Blue Jays: Looking back at the last 10 Opening Day starters and lineups

Playoff Baseball Returns

• 2015 – Drew Hutchison at New York Yankees – Win 6-1

Blue Jays 2015 Opening Day Lineup:

• C – Russell Martin
• 1B – Edwin Encarnacion
• 2B – Devon Travis
• 3B – Josh Donaldson
• SS – Jose Reyes
• LF – Kevin Pillar
• CF – Dalton Pompey
• RF – Jose Bautista
• DH – Dioner Navarro

2015 was supposed to be the year where Marcus Stroman began a string of Opening Day assignments in a row, but a torn ACL during spring training delayed that a year. Instead, it was 2014 standout Drew Hutchison who got the honour of pitching Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. The Opening Day, ESPN televised game didn’t scare Hutchison who threw 6.0 innings allowing one run.

On this day, the Josh Donaldson era began. Donaldson was held hitless, but Edwin Encarnacion and Devon Travis both hit home runs to back Hutchison’s start. Newcomer Russell Martin also knocked in two runs. The guy who was supposed to be the Opening Day starter in Stroman, returned in September to anchor a rotation with David Price that saw the Blue Jays win the AL East crown.

For the first time in over 20 years, the Blue Jays finally made the playoffs in 2015. Unfortunately they fell short in six games to the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. The magical 2015 season began with Drew Hutchison getting the Opening Day nod. Who could have imagined at the time what would become of this season?

• 2016 – Marcus Stroman at Tampa Bay Rays – Win 5-3

Blue Jays 2016 Opening Day Lineup:

• C – Russell Martin
• 1B – Chris Colabello
• 2B – Ryan Goins
• 3B – Josh Donaldson
• SS – Troy Tulowitzki
• LF – Michael Saunders
• CF – Kevin Pillar
• RF – Jose Bautista
• DH – Edwin Encarnacion

Marcus Stroman finally got his much anticipated Opening Day assignment. The Blue Jays, who were fresh off a deep playoff run were one of six teams (three games total) that were chosen for the three Sunday Opening Day games to feature them on national television. Marcus Stroman didn’t disappoint. He threw two batters into the 9th inning this day and ultimately allowed three earned runs over 8.0 innings.

Chris Archer laboured over 5.0 innings where he allowed two earned runs but struck out 12 batters. The Blue Jays got to Archer early and Troy Tulowitzki provided insurance in the 8th with a two run home run off Ryan Webb. The Blue Jays went on to qualify for the first wildcard spot where they defeated the Baltimore Orioles, swept the Texas Rangers, and once again, lost in the ALCS. 2016 was an exciting season, but we now move more to the present day, which involves the loss of two franchise icons.