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MLB Predictions / Previews: Toronto Blue Jays

What a difference a season can make. A year ago, the Jays were on everyone’s sleeper list in terms of teams to bet on with MLB predictions…

2009 MLB Team Preview – Toronto Blue Jays

What a difference a season can make. A year ago, the Jays were on everyone’s sleeper list in the MLB odds. They had, arguably, the best pitching in the AL, featuring a one-two punch of Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett, good young arms in Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum and the league’s stingiest bullpen.They also were perceived to have a solid if unspectacular hitting lineup with plenty of pop. In many ways, online betting fans expected the Jays to do what the Rays did last year. 

Pretty amazing how quickly those hopes have evaporated at the sportsbook. Forget Toronto’s disappointing 2008; 86 wins wasn’t really a “bust.” It’s 2009 that looks like a nightmare for Canada’s team. Not only did the mercenary Burnett bolt for the Yankees, but McGowan (shoulder) and Marcum (Tommy John) were both lost to surgery. McGowan will return in May at the absolute earliest while Marcum won’t play in 2009. Thus, a strength is suddenly a weakness for Toronto. 

The Jays’ hitting could really go either way; it grossly underachieved for two seasons before Cito Gaston, the man who managed Toronto to World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, returned and got the hitters swinging freely again. Sure, there’s upside – Vernon Wells and Alex Rios are talented and youngsters Adam Lind and Travis Snider appear ready to become viable major league sluggers – but, as usual, a lot has to go right for the Jays to compete in MLB odds this year. 

The bullpen should remain a strength, with B.J. Ryan healthy for now and the likes of Brandon League and Jesse Carlson forming a capable supporting unit. But will it matter if the Jays have no leads to protect in the ninth inning? 

No matter how optimistic an online sports betting fan could be about the Jays, Toronto has little to no hope in the 2009 MLB odds. Even if they absurdly overachieved and somehow won, say, 90 games, that could still put them fourth in their division. In fact, three other teams in AL East alone – the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays – are, arguably, among the top five World Series betting candidates for ’09. 

Yep, it’ll be a long year for Blue Jay fans. I’m not saying you can never pick them in MLB lines this season, but make sure you only pick them in favorable matchups.

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By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"

One reply on “MLB Predictions / Previews: Toronto Blue Jays”

The blue jays are actually a savvy pick for al east if the young arms respond (CAN U SAY TAMPA?)). The plus is they have better offense than last year with a healthy Hill, Travis Snider, and hopefully a full season from Wells and better years from Rolen and Rios. The blue jays were 51-37 under cito gaston (93-69 over a whole season) with basically less offense than last year and the same pitching as this year except for burnett and the young arms have a chance to do as well as his 4.01 era by mid season. Cito is underrated manger with a ton to prove as only black skipper with two world series rings and never rehired again. As good as Joe Torre or better but because he was black rationalization was that he had great teams (Torre didnt” ? wat happened the last 6 years you were there Joe? Yankees spent a lot more than bjs in those years) There is major competition for the last 2-3 pitching spots if some young guns falter on bjs and they will still have best bullpen in baseball. Yankees should be 5 games better…maybe ….but the division is really a toss up. Texeria and CC should more than offset ARODS problems but Burnett love overdue for elbow problems Boston and Tampa have not really improved. Penny may help Sox but there are many holes and they are aging. Tampa will still compete very well but they havent improved much on the field (can you say Detroits young pitching guns that looked invincible for a decade 3 years ago)a nd keeping last years intensity may be hard with young team. You get can 50-1 odds vs bjs making playoffs. Bet a few hundred bucks if u have to take a flyer on and put a down payment on a house as the eastern elite will give u the sucker bet as they love to drink the Kool aid. Better than giving your money to Bernie Madoff!!! Any of u guys above do that? be honest

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