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Toronto Blue Jays Season Predictions | 2013 Season Betting Preview

2013 MLB Team Preview: Toronto Blue Jays

So all you Blue Jays fans wanted management to make a splash eh? How’s adding Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera, R.A. Dickey in the offseason.

Odds to Win AL East: +160
Odds to Win World Series: 7/1

The Jays are poised to be one of the most improved teams this year with perhaps the best starting rotation in the Bigs and with a Batting Order that has been beefed up substantially. Expectations are sky high for this team and rightfully so!

Probable lineup

1. Jose Reyes, SS
2. Melky Cabrera, LF
3. Jose Bautista, RF
4. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
5. Colby Rasmus, CF
6. Brett Lawrie, 3B
7. Adam Lind, DH
8. J.P. Arencibia, C
9. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B

For the Jays, the offense should be good – maybe not at the level of a Detroit Tigers but certainly in that second tier of teams. Melky Cabrera provides a superb threat ahead of arguably the best power hitter in the game Jose Bautista while Jose Reyes, Emilio Bonifacio and Cesar Izturis provide a speed element that few AL teams possess. The question marks surround the health of Bautista and whether or not Edwin Encarnacion can build on his amazing 2012. With Colby Rasmus and Brett Laurie now down the lineup, the Jays have a threat in every spot in the order.

Probable rotation

1. R.A. Dickey
2. Brandon Morrow
3. Josh Johnson
4. Mark Buehrle
5. Ricky Romero
ALT: J.A. Happ

Ricky Romero – a fifth starter? It is incredible to see that the once considered ace of the staff is now the fifth starter! A.J. Happ would be a starter on almost any other team but is relegated to Alternate because of the talent in the rotation. The Jays have inning-eaters in the rotation and some of the best young arms in the game. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

A Blue Jays weakness has become an immense strength with the offseason moves!

Bullpen

Closer: Casey Janssen
Setup: Sergio Santos, Steve Delabar
Lefty specialist: Darren Oliver

The Blue Jays bullpen is arguably the most intriguing part of this team ahead of this season. Casey Janssen had a breakout 2012 and should fulfill the closer role with Sergio Santos, the closer entering last season returns from injury in a set-up role with the team. Toronto has some good arms in the pen. Although they haven’t established themselves as elite quite yet the hope is that the starters make it much easier on the late-inning specialists.

Notable bench players

IF Maicer Izturis, OF Rajai Davis, C Henry Blanco

The Jays bench isn’t exactly stacked but there are some nice pieces that could fill in occasionally – led by Rajai Davis who had a break out campaign last year. Toronto could use a few more bats off the bench but if healthy, these fill-in players will be a minor part of the game-plan.

Betting Prediction:

Toronto has been built to win the World Series this year – anything short would be a disappointment. The oddsmakers love them and so do I. Any perceived weakness is just that – perceived! They have some injury risks for sure but the depth should keep this team from dropping off if an injury or two plagues them. The Jays will need Melky Cabrera to retain his pre-suspension form and they will need the bullpen to be better than they were last year.

Do I trust Edwin Encarnacion to have another monster year? Not really. But I do expect Colby Rasmus to be improved and I do love the energy that Brett Lawrie brings to this club. In a declining AL East Division, the playoffs look like a shoe-in for this team – and AL East title should be theirs.

Once in the playoffs it is all about pitching and a look at the arms that Toronto has, you absolutely have to love their chances.

Bottom Line: The Blue Jays finish first in the AL East and go on to lose the World Series in six games.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.