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Blue Jays: Looking back at the Blue Jays in Montreal series

By Brendan Panikkar

Mar 28, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) is congratulated by catcher Russell Martin (55) after he hit a home run during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA;Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) is congratulated by catcher Russell Martin (55) after he hit a home run during the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Spectrum Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

2015 – Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Friday, April 3rd, 2015 – Reds 2, Blue Jays 0

Blue Jays lineup:

  1. Jose Reyes – SS
  2. Russell Martin – C
  3. Jose Bautista – RF
  4. Edwin Encarnacion – DH
  5. Josh Donaldson – 3B
  6. Dalton Pompey – CF
  7. Justin Smoak – 1B
  8. Kevin Pillar – LF
  9.  Devon Travis – 2B

SP – Mark Buehrle

Saturday, April 4th, 2015 – Blue Jays 9, Reds 1

  1. Jose Reyes – SS
  2. Russell Martin – C
  3. Jose Bautista – RF
  4. Edwin Encarnacion – 1B
  5. Josh Donaldson – 3B
  6. Dioner Navarro – DH
  7. Dalton Pompey – CF
  8. Kevin Pillar – LF
  9. Devon Travis – 2B

SP – Daniel Norris

This edition of the Blue Jays in Montreal series had much more of a Canadian field with Joey Votto, Russell Martin, and Dalton Pompey all playing in their home country. It was a nice Canadian touch, but especially for Russell Martin who is from Montreal.

For the second straight year, Montreal baseball fans got to see Mark Buehrle take the Olympic Stadium mound on the Friday night of the series. The Saturday starter was of big intrigue to Blue Jays fans. That was Daniel Norris, who was part of the Blue Jays youth movement that would begin the 2015 season.

After Buehrle pitched, Matt Boyd, Liam Hendriks, Todd Redmond, Aaron Loup, and Brett Cecil followed. On Saturday, Miguel Castro, Roberto Osuna, Colt Hynes, Luis Perez, Marco Estrada, and Taylor Cole all followed Norris. Note some of the names here. Osuna now finds himself as a top of the line closer and Marco Estrada pitched out of the bullpen. Estrada is now starting Opening Day 2017 against the Baltimore Orioles.

The youth movement mentioned above was the storyline to begin the 2015 season. Daniel Norris, Aaron Sanchez, Dalton Pompey, Roberto Osuna, Miguel Castro, and Devon Travis all made the Opening Day roster as rookies. It was unheard of, but GM Alex Anthopolous and Manager John Gibbons had their hands forced based on dominant springs from each.

As the season progressed, Miguel Castro, Daniel Norris, and Dalton Pompey ended up not staying around in the majors for long. Devon Travis and Aaron Sanchez both ended up on the DL. Travis did not come back, after starting the season as the MLB Rookie of the month for April. Sanchez missed a few weeks to return in the bullpen instead of starting. Roberto Osuna took the closer’s role and ran with it.

The Montreal series ended up being the beginning of what would be a special season. The Blue Jays offense was historically good. Names who pitched in the Montreal series ended up being traded for massive pieces at the 2015 deadline. Norris and Boyd (and Jairo Labourt) ended up being traded for David Price. Miguel Castro ended up being traded along with Jose Reyes, Jeff Hoffman, and Jesus Tinoco for Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.

The Blue Jays after making those trades, ended up going on to win the AL East and clinch their first playoff spot since 1993. They ended up coming within 2 games of going to the World Series and Josh Donaldson won the AL MVP. The Montreal in Toronto series started what ended up being a dream season for the Blue Jays.

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