Series Preview: Toronto Blue Jays, April 2-4

The Tribe opens the season on the road in the Rogers Centre with a three game set scheduled for Tuesday April 2, Wednesday April 3 and Thursday April 4, all with 7:07 PM start times. They then conclude this trip with a three game set in Tampa.

Team in a Box

Last Season, the Blue Jays didn't walk that often, but generated enough offense to be middle of the pack. Their weakness, like ours, was the pitching staff. However, they had more injuries to their starters, with only Henderson Alvarez and Ricky Romero with 25 or more starts. In all they used 12 different starting pitchers, including LGFT Aaron Laffey for 12. In the offseason, there was a massive turnover of the roster. They imported three new starters, RA Dickey, Josh Johnson and former South Sider Mark Buehrle. And the offense imported Jose Reyes at short, Melky Cabrera in left and picked up super sub, LGFT, Mark DeRosa.

Projected Lineup (with 2012 stats)

This lineup looks much more balanced than last years and has decent pop. The only gaping hole seems to be Bonifacio, but those are the type of players that usually give us fits. Brett Lawrie opens the year on the DL so LGFT Maicer Izturis starts in his place. Rasmus is still young and hopefully improves entering his prime year at age 26.

Projected Starters (with 2012 stats)

Dickey and Buerhle are off-season acquisitions. Dickey is very good when his knuckler is fluttering as last year's Cy Young will attest to, but in my experience, that flutter can disappear pretty quickly too. Not that I expect that in the first game of the season. Morroe, when healthy has been pretty good. Originally I thought Buerhle was a Tribe killer, but his career record is 15-17 and 4.77 ERA in 46 starts.

Key Relievers (with 2012 stats)

As good as Janssen was last year, he ended up with only 22 saves. Other projected relievers include lefties Darren Oliver and Brett Cecil, and righties Jeremy Jeffress and LNFT Esmil Rogers.

On the Shelf

• SP Kyle Drabek (Tommy John surgery) - 60-day DL, possible midseason
• SP Drew Hutchinson (Tommy John surgery) - 60-day DL, possibly post All-Star game
• RP Luis Perez (Tommy John surgery) - 60-day DL, possible midseason
• SP Dustin McGowan (Right shoulder)
• 3B Brett Lawrie (Strained left rib cage) - 15-day DL

With Lawrie a no-go, Izturis subs for him initially, but LGFT Mark DeRosa might also see some playing time at third.

Almanac