Toronto Blue Jays top Yankees, remain undefeated

The Toronto Blue Jays started their 2015 season off on the right foot, defeating the New York Yankees 6-1.  Unexpected Opening Day starter Drew Hutchison continued his strong Spring Training with a quality start, chucking 6.0 innings of 1-run ball, allowing just 3 hits.  Edwin Encarnacion and Devon Travis highlighted the offense with two deep flies over the left field fence.

Game Notes:

had the right thinking at the plate, making solid contact to right field in each of his first two at-bats.

chased down the first in the gap, while his second faded just foul.  Pompey added a late walk and stolen base.  With Yankee Stadium and Fenway park in the regular circuit, pulling the baseball could earn Pompey some surprise home runs in 2015.

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The bottom 3 of Pompey, Pillar and Travis went 3-9 with 3 walks, 3 runs and an RBI.  Add in a stolen base from Pompey, and this is exactly what the Blue Jays will need from their bottom 3 throughout 2015.  With a powerful top-5 to their order, the performance of these three hitters will play a huge role in Toronto’s success.

Apr 6, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) and first baseman

(10) celebrate scoring during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

MVJ:  The inaugural Most Valuable Jay of 2015 goes to second baseman Devon Travis.  If Travis can provide some offense from the bottom of the order and stay above water defensively, which he should, this roster could really click.

Travis took an impressive walk in his first MLB plate appearance, then connected with a no-doubt home run for his first Major League hit in the 7th inning.  His final AB resulted in a walk, as well.  Travis is fun to watch, easy to like and very skilled at putting the fat part of the bat on the baseball.  If he continues to make flush contact, he could flirt with 12 home runs in his rookie season.

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