2014 Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day 2014: 5 Reasons to Be Excited

Sep 21, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Dustin McGowan (29) pitches during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

1) Dustin McGowan– By all accounts, the first round pick of 2000 is healthy and ready to enter the starting rotation for the first time since 2008 where he made 19 starts. The fact that we are even talking about McGowan joining the rotation is a bit of a surprise. If J.A. Happ and others hadn’t pitched themselves out of the conversation, Dustin would be headed to the bullpen. Yet, here we are. According to Baseball-Reference.com, he pitched well this spring. Although it is a VERY small sample size (7 innings), Dustin struck out 7 while walking 3. The numbers are irrelevant for him, though. The Blue Jays wanted to stretch him out to see if he can handle increased innings. To his credit, Dustin was adamant that he could and should be a starter. He was determined to convince the team that he could handle the load of starting; that his arm won’t spontaneously combust. The Blue Jays were concerned with his durability since Dustin has a history of injuries longer than his tantalizing right arm. He has had surgery to repair his rotator cuff, labrum in his shoulder as well as injuries to his oblique and knee. Adding up all of his injuries, one would wonder if his body will hold up to the rigors of pitching hopefully 170 innings. Yet, everyone and their dog has been pulling for Dustin to regain his health and return to his previous form. Everyone loves a feel good story. Sportsnet’s Mike Wilner gives us some good news about McGowan’s reentry into starting:

Look for fans to be cheering loud and proud when he makes his first start of 2014 against the New York Yankees in the first  home series of the season. Hopefully, it will be the first of many…25 would be nice.

Mar 29, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) pitches in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

2) Home Grown Talent– Depending on how the starting rotation fairs this season, we could be looking at the potential of seeing one (or both) of Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman making their MLB debut. This is the first time in a long time that fans can get excited about players drafted and developed by the Blue Jays. By all accounts, these young studs are the real deal and are chomping at the bit to break through the doors of the big league club house. Each of them has work to do to polish their game, but if they can, fans should expect big things from them. Stroman had a bit of a rough spring in comparison to the hype and excitement that ushered his way into Florida. It looks as though he’ll start in the AAA Buffalo Bisons rotation. Sanchez was a pleasant surprise this spring giving everyone a taste of what he can do. The Blue Jays made the right decision in not following the idea of “taking the best team North” with Sanchez. Likely, he could pitch for the big league club, but he lacks the experience. It is best to let him develop for a bit longer at AA New Hampshire. If he can maintain his sheen, he’ll be forcing the Jays into having to bring him up anyway. With Stroman and Sanchez on the cusp of being given a shot at the big league club, fans will have plenty of reason to follow Blue Jays’ pitching this season.

Mar 19, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) doubles in the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

3) Health!– As of right now, the Blue Jays are healthy. Casey Janssen has been placed on the 15day DL, but it doesn’t seem to be something that will be prolonged. Jose Reyes had his hamstring flair up, but it won’t put him on the DL…yet. Aside from those minor issues, the Blue Jays are healthy. Melky Cabrera is tumor free and able to run. And, he has been raking this spring! Brandon Morrow appears to be good to go looking terrific in his last spring start against the New York Mets. Jose Bautista looks like he’s back to his old ways hitting the ball hard. Brett Lawrie hasn’t taken a dive into any camera wells. Edwin Encarnacion‘s wrist is fine. He’s managed to escape a couple ugly hit by pitches this spring without inury. R. A. Dickey is over his neck/back issues. Mark Buehrle is…wait, he never gets hurt. It looks like fans will finally get the chance to see what this team, the team that was picked to win it all last season, can actually do.

Mar 19, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins (17) throws to first base during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

4) Improved Defense– Last season’s terrible start was caused by really bad defense. There wasn’t much improvement throughout the year as the Blue Jays tried to use patchwork ideas to stop the insanity. It wasn’t until Ryan Goins came up to play second base that the infield seemed to perform respectably. Goins will not hit a ton (he hit .177 this spring), but that is not why he is the starting second baseman. He brings solid defense. Some may question whether he can perform at a high level for a full season considering he only played 34 games last season. The response is simple: if he doesn’t, there are players ready to take his spot. Players like Maicer Izturis. So…um…yeah…Go Goins! As well, with a healthy squad, the Blue Jays over all defense is much improved. Melky Cabrera can actually run after a ball in left. Brett Lawrie will be on the field to drop jaws on a regular basis. He’s got a Gold Glove coming his way. Did we mention that the Blue jays also added on defense at the catcher position with Dioner Navarro? Watching the Jays field the ball may actually be a treat this season. That would be a welcome change.

Mar 22, 2014; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) hits a home run during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

5) 3-4 Punch– The Blue Jays will run out quite possibly the best 3-4 combination there is. Batting Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion together is enough to make fans drool. Think about their potential impact! Since 2010 they’ve combined for 268 HR and 685 RBI. And, they’ve each missed time due to injuries. Assuming health (yeah, yeah, we get it) these two sluggers have Reyes and Cabrera in front of them. The possibility for more other worldly numbers is huge! It is not out of the realm of possibility that they each hit 35 HR and drive in 100. Fans would take that any day. Expect Rogers Centre to be full of thunder!

Every team in baseball has a list of “what ifs” and “maybes” heading in to every season. 2014 is no different for the Toronto Blue Jays. If all goes right, they’ll be right in the thick of a tight AL East. Fans will be treated to some really exciting baseball. These are just 5 reasons for fans to come out or tune in to Blue Jays baseball.

Feel free to add your opinion to the list below.

OK. Enough talk. Let’s play ball!