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

Taking a look back, and ahead, at the Toronto Blue Jays’ annual 2 game series to finish the spring season, played in Montreal, former home of the Expos.

It’s almost time to get the marathon underway for the Toronto Blue Jays and 29 of the other ball clubs around the MLB. The grind of 162 is upon us. The only thing standing in our way is a weekend series in Montreal, Quebec, Canada for the Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Montreal is on the burner of discussions right now for a big reason thanks to a report that surfaced yesterday. Montreal-based investors have reportedly met the conditions set forth by the MLB that would be the first step to getting a team back in Montreal. The Expos’ final season in the MLB came in 2004. They relocated the season after to Washington to become the Washington Nationals.

Whether the surfaced report has any true meaning remains to be seen, but Toronto media personality for Sportsnet, Stephen Brunt, says that it’s not anything immediate, and obviously still has a long way to go before turning into something legitimate and real.

The other reason Montreal is going to be brought up a bunch over the next few days is because the Blue Jays and Pirates will kick off the 4th edition of the Blue Jays in Montreal exhibition series, which has become a weekend many Canadians look forward too. Montreal, and to an extension, Ottawa-based baseball fans get to see 2 almost real baseball games in the comfort of their own backyard, while Toronto-based fans make the 6-hour trek down the 401 to Olympic Stadium for the weekend.

I wanted to write this piece highlighting the previous 3 installments of the Blue Jays in Montreal series. The weekend is always memorable with great ceremonies honouring the history of baseball in Montreal.

I will then preview the upcoming 2 game mini series between the Blue Jays and Pirates to give fans a sense of what to expect over the weekend. Regardless, all of those attending the games should be in for a 4th straight treat!

2014 – New York Mets vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Friday, March 28th, 2014 – Blue Jays 5, Mets 4

Blue Jays lineup:

1. Jose Reyes – SS
2. Melky Cabrera – LF
3. Jose Bautista – RF
4. Edwin Encarnacion – 1B
5. Adam Lind – DH
6. Dioner Navarro – C
7. Colby Rasmus – CF
8. Brett Lawrie – 3B
9. Ryan Goins – 2B

SP – Mark Buehrle

Saturday, March 29th, 2014 – Blue Jays 2, Mets 0

Blue Jays lineup:

1. Jose Reyes – SS
2. Melky Cabrera – LF
3. Adam Lind – 1B
4. Edwin Encarnacion – DH
5. Dioner Navarro – C
6. Brett Lawrie – 3B
7. Colby Rasmus – CF
8. Moises Sierra – RF
9. 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.

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.

2017 – Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Tomorrow the Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates will kick off the 4th edition of the Blue Jays in Montreal series, and it is sold out yet again. Everyone is talking about how much of a success the series has been the past 3 years and it’s true. It’s always a buzzing atmosphere and it’s a big tease for baseball fans as it feels like regular season ball.

Like the 2015 matchup with the Reds, this year’s edition with the Pirates will have a Canadian flavour. Starting for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night is Jameson Taillon, who is Canadian. A nice tough to have Taillon to start the game for the Pirates. Starting the game for the Blue Jays is Marcus Stroman, who last pitched in Montreal in relief in 2014. Full circle for Marcus Stroman when referring to this series.

On Saturday afternoon, Montreal fans will get to see Chad Kuhl for the Pirates against former Pirates Opening Day starter, Francisco Liriano. Liriano will be making his final start of the spring and he has looked superb. Liriano has struck out 25 batters in 14.1 innings this spring. His command has been good and he’s looked in line with the plate. A full season of Liriano instead of R.A Dickey could be a massive x-factor for the team in 2017.

Projected regulars who are new faces for the Blue Jays in the Montreal series include Steve Pearce, Kendrys Morales, and Liriano. Pearce and Morales will get their first taste of how the Blue Jays are not just Toronto’s team, but Canada’s team too.

For all fans attending this weekend’s games in Montreal, enjoy them. They are a nice celebration for the history of baseball in Montreal and baseball in Canada. These fans that attend the games in Montreal could see the very beginning of what could be a third straight special season for the Blue Jays.

Next: Blue Jays' Pillar making a case to move up in the order