Sergio, if he keeps the ball where he did last night all season. He is going to put up phenomenal numbers!