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Morrow is 5-2 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 17 games (11 starts) against the Yankees.

Knowing the competition: Toronto Blue Jays

Morrow is 5-2 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 17 games (11 starts) against the Yankees.

 

Threat Level: 9

The Blue Jays were the busiest team in baseball over the offseason, as they made a major overhaul to their roster heading into the 2013 season.  Jose Reyes, R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, Melky Cabrera, and Emilio Bonifacio to name the big moves. These moves have created enormous buzz heading into the new season and with buzz comes high expectations, which is not common for baseball in Toronto. However, there is chemistry in baseball and a large array of changes does not always equal success, just look at the 2012 Miami Marlins, who fell flat with their sky-high expectations. If the 2013 Blue Jays do not make the playoffs, which they have not done since they won the World Series in 1993, they will be considered a failure. On paper, this team may be the best in the American League East, but sports are not played on paper, so it will be very interesting to see how well this team plays with all the new players.

 

Projected Lineup

1. Jose Reyes SS

2. Melky Cabrera LF

3. Jose Bautista RF

4. Edwin Encarnacion 1B

5. Colby Rasmus CF

6. Adam Lind DH

7. J.P. Arencibia C

8. Emilio Bonifacio 2B

9. Maicer Izturis 3B

 

Projected Starting Rotation

1. R.A. Dickey RHP

2. Brandon Morrow RHP

3. Mark Buehrle LHP

4. Josh Johnson RHP

5. J.A. Happ LHP

 

*Brett Lawrie will start season on DL (Rib cage injury)

 

Closer

Casey Janssen RHP

 

Yankee Killer: Brandon Morrow

Morrow is 5-2 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 17 games (11 starts) against the Yankees. Not too shabby. Throw in the fact that he has 79 strikeouts in 71 innings and his numbers against the Yankees look even better. Then, throw in how he has only allowed a total of 4 earned runs in his last 4 starts against the Yankees over the last 2 seasons and you see a pitcher who has some serious mojo against the Bombers.

 

Blue Jay Killers: Brett Gardner and CC Sabathia

Funny thing, if you have been following these previews, then you should remember that I nominated these 2 players as “White Sox killers.” Again, I find myself compromising and selecting 2 players, since these two are equally deserving. Brett Gardner has a .357 career average against the Jays. That average is second to American League opponents behind, you guessed it, the White Sox. Also, he has 6 career triples, which is twice as many as he has against any other team. Sabathia’s numbers are also very impressive. He has a 13-4 record against Toronto with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. His numbers at the Rodgers Centre are even more impressive as he is 6-1 with a 2.62 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Maintaining those numbers for Sabathia is going to be a tough task in 2013, as the Blue Jays have substantially bolstered their lineup.

 

When They Play The Yankees:

IN NY: 4/26-4/28, 5/17-5/19, 8/20-8/22.

IN TOR: 4/19-4/21, 8/26-8/28, 9/17-9/19.