2014 – New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Friday, March 28th, 2014 – Blue Jays 5, Mets 4
Blue Jays lineup:
- Jose Reyes – SS
- Melky Cabrera – LF
- Jose Bautista – RF
- Edwin Encarnacion – 1B
- Adam Lind – DH
- Dioner Navarro – C
- Colby Rasmus – CF
- Brett Lawrie – 3B
- Ryan Goins – 2B
SP – Mark Buehrle
Saturday, March 29th, 2014 – Blue Jays 2, Mets 0
Blue Jays lineup:
- Jose Reyes – SS
- Melky Cabrera – LF
- Adam Lind – 1B
- Edwin Encarnacion – DH
- Dioner Navarro – C
- Brett Lawrie – 3B
- Colby Rasmus – CF
- Moises Sierra – RF
- Ryan Goins – 2B
SP – Brandon Morrow
The Blue Jays sent Mark Buehrle and Brandon Morrow to the mound in the first ever installment of the Blue Jays in Montreal series, in his final tuneup before the season began. Buehrle threw 4 Buehrle-like innings allowing 2 earned runs on 4 hits, while walking 1 and striking out 2. Morrow threw a gem going 5.2 innings, allowing just 2 hits, 2 base on balls and struck out 8 batters.
Following Buehrle in order was Casey Janssen, Sergio Santos, Marcus Stroman, and Jeremy Jeffress. When looking back at the pitchers who threw in this game, it is very interesting to see how their careers have gone from then until current day. Janssen and Santos are both out of the majors. Just 2 seasons later, Marcus Stroman started Opening Day for the Blue Jays. Jeremy Jeffress ended up barely making the Blue Jays roster. Jeffress then went on to eventually be a dominant closer for the Milwaukee Brewers and ended up with the Texas Rangers in a deadline trade.
In the Saturday installment after Morrow’s solid 5.2 innings, Aaron Loup, Steve Delabar, and Aaron Sanchez each pitched. Loup has had some very inconsistent and disappointing seasons but is likely to crack the Blue Jays Opening Day roster in 2017. Delabar was coming off an all-star 2013 season. 2014 and beyond ended up being a trainwreck for Delabar and he now finds himself struggling to keep an MLB level job. Aaron Sanchez ended up becoming the AL ERA leader just two seasons after his very impressive 2014 spring training.
In terms of some standout offensive performances from the weekend, fans were treated to 2 Blue Jays long balls courtesy of Jose Bautista and Melky Cabrera. Cabrera ended up going on to have a very nice 2014 campaign, being worth 2.5 wins above replacement.
The Blue Jays proceeded to finish the season 83-79. However, up until early July, the Jays found themselves in 1st place. Until mid-August, the Blue Jays had themselves in a wild-card position. Ultimately, the stand pat deadline resulted in a very disappointing finish and they missed the post-season. It was a season of serious hope but ended up in disappointment and no post-season.