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2015 Toronto Blue Jays Season Predictions | MLB Betting Preview & Odds

2015 MLB Team Previews – Blue Jays

There has been a lot of hype and disappointment with the Toronto Blue Jays over the last couple of seasons.

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This year both are more measured and I think they might be finally ready to breakthrough and make the playoffs . All signs point to them improving on their 83 wins from a year ago and they are a legit postseason threat.

This is definitely a team to buy low on and now is the time.

2015 MLB Team Previews – Toronto Blue Jays

  • American League East:  +225
  • American League:  +900
  • World Series:  +1800

Key Additions:

  • C – Russell Martin
  • 3B – Josh Donaldson

The everyday lineup should be even more powerful with the addition of these two hitters, who both come from winning environments.

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Key Losses:

  • 1B – Adam Lind
  • 3B – Brett Lawrie
  • OF – Colby Rasmus
  • CL – Casey Janssen

Lawrie will at some point have a season worth remembering but he has been so injury prone in his career so far. The rest are players who will not be missed very much.

Projected Starting Lineup:

  • Jose Reyes – SS
  • Russell Martin – C
  • Jose Bautista – OF
  • Edwin Encarnacion – DH
  • Josh Donaldson – 3B
  • Justin Smoak – 1B
  • Maicer Izturis – 2B
  • Kevin Pillar – OF
  • Dalton Pompey – OF

It is hard to find a lineup with a better top five than the Blue Jays. The 3,4,5, hitters should combine for more than 100 homers all on their own and Reyes and Martin will score 100+ runs with all that heavy lumber behind them.

The only concern up top is that the big boppers are all right handed hitters.

They are all good hitters though, not just HR/SO guys so I think that is not too much a cause for concern.

The lower half of the order has some question marks with only Izturis an established MLB quantity (sort of). Young OFers Pillar and Pompey have lots to prove, especially Pompey.

If they can avoid striking out too much than they can use their speed to create some opportunities though. Smoak also has to avoid having too many empty at bats because they need his lefty presence.

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If he sticks he has enough power to hit 25+ homers at Rogers Centre.

Projected Starting Rotation:

  • RH R.A. Dickey
  • LH Mark Buehrle
  • RH Drew Hutchison
  • LH Daniel Norris
  • Aaron Sanchez (Possibly)
  • RH Marcus Stroman (OUT for 2015 – Stroman, 23, tore the ACL in his left knee)

The final spot in the rotation could be Norris or Aaron Sanchez or even Marco Estrada. I am giving the rookie Norris the benefit of the doubt as I am the entire rotation.

It might lack in star quality unless Stroman takes a big leap but this is a very solid group from top to bottom. All should be able to compile winning records and their styles vary enough to complement each other too.

Sanchez has the best arm in the system but I think it winds up in the bullpen, at least for this season.

One thing great about this group is that they should be pretty healthy, only Hutch has had arm problems in the past but he showed last season that he is back and as strong as ever.

Closer:

  • LH Brett Cecil
  • RH Steve Delabar

Sanchez proved last year that he has electric stuff, this year he will have to prove he can handle high leverage situations too.

Right now there is still talk he could be in the rotation but when you look at the current group of pitchers the team has it just doesn’t make sense.

A key to the Jays season could be the return to health and success of Delabar. He was an All-Star in 2013 and completely lost it last season. If he can be counted upon then the bullpen can be good enough.

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Cecil and Aaron Loup are solid lefties and they have plenty of swing/long relief guys to choose from.

2015 Toronto Blue Jays Season Predictions:

I am definitely bullish on the Jays who are flying below the radar right now. With the players they have in that home park it would not surprise me if they score the most runs in the American League this season.

The defense should be better too, especially behind the plate with Martin and they have added “winners”, something this team has desperately needed. All eyes are on the pitching which I think should be more than adequate.

The American League East is wide open and even though they have the second best odds they are my top choice to win the division. They should zoom past their win total too. This is the year it comes together.

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.